Memorial Resolution: Dr. James L. Pendleton

by Marlyn F. Smith

James L. Pendleton was a man of principle. The principles that guided his life were the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ in His Threefold Word. In his journey from this world to the next he strove to apply the principles from those teachings in his home, in his work, in his service to the community, on the Academy Corporation and Board, and in every aspect of his life. In the Memorial Adress at the Cathedral on June 10, 2007, which was delivered by the Rev. Don Rose, his good friend and classmate, Don described him as a man of “sterling character” and stated, “It may be old-fashioned but it accurately speaks of Jamie’s nature.”

James was born on March 11, 1931. He was the younger son of Philip and Doris Pendleton and the older brother of present Board member, Gael Coffin. He graduated from the Academy Boys School in 1949, received an Associates Degree from the Academy College in 1951, completed his undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1953, and then obtained his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1957. He was elected President in his senior year.

On December 22, 1956 James married Julie deMaine, who had been a classmate at Bryn Athyn College. Three sons were born of that marriage, Seth, Benjamin and Hugh, and two daughters, Jessica Rose and Marah Boyesen. It gave him great delight when his daughter Jessie married Greg, the oldest son of his good friend, Don Rose. He was also pleased that Greg, after a distinguished teaching career at the Air Force Academy, joined the Bryn Athyn College faculty and moved to Bryn Athyn with three of his seven grandchildren. In the sphere of love of the Church and the Academy created by Jamie and Julie in their home, it is also not surprising that their daughter Marah married a young man who is also a teacher at the Academy on the Boys School faculty.

After graduation from medical school, James began a residency in pathology at the University of Pennsylvania. However, that was soon interrupted in the fall of 1957, when he received his call into the military service. Doctors were not exempt, were in demand, so he spent fours years in the military service, most of which time he was stationed in Newfoundland. After he was discharged, he returned to the Penn Medical School to complete his residency in pathology, a two-year program. Even though by this time he had decided that he wanted to pursue a degree and practice in psychiatry, he felt he had made a commitment to the pathology residency and so he completed it. He said that it gave him a good background for his chosen field. After three more years of study, internship and residency, he obtained his degree and license to practice psychiatry, and so began his private practice at age 35.

James was motivated by a strong desire to help individuals with their mental and emotional problems. His goal was not to acquire riches, but rather to serve human beings and to help them through troubled times in their lives. He saw that a need existed to help people with their mental health problems so that they could meet the challenges that we all face on our spiritual journey.

From the words of two doctors, with whom he worked at Abington Hospital, both of whom spoke at the gathering after James’ memorial service, there is no doubt that he was well respected by his peers in the medical profession. He devoted significant time and energy to working with the Medical Association to improve the quality of practice. Prior to his retirement in 1997, he had become active in the work of the Association of American Physicians. After his retirement, he continued to work with the Association and founded and became President of the Pennsylvania Chapter. The primary objective of the Association was the preservation of the private practice of medicine and opposition to the movement and trend toward socialization. As President of the Pennsylvania Chapter, he developed a medical savings plan that became a model for the National Association and prompted several physicians to promote the designation of the plan as the Pendleton Plan, in recognition of the work done by Dr. James Pendleton.

James was elected to the Academy Corporation in October of 1970, and elected to its Board of Directors at Charter Day in 1987. He served three full terms, retiring in 1997. His faithful attendance at the Board meetings and his calm participation in the deliberations, in which he strove to apply the principles that guided his life, were appreciated. That same principle was reflected in his participation on the committees on which he served, both as a Board and Corporation member.

I move the adoption of this Memorial Resolution by the Corporation and recommend that it be made part of the record of this meeting, with copies distributed to Dr. Pendleton’s immediate family with our affection and appreciation.