Dr. Thaddeus "Ted" Henry Penar died Monday at his home in West Chester.

Born in 1920 in Lyndora, he was the youngest boy of 11 children.

He graduated from Butler High School, where he ran the 100, 220 and 440 dashes and the one-mile relay and played halfback on the football team.

Ted entered Grove City College in 1938 as a student-athlete, where he sprinted for the track team and played halfback for the football team.

There he met his wife, Marie McMunigle, who sat beside him in shorthand class. The couple graduated in June 1942 from Grove City College and were married June 4, 1946. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary shortly before Marie's passing on July 5, 2007.

Drafted into the U.S. Army upon college graduation, Ted served as a cryptographer in Burma, India, for 29 months. Using the G.I. Bill, he earned his master's and doctoral degrees in education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Ted taught at Butler High School for five years before joining the Grove City College staff in 1953 as the chair of the Department of Education. From 1953 to 1990, he served in various offices, including professor of education, registrar, vice president for business affairs, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. He founded the Grove City College cross-country team in 1955 and then coached the squad for four seasons.

After 38 years of service, he retired from the college.

Following his retirement from Grove City, he took on another challenge as president of Butler County Community College, a position he held for three years.

Ted received honors both for his contribution to education and to athletics. He was inducted into the Butler Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and again in 2005. He received the 2010 Athletic Heritage Award from Grove City College. Other honors included Outstanding Leadership in Business Education by the Pennsylvania Business Education Association, the Grove City Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Award as Recognition of Service as president, the Jack Kennedy Alumni Achievement Award and the Award of Merit for outstanding contributions to the cause of independent education from Accrediting Commission of the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools.

Ted will be sorely missed by his four children, Nancy, Bob, Martha and Carolyn; nine grandchildren, Connie, Stacy, Russ, Leigh Anne, Emily, Allison, Stephanie, Elaine and Greg; and one great-grandchild DJ.

<B>PENAR</B> — Plans for a memorial service for Dr. Thaddeus "Ted" Henry Penar, who died Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, have not been finalized.Memorial contributions may be sent to a charity of one's choice.Arrangements are being handled by <B>Founds Funeral Home</B>, West Chester, 610-696-0134; and online condolences may be made at www.foundsfuneralhome.com.