Howard M. Phifer

Howard M. Phifer, age 89, of Pennsauken, one of South Jersey's leading educators and an advocate of students' rights, died peacefully on October 16, 2012. During his 32 years as Superintendent of Pennsauken Public Schools, Mr. Phifer initiated major reforms and innovations, including school desegregation, the Burling Magnet School concept, pre-school programs, educational network TV, Learn to Swim, Latch Key care, Satellite Learning, and a comprehensive Special Education Program which served as a model for the State of NJ. He also oversaw the opening of the township's first high school, the building of a new middle school, and the addition of over one hundred elementary classrooms. Mr. Phifer, a proud resident of Pennsauken for over forty years, was born in Woodbury, NJ in 1923, where he attended a two-room schoolhouse in the small farming community of Mantua Grove. He was raised by his grandparents, Gimmie and Big Daddy Phifer, as well as his parents Florence and Allan Phifer. After graduating from Paulsboro High School, he received his BS Degree at Glassboro State Teachers' College now Rowan University and immediately enlisted in the US Marine Corp in 1943. He served as a Marine Photographer during WWII where he was given a Letter of Commendation from the Fleet Admiral for his photography work in the Bikini Bomb Atomic Test Project. After the war, Mr. Phifer returned to South Jersey where he taught in West Deptford Schools, earning a starting salary of just $1, 400 per year. He convinced the beautiful Elizabeth Margaret Elliott to marry him in 1950. He earned his MA in Education from Temple University, and he was an administrator in Deptford Schools. He served as Superintendent of Greenwich Township School for eight years, after which he presided over the Pennsauken Public School District as Superintendent from 1960-1992, when he retired. Mr. Phifer was dedicated to the Pennsauken Schools and community. Because of his outgoing personality, sense of humor and compassion, he earned the love and respect of the citizens, employees, and students of Pennsauken. He attended thousands of school functions over the years-proms, band contests, sporting events, safety patrol trips, Senior Class Trips to Disneyworld, class plays, holiday classroom parties, talent shows, spelling bees-the list is endless. Of all the many honors bestowed on Mr. Phifer, the most meaningful was the renaming of the Pennsauken Middle School to the Howard M. Phifer Middle School. He was surprised, humbled, honored and proud of this tribute. He was also the recipient of the Certificate of Merit from Rowan University in 1984 and the Distinguished Service Award of 1984 from the NJ Association of School Administrators. Mr. Phifer was a devoted life-long Methodist. He was a member of the Mantua Grove Chapel for over 40 years-as a child, a Bible School teacher, and as the superintendent. He chaired the new building committee for Cromwell Methodist Church in Gibbstown and was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Merchantville. Throughout the years, he was active in many service organizations- Boy Scouts of AmericaEagle Scout, 4-H Clubs. NJ State Grange. Lions' Club, Heart Association, W. Leslie Rogers Library Board, 32-degree Masonic Orders, PTA, NJ Council of Education, PHS Athletic Hall of Fame, NEA and NJEA. and Phi Delta Kappa. He also proudly proclaimed himself a liberal Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Phifer traveled extensively through Europe and the islands. As members of the Education Exchange Program, they spent several cold January weeks in Russia. He often spoke to groups about his Russian Experience, usually wearing his tall, distinguished Russian fur hat. Although his activities were confined in recent years, he still enjoyed attending the Pennsauken Retired Educators Annual Luncheon. He was also very touched when a chorale group from Howard M. Phifer Middle School performed for staff and residents at The United Methodist Home in Collingswood, where he and his wife resided. Mr. Phifer lost his beloved and beautiful wife, Elizabeth, in February of 2012. They had been married for 61 years. He was very proud of his loving family. He is survived by his son Howard of Silver Spring, MD who is an attorney for the US Defense Department, his daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Robert Buderman of Pennsauken, both retired teachers. His grandchildren, Frances Elizabeth Buderman, a PhD candidate at Colorado State University, Evan Andrew, a graduate of Bucknell and working on a masters in History, Larissa Ellen, currently a student at Penn State focusing on a career in medicine. He is also survived by his brother Bill Phifer and sister Margaretta Henderson of Mantua Grove, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Roxy. Relatives and friends of the family are kindly invited to attend his Visitation Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9:30 - 11:00 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 36 Maple Ave. Merchantville. Service will be at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations to Trinity United Methodist Church, 36 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville, NJ 08109, would be appreciated. The family offers special thanks to the nursing and support staff at Collingswood Manor, as well as the staff of Samaritan Hospice.

Howard M. Phifer

August 4, 1923 - October 16, 2012