In Memory of Joseph Pynchon Sr - "Papa P"
Joseph Pynchon Sr., La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls' founding headmaster and the man students called "Papa P," died Jan. 2. He was 81.
Mr. Pynchon was headmaster of the school from 1964 until his retirement at the end of the 1990-91 school year. During these years, he mentored over 2,000 students. Each girl who attended this school has a distinct memory of him.
The LP-HSG ohana dearly loved this incredible man. If you would like to post a comment about your memories of Mr. Pynchon, please do so here.
|
MESSAGES FROM THE LA PIETRA FAMILY
|
Friday, June 13, 2008
|
|
Tiffany Eason
,
c/o 1989
|
|
Mr. P was there every morning around 6:00 a.m. to let me in to the courtyard or even his office so that I could do my homework. Coming in from Waialua, it was either get to campus really early or be late every day.
He greeted me with smile and always asked about how things were going. He made me feel that I could do anything and showed as much pride in my accomplishments as my family did. He was truly one of a kind man who had a heart of gold.
|
|
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
|
|
Elise F. Curran Mccue
,
grad 1981
|
|
Reading the messages brought back many great memories. But the funniest "now" is the time some lower class girls were trying to get back on campus, I was a jr. so we could go out for lunch, well on the way back we say these girls and thought we would help, wow. I normally stayed under the radar, we stuck them in my trunk it was big and empty and no one would see them unlike my back seat, well driving in near the music room (when the road went to the left of the music room)remember there was a short 6 inch wall that grew as you drove to the upper parking lot. Guess who was standing there near the soda machine Mr. P. well I guess I was trying to stay as far away from him as possible, because I drove up that wall and ripped my bottom trim off my car. I get out of the car upset at myself, pick up the trim twist it up and .........open the trunk right there with Mr. P. helping me, ouch. I still tell that story to friends, it was my 15 minutes of fame. then I could have found a better word for if, but it's just funny now. I think the girls got in more trouble then I did.
My love and Aloha goes out to the friends and family of this great man, he will be missed but never forgotten, he helped build a great foundation for all the women that were there with him and the women to follow.
Aloha Elise
|
|
Sunday, June 8, 2008
|
|
Karen Amcotts-Werner
,
Alumnae-1973
|
|
We all have many memories of Mr. Pynchon and the many who have made HSG a great place to learn.
Mr. Pynchon tried to teach some of us (in 1972 or 1973) the basics of the Hawaiian language (in his office). He was terrific and he loved every minute of every lesson.
He must have loved his job to be so good at it. He supported our efforts and made us feel like we really belonged.
He promoted the benefactors, faculty, students, alumnae and anyone who participated in making the school a great place to be on a daily basis. He gave, gave and gave from the heart.
Oh...and the mother & daughter tea parties were great too!
He was truly a stable leader with a high level of integrity and perseverance.
Thank you!
|
|
Saturday, June 7, 2008
|
|
Betsy Bond Deniston
,
Class of 1980
|
|
My favorite memories of Mr. P are of when I was (finally!) a senior and I used to go next door from the senior lounge to his office and just shoot the breeze. Our conversations were frequently accompanied by a snack, such as vienna sausages and goldfish crackers which may sound odd but at the time was perfect. I'm sure he had a million other things he could have been doing but he took the time to just "be" and listen to what was going on in my world. This selflessness is a treasured memory.
|
|
Saturday, June 7, 2008
|
|
Sally Bond
,
Class of 1977
|
|
There are 2 most vivd memories of Mr. Pynchon in my mind. The first is when he "busted" a group of us girls smoking cigarettes in the Hau Arbor. You can imagine, and I'm sure the girls that were with me remember, the scene in his office following the "bust". Oh, and he was quitting smoking at the time, too! Unfortunately, the words exchanged cannot be published here. The second is when I was in the back where the torn apart boothes for Children's Fair were being stored and stepped on a nail that went through my slipper and deep into my foot. Mr. Pynchon personally drove me to Fronk Clinic to get it checked out and get a Tetnus shot. These are just two examples among many of the father figure Mr. Pynchon was for us. He had faith in us when many others didn't and it has guided many of us through our lives. He is sorely missed but his guidance and faith will always remain with us! Mahalo Mr. P!
|
|
Thursday, June 5, 2008
|
|
Carrie Oberheu Honeycutt
,
Class of 1988
|
|
Papa P. was so good to me. I will never forget his kindness to me during my troubled teenage years. I started in the 9th grade. At first I did not want to go there, but he made me feel very welcome. I had a troubled home life, but he always had a way of helping me feel "normal" at school. It is because of his kindness and love for all of the students that I was able to graduate from HSG. The world is definitely a better place because of Papa P. He is greatly missed.
|
|
Thursday, June 5, 2008
|
|
Robin Kaye
,
Photography Instructor
|
|
Mr. Pynchon took a big gamble with me, hiring me as the first HSG photography instructor. He asked me to set-up a darkroom, and to teach the girls how to both take and print photographs (remember darkrooms, chemicals and the "magic" of pre-digital photography?) He was always so very supportive -- providing the program with sufficient funds to get it established, treating me like a full-time faculty person, involving me in other school activities. And throughout that period, I watched with awe as he served the girls as a Dad AND Headmaster. He taught me plenty! Aloha, Mr. Pynchon. You are treasured and missed.
|
|
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
|
|
Claudia Botts Janiszewski
,
Class of 1977
|
|
I will forever be grateful to Mr. Pynchon for giving me a chance to have an education and inspiring me to follow my dreams. I entered HSG in my junior year, and was at that point in those wonderful teenage years where going to the beach was much more of a priority then going to school. He took a gamble on me and believed I could succeed, even though my previous grades were horrific, to say the least. I often think how vastly different my life may have turned out if not for his positive influences and words of encouragement. He was good at handing out praise and hugs but was also really great at handing out the much needed verbal "kick in the okole" when needed. His presence will always be in my life and when I'm off encountering wonderful unique cultures around the world, I always stop and say "Tanks eh brah" for instilling into me that through hard work and determination, I can achieve anything I desire. You will be missed but you never will be forgotten.
|
|
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
|
|
Kelly Banks Hoen
,
Class of '75
|
|
I will never forget my first meeting with Mr. Pynchon, I was a very reluctant 14 year old being "forced" by my parents to apply to HSG. The "obligitory" interview was with Mr. Pynchon. Well needless to say he was so awesome. He made me feel so comfortable and excited with the possibilites of who I could become that it was an easy decision to go to HSG.
There is no doubt that he shaped all of our lives, with love, compassion, and humour and mentored us to become successful women today.
I now am very excited that next year 2008/2009 my youngest daughter Marissa will be an 8th grade student at La Pietra. Although Mr. Pynchon won't be present in her immediate life as a student at HSG, his leagcy will live on in the stories I will share with my daughter as she attends.
Thank you Mr. Pynchon for all you did for the Class of '75.
|
|
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
|
|
Abbie Kozik
,
Class of '76
|
|
Mr. Pynchon taught me to create stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
He treated every one like family. When you were good he praised you and when you were bad he scolded you...just like a Dad!
He was a generous, kindhearted, akamai, good guy. After I graduated and whenever he'd run into my parents, he'd ask what I was up to. And, he'd send me a note, from time to time. I always thought how lucky I am to have him as a mentor. How many people can say that about their high school headmaster, let alone know their headmaster?
|
|
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
|
|
Susan Kelleher
,
Class of 1991
|
|
Mr. P as I called him was a wonderful example and support system for me as I was attending HSG. He made me feel I could do anything and always gave out compliments when deserved. My greatest memory of him was when he stood outside his home for 5 hours during the Honolulu Marathon. I was running and he came out to cheer on the runners, not knowing I was one of them. He seemed so proud of me. I was in seventh grade then and it took me five hours and thirty minutes to finish. As I returned on the same path past his house,going towards the finish line four miles away, he was still there and that was so incredible to me. I couldn't believe he waited for me. I was so young then, very slow, and determined to finish this crazy race. I know he helped me do that and I will always remember his smiling,proud face as I ran by him!
|
|
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
|
|
Anniel
,
Alumna
|
|
What a wonderful man Mr. P was and he is greatly missed. However, his legacy lives on in all of us.
|
|
May 14, 2008
|
|
pii
,
Student, Alumnae
|
|
Papa P was our second DAD. Although I hadn't seen him in decades, he always owned a special place in my heart, and I shed a tear when hearing of his passing. God indeed needed another angel.
Papa P made us believe that we could accomplish anything in life. Most importantly he listened to us!
He was a true leader. There is no one like him. Mahalo Pynchon Ohana for sharing your Dad with us.
|
|
March 2, 2008
|
|
Catie
,
Student, Alumnae
|
|
I could not have imagined a better place to be during my school years than with Mr. Pynchon and H.S.G. I was fortunate enough to have attended this great school from 1985 til 1991, Mr. Pynchon's last year!! I felt honored that he chose our class to be his final moments. He was always there for you when you needed something and yet was always stern with you when you needed the guidance. You brought out the best in us and you watched us grow into beautiful women so proudly. You were the best Mr.P and I will always be thankful for my time with you. I pray we meet again. Condolences to Mrs. P and family.
|
|
January 31, 2008
|
|
tina hodge
,
Student, Alumnae
|
|
My heart weighs heavy today after learning of Mr. Pynchon's passing. I am mourning a great man. I have carried admiration for him since our paths crossed while I attended HSG from 1984-1986. Mr Pynchon had such a commanding presence and yet unmatched compassion. His compassion for our family when my mother became terminally ill was nothing short of remarkable. He made sure that we were taken care of before any other interests. He calmed my mother in her illness by assuring her that I would be allowed to continue to go to school even while medical bills forced us from our home and eventually from the school and the islands. He never judged us, or demanded tuition payment. He never let it be known to others, or embarassed us. He let us continue to have security in knowing I was safe within the confines of La Pietra and would have one stable environment while everything else around us spiraled out of control. I cherished my time at La Pietra and have remained grateful for those moments, especially the one's on borrowed time. We lost everything in those times, our business, our home, and eventually my mother too. I often visit the HSG site to reflect on those beautiful and sorrowful times. I have often wished during these reflective times that I could express how monumental Mr. Pynchon was to me and extend my extreme gratitude to him persoanlly. I am regretful that I waited too long. I have no doubts that there is a greater void in the world because he longer walks amoung us. I am sure my mother will express to him in her own words though how important his actions were to our family.
|
|
January 15, 2008
|
|
Lisa Miller
,
Student, Alumnae
|
|
Mr. Pynchon, amongst other names, most affectionately Papa P, you will be missed. Patient, kind, thoughtful,loving, and fatherly only touch the surface of what you meant to me. As a confused girl living away from home, you consoled and counseled me on a number of occasions- mind you never when you felt I needed it, but rather when I came to you; Your timing was impeccable! The Mother-Daughter teas and Father-Daughter BBQ's gave me the chance to smooth out my rough edges and taught me about refinement, including not walking between two people when they are talking. Your energy was limitless. I can't remember the number of times where I would return for something I had forgotten or after an event and find you still in your office. We appreciate your sacrifice (and your family's)that was to our benefit. Every girl was special and your modeling taught us how to meet your expectations. Every seed could grow into something unique and we all owe our understanding of fulfilling this to you. Your words were deliberate and meant everything to us, including your note written in my yearbook at the end of my senior year about being a "good girl." Although simple, this one thought guided my principals and values afterwards and even now to meet your opinion of me. Thank you for your unswerving faith in me- in all of us! Aloha, Papa P.. We wish you fair winds and following seas on your voyage. Lisa Miller Simmerman ('76).
|
|
January, 2008
|
|
Kent Roller
,
Webmaster
|
|
Speak my name, and I shall live!
-Tutankhamun
|
|
End
of personal messages
|
