Stephen Dunbar, 64; led school's library and media center
Stephen Dunbar, 64, of Moorestown, who retired in 2014 as head of the library and media center at John Witherspoon Middle School in Princeton, died of complications from Lewy body dementia, on Sunday, March 13, at home.
Stephen Dunbar, 64, of Moorestown, who retired in 2014 as head of the library and media center at John Witherspoon Middle School in Princeton, died of complications from Lewy body dementia, on Sunday, March 13, at home.
Born in Hartford, Conn., Mr. Dunbar graduated from King Low Heywood Thomas, a college preparatory school in Stamford, Conn.
He earned a bachelor's degree in photography at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., in 1976.
After earning master's degrees in video production and in education at Fairfield (Conn.) University, Mr. Dunbar began his teaching career at Moorestown High School in 1979.
In the days before the Internet was common, his wife, Katherine, said, Mr. Dunbar's job as a media specialist was to teach photography, among other things.
He entered Rutgers School of Law-Camden in 1979, but for much of his 10 years there, he was taking classes at night while continuing at the high school.
"He took a sabbatical" from the high school at last, she said, so that at the law school he "finished full time."
Mr. Dunbar joined a law firm, but, after about five years, he left, she said, because "he didn't like the practice of law."
In the mid-1990s, he returned to teaching, this time at Witherspoon in Princeton.
As a media specialist, his wife said, "he teaches computer research."
"They used to be libraries and then became media centers," she said, so like a librarian of the past, but now with computers, "he taught the kids how to do media research."
Still, she said, "he ran the library. He was in charge of buying the materials."
But most of all, she said, "he loved photography."
Richard Ceccarelli, who retired as a director of special education in the Lumberton School District, had known Mr. Dunbar for 35 years.
"We met playing softball here in town," in Moorestown, Ceccarelli said, "and we became immediate friends.
"He was fun-loving. Great sense of humor, kind of quirky, and that endeared him to his friends."
When Ceccarelli would visit him as his health declined, he was surprised Mr. Dunbar "had so many visitors from 20, 30 years ago.
"He was the kind of guy you had to love to be around."
Besides his wife, Mr. Dunbar is survived by son Riley, daughter Margaret Hamilton, two brothers, and a sister.
A visitation was set from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at the Lewis Funeral Home, 78 E. Main St., Moorestown, with a memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at the First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Rd., Moorestown, with private interment.
Donations may be sent to James Baldwin Scholar Program, Hampshire Fund, Hampshire College, 893 West St., Amherst, Mass. 01002.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.
610-313-8134@WNaedele