Roger A. Place; led school districts

Roger A. Place, 68, of Downingtown, a former public school superintendent in Delaware and Montgomery Counties, died of pneumonia Monday, Aug. 23, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., near his summer home.

Born in Worcester Township, Dr. Place graduated in 1960 from Norristown High School and in three years earned a bachelor's degree in business at Ursinus College in 1963.

He began his career at East Norriton Junior High School from 1963 to 1971, working as a teacher and a guidance counselor before becoming principal, said his wife, Nancy.

He earned a master's degree in 1966 and a doctorate in 1971, both in education at Temple University.

Dr. Place was director of secondary education in the public schools of Norfolk, Va., from 1971 until 1974, when he was named superintendent of the Lower Moreland Township School District.

After Lower Moreland, he was superintendent of schools in Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, from 1978 to 1987; in Lancaster from 1987 to 1991; and in the Springfield School District in Delaware County from 1991 to 1999.

After retiring as an administrator, his wife said, Dr. Place was an adjunct professor in 1999-2000 at Immaculata University, where "he taught doctoral-level courses in educational leadership to prospective school superintendents."

He was assistant to the president of Delaware County Community College from 2000 to 2002 and since then had taught courses at Widener University similar to those he had taught at Immaculata.

Besides his wife of 46 years, Dr. Place is survived by sons Roger Jr. and Robert, a brother, and two grandchildren.

A visitation was scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30, at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, 3050 W. Main St., Eagleville, before a funeral service at 11 there.