fred hinsdale

Frederick M. Hinsdale

Frederick M. Hinsdale, of Caledonia died October 8, 2008. Fred was born in Rensselaer Falls, NY on July 8, 1916, the son of Eunice and Ira Hinsdale. He was a proud graduate of St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY. During World War II, Fred served in the United States Navy aboard a destroyer escort seeing action in the Atlantic. After the war, he returned to St. Lawrence to complete his Masters of Science degree and in 1954, he received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Buffalo. Fred began his teaching career in Waterport, NY and then moved on to Kendall. It was while he was teaching at Kendall that he met the love of his life, Phyllis Winslow. They were married on February 18, 1942. After the war, Fred moved to Bergen where he was appointed Principal. The next and final move was to Caledonia-Mumford in August 1951, where he was named District Principal. He remained there for the next 30 years, overseeing the growth of the district and the building of two school buildings. He was always a Red Raider at heart and took great interest and pride in the accomplishments of every student that graduated from CMCS. While there, he was especially proud of establishing a special education program for children which was precipitated by the needs of his son, Bruce, a special needs child. Fred was truly touched when the new high school building was dedicated to him, and the road leading to it was named Hinsdale Way.

Fred was an avid golfer, reader, traveler and crossword puzzle junkie. He loved to engage in conversation about current events and enjoyed nothing better than a good heated exchange of opinions. He was a past president of Stafford Country Club, a member of the Caledonia Country Club, Matthew Cleary Post of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Eunice Lodge, and the Damascus Temple of Western New York.

He was an elder and deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia. He was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis W. Hinsdale, brother Ira C. Hinsdale and sister Susan D. Kurpiewski. He is survived by his sister Marie Kowalchuk of Brasher Falls, NY, daughter Valerie (Gregory) Connor of Mumford, son Bruce W. Hinsdale of Brockport; granddaughters, Jennifer (Jonathan) Martin of Caledonia and Amy (Paul) Stivers of Centennial, CO, four great-grandchildren, Aidan and Gabrielle Martin and Madeline and Donovan Stivers as well as several nieces and nephews and many good friends.

Friends called October 21, 2008 (Tuesday) from 7-9 PM and October 22, 2008 (Wednesday) from 2-5 PM. A Masonic Service was held prior to calling hours on October 21, 2008 (Tuesday) at 6:30 PM at the Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 West Main Street, Caledonia. His Memorial Service was held October 23, 2008 (Thursday) at 7:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 3080 Main Street, Caledonia, NY. Private Military Interment at Mumford Rural Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Frederick M. Hinsdale Scholarship, c/o Cindy Oltmann, 99 North Street, Caledonia, NY 14423.

Community mourns the passing of Fred Hinsdale

   News of former Caledonia-Mumford Central School Superintendent Dr. Frederick Hinsdale’s death on October 8, 2008 saddened many in the Red Raider school family as well as his family and friends outside of the school walls. Dr. Hinsdale served as superintendent at Cal-Mum from 1951 until his retirement in 1981. A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church on October 23 at 7 p.m.

   On Friday, October 10, flags on the school campus were flown at half-mast to honor Dr. Hinsdale’s significant contributions to the school.

   "Our Red Raider family has lost a loved one. Thank you Dr. Hinsdale for what you have done for the Caledonia-Mumford Central School District. May we always remember his legacy. Cal-Mum will always be about children," commented Superintendent of Schools, David V. Dinolfo.

   Dr. Hinsdale came to Caledonia School at the onset of centralization. During the early years of his tenure, he welcomed students from all of the surrounding towns; Mumford, Wheatland, Avon, Clifton and LeRoy to what we now know as Caledonia-Mumford Central School. With the explosion in student enrollment as a result of the centralization, Dr. Hinsdale was instrumental in the planning of constructing an addition onto the historic 1939 school building. It opened in 1953. Two additional buildings have been added to the school campus in 1965 and 1998.

   Dr. Hinsdale was a pillar in the Caledonia community where he lived with his wife Phyllis and children Valerie and Bruce. He was also a pillar in the school where he earned a reputation as an outstanding leader of faculty, staff and students. He was heralded during and after his tenure for his ability to recognize and select the finest teachers to serve on the Caledonia-Mumford faculty. With his outstanding leadership, Caledonia-Mumford earned a reputation for academic excellence that spread far and wide. Dr. Hinsdale was most proud of establishing one of the first special education programs for developmentally disabled children in the country. No doubt, the impetus for his determination was his own son who was able to benefit from Cal-Mum's program and complete his education in his home school district. Since then, hundreds of students have enjoyed the same benefit.

   His service to the Caledonia-Mumford School district was recognized in 1998 when the driveway to the newly built high school was named after him. A plaque honoring him hangs in the foyer of the high school.

   His daughter Valerie Hinsdale Connor says that just days before his death, Dr. Hinsdale had commented to her that the students at Cal-Mum school receive a good education.