Ex-schools chief Pegues dies at 72

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Dr. Robert L. Pegues Jr., the first black superintendent of both Youngstown and Warren city school districts, died Friday.

In a long career in education, Pegues, 72, of Youngstown, served as Youngstown superintendent from 1972 until 1978. He became superintendent in Warren in 1979 and held that post until February 1987, leaving to finish his doctoral dissertation.

In his first year at Youngstown, he set an example for city school administrators by substituting for teachers occasionally, according to Vindicator files.

He presided while during a teachers strike in 1973.

In 1977, he was mentioned as a possible replacement for the retiring state superintendent of public instruction, but said he would turn down the job.

His 41-year-old wife, Marlene, died of leukemia in 1977.

He resigned from Youngstown in 1977, agreeing to stay until August 1978. His contract wasn’t up until 1980.

He was hired as Warren’s superintendent in November 1979.

He ran for Youngstown mayor in May 1989 against Patrick Ungaro, but withdrew from the race.

The Youngstown Board of Education honored him and Dr. Wendy Webb in 2007 as its first black male and female superintendents, publicly presenting their framed portraits.

Calling hours are from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sterling-McCullough Funeral Home, with a special service from 4 to 6 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church on Belmont Avenue.