Dr. Joseph Ralston Henderson

Dr. Joseph Ralston Henderson,  95 years old, a resident of Meadow Ridge, in Willow Street, PA, formerly of New Wilmington, PA, died December 18, 2010. Dr. Henderson was born May 9, 1915 in Elders Ridge, PA, the son of John G. and Sara Kathryn Henderson. He was a graduate of Elders Ridge High School and Indiana University of  Pennsylvania.  He earned his Master’s Degree and a Doctor of Education Degree from New York University. Dr. Henderson was involved in education his whole life. In his early career, he served as a teacher and principal in Indiana, PA County Schools. He was Headmaster of Annville Institute and Principal of Ezel, both mission schools in Kentucky. In 1948 became a Professor at Union College in Barbourville, KY. In 1956 he moved to Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and became Chairman of the Education Department and Director of the Graduate Program. Dr. Henderson was a Visiting Professor at Oxford University in England, he participated in several UNESCO world tours studying comparative education, and he was a delegate to many International Education Congresses. He served as a consultant to the Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt for twenty-five years. Dr. Henderson wrote many articles for both educational and religious publications and he authored four books on his family’s history. During World War II Dr.  Henderson served in the Army, as head of the Army Food Inspection School in New York City. While stationed there, Joe and his wife, Betty, were active in Norman Vincent Peale’s Marble Collegiate Church. He was very active in the New Wilmington United Presbyterian Church until his retirement to Willow Valley near Lancaster, PA in 1987. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg, PA. Dr. Henderson received many national, international, professional, service, and community honors and awards in his lifetime including: Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year, Distinguished Alumni of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Paul Harris Award, Rotary’s highest honor. In 1985 he and his wife endowed a research program for faculty at Westminster College named “The Henderson Lecture Program.” Dr. Henderson loved to travel, camp, fish, and work on his family’s history. His wife Betty preceded him in death on May 14, 2001, after a marriage of 59 years. Survivors include two daughters: Kathryn and husband David Anderson of Pittsburgh, PA; Nancy and husband Daniel Pihlblad of Randolph, NY; two sons: Paul and wife Jane of Shillington, A; and John and wife Margaret of Lodi, NY; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Additionally two brothers, John and his wife Rena, Carl, and a sister Helen and her husband Clinton, survive him. Preceding him in death were two sisters, Martha Allison and Dolly Lyness, and a brother Robert. Funeral Services conducted by Rev. Dr. Tom ones will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg, PA. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Indiana, PA.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Henderson Lecture Fund at Westminster College, 319 South Market Street, New Wilmington, PA 16172. Arrangements by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 717-394-4097, to send an online condolence to the family, visit our website at

www.kasnyderfuneralhome.com