Lawson Pendleton, 83, college leader

Lawson Alan Pendleton, 83, of Bryn Athyn, former president of Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, died of a stroke Tuesday at St. Joseph's Manor in Bethayres.

Dr. Pendleton graduated from the Academy of the New Church Secondary School in Bryn Athyn, where he met his future wife, Marcia Henderson. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in history from the University of North Carolina.

In 1955 he returned to Bryn Athyn and for 11 years taught at the Academy of the New Church Secondary School and at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church. He later taught at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and at Stanford University, where he was on the staff of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace.

In 1973 he was appointed president of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, now Philadelphia University. During his five-year tenure, Dr. Pendleton expanded course offerings and introduced a master's program.

From 1979 to 1981, he was president of Urbana College in Urbana, Ohio.

After years in academia, Dr. Pendleton, an expert in foreign relations, ended his career by working as an analyst for the FBI and for the U.S. Department of State in Washington. It was his way of fulfilling a longtime desire to serve his country, his son Alan said.

In 1942, Dr. Pendleton was about to enlist in the Marine Corps when he lost his left arm in a trucking accident and was deferred from military service in World War II.

His son said that he never thought of his father as having a disability. He could play catch, tie his shoes, and tie a tie, and he played golf and tennis and sailed.

Dr. Pendleton and his wife had lived in Cairnwood Village, a retirement community in Bryn Athyn, since 2000.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a son, Nathaniel; a daughter, Jennifer Redmile; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 900 Cathedral Rd., Bryn Athyn.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grant R. Doering Science Building Fund, Academy of the New Church, Box 708, Bryn Athyn, Pa. 19009.