Leonard W. Pennington, Jr.

Madison - Leonard W. Pennington, Jr. age 80, of Madison, died Friday, October 15, 2010. He was born on April 14, 1930 in Arlington, VA, to Leonard and Selma Pennington. Leonard earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1952, as well as his Masters of Science degree in Applied Psychology in 1954 from the College of William and Mary.

He was proud of his work as a Military Intelligence Specialist for the U.S. Army (1954- 1956) and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. He continued in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1962.

Leonard's significant contributions to the field of school psychology began in 1962 in the Madison area. He was appointed as the 1^st Director for Central WI Colony's Development Evaluation Center (1962- 1963). He then became the Senior Supervising School Psychologist for the Madison Public School District (1963- 1968). During this time, he also directed many summer behavior modification programs - Sauk Centre, MN Div. of Corrections as well as the Oregon School for Girls, WI. He also served as Clinical Psychologist at the Wisconsin Diagnostic Center.

In 1968, Leonard began his noteworthy position as the state-wide Supervisor of School Psychological Services for the Dept. of Public Instruction. It was within this long held position, that he became known both state-wide as well as nationally for his significant contributions to the education, licensing, assessment and training of school psychologists.

During his tenure, he was instrumental in increasing the number of school psychologists within the state. Leonard worked with both university professors and department heads in developing school psychology training programs. He also worked with district superintendents of schools state-wide and their staff in developing and assessing school psychological services.

Leonard set the standards in the field of school psychology when he developed and published The Standards for the Training and Field Placement of School Psychologists while Co-Chairman of the ACT Committee for the National Assoc. of School Psychologists. In 1974 he was also elected as the North Central Regional Director for NASP. His awards were many and include: The highest honor, the Presidential Award, from NASP, Life membership to the WI Council of Administrators of Public Services, Life member of WI School Psych. Association, The Service to Children Award, and The Appreciation Award from the WI School Psych Assoc for outstanding service. In 1971, he was appointed to serve on the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women by WI Governor, Patrick Lucey.

He had leadership roles in areas concerning drop out prevention, AOD issues, early childhood education, the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and suicide prevention. Leonard was often the chosen speaker throughout the country addressing staff at universities and state psych. associations.

Leonard retired in 1989, from DPI, but his life was far more than his significant professional accomplishments. He was the ""rock"" of the Pennington family and known for his calm demeanor. He was always the ""go-to"" guy in times of trouble, and highly respected for his encyclopedic, brilliant intellect. He was often described as a ""walking dictionary"" and was known for reading 12 hours per day. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in madrigal groups in earlier years, was passionate about all aspects of golf, as well as astronomy, fishing, history, alternative energy research and most of all, dedication to his family.

Leonard was first married to Clarice Lotterer. He was later married for 26 years to Lea Giblyn, with whom he remained dear friends until his death. He was the much loved and admired father to four children, Scott of Richmond, IN, Pamela (Robin) Pennington-Marohn of Madison, Christopher (Jennifer) of St. Paul, MN and Meredith of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Aaron, Evan, Christina, Alexander, Quinn and Evelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Matthew.

Visitation will be 10am-Noon, and Memorial Service at 12 Noon on Friday, October 22, 2010 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to later be directed to a charity.