Allan Glatthorn, innovative teacher, principal

Allan Adale Glatthorn, who was a teacher and principal of Abington High School in the 1960s when it won national recognition for innovative programs and academic excellence, died last Wednesday at his home in Washington, N.C. He was 83.

"He made us better people," said Gail Cohen, a theater historian who graduated from Abington High in 1968. "He instilled in us a caring for our nation. All his days, he cared about youth."

In 1964, he spearheaded the founding of Abington High School North Campus for ninth- and 10th-graders.

"He was criticized for riding a purple motorcycle, growing a beard and protesting the war in Vietnam," Gail said, "but North Campus became the premiere school for innovation and excellence."

After leaving Abington High, Glatthorn founded and directed two suburban alternative schools, Alternative East and Alternative West.

Glatthorn, a native Philadelphian, joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania in 1972, becoming director of teacher education and later chairman of the Educational Leadership Department. He retired from there in 1987. He was professor emeritus of East Carolina University, from which he retired in 2003.

Glatthorn was born in Kensington, son of Anna Girvin and Louis Glatthorn. He graduated from Frankford High School and earned three degrees from Temple University. He served in the Army during World War II and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Barbara Parpart; a son, Dale; four daughters, Carolin Dotterer, Laura Vlasits, Louise Mangels and Gwen Apple; five grandchildren, and his former wife, Ruth Kirk.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillside Funeral Service, Washington, N.C. *