Robert Pegues, 1936-2009; a scholar and a gentleman

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If ever there was a man who spoke softly but carried a big stick, it was Dr. Robert L. Pegues — “Bob” to those who knew and respected him. A leading educator in the Mahoning Valley for decades, and a trailblazer in the black community, Pegues personified the very best of our region.

He was kind, gentle, approachable, educated and concerned — about the community he lived in and about the children of the inner city. As a black educator, Pegues understood the value of not just a high school diploma, but of a bachelor’s, master’s and even a doctoral degree in an ever-changing, ever-challenging America.

But Pegues did not let success go to his head. As the first black superintendent of both Youngstown and Warren city school districts, he certainly blazed a trail, but while he was a no-nonsense leader of the urban school districts, he also held tight to his roots as a teacher.

He never missed an opportunity substitute teach, recognizing the importance of molding young minds.

Bob Pegues died Friday at age 72, but his imprint on public education in the Mahoning Valley will remain his legacy.

Six years ago, when Pegues was honored by black educators for his outstanding leadership, Marcia Haire-Ellis, who was hired during Pegues’ tenure as Youngstown superintendent, had this to say about the leader: “We always respected him. We felt he carried himself with dignity, and he made us proud as African-Americans to be teachers with him as our superintendent.”

Richard Atkinson, former Youngstown city councilman and now a member of the Youngstown Board of Education, offered this observation: “He brought character, tenacity, intelligence — all the great attributes you could talk about — to the superintendent’s office. And he loved people and he loved children. He was committed to making a difference in people’s lives.”

Reaction to the announcement of Pegues’ death was just as touching and heartfelt.

Guiding hand

Former Youngstown Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro, who grew up in the Smoky Hollow neighborhood with Pegues, credited the then superintendent for his tenure in education. Pegues appointed Ungaro guidance counselor and head football coach at The Rayen School and then assistant principal at South High School. That became the springboard for Ungaro’s political career, first as a member of city council and then as mayor in 1984. He now is administrator of Liberty Township.

Ungaro described the late superintendent as a special kind of person who treated everyone fairly, but had a special place in his heart for children.

Pegues’ involvement in the lives of young people in the city is illustrated by this story: When South High School teachers complained that students were cutting classes and gathering at a fast-food establishment across the street, Pegues went to the establishment several times. He stood on the corner and told the youngsters to return to school and also talked to the manager of the fast-food restaurant. Problem solved. Every time students cut classes and gathered at the business, the manager sent them back to school.

His quest for knowledge was never-ending. After serving as superintendent in Youngstown from 1972 though August 1978, and as superintendent in Warren from 1979 through February 1987, he completed his doctoral dissertation.

Dr. Robert L. Pegues died Thursday at his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and sarcoidosis.

There is a college scholarship at Youngstown State University that bears his name, and a local group which he started for those who have sarcoidosis, an inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells and causes scar tissue in various organs.