NISKAYUNA, N.Y. – William Runnals Atherton, 83, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, at Ellis Hospital. He was born in Dover-Foxcroft. William attended Colby College before enlisting in the Navy. He received his officers training at Bates College and Northwestern University where he received his commission prior to serving in the Pacific theatre during World War II. After resuming his studies at Colby, he graduated in 1948 with a bachelors degree in physics. William received a master’s degree, in education, in 1960 from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and in 1963 received a master’s degree from Union College in science education. In 1948 he was department chairman and teacher of chemistry and physics at Thornton Academy, Saco, and in 1949 he became principal of the New Marlboro Central School, New Marlboro, Mass. William accepted a position as an analytical engineer with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, Conn., in 1952. In 1954 he became science department chairman and teacher of physics and chemistry at William Hall High School, West Hartford, Conn. In 1959, he became science department head of grades sixth through twelfth in the Niskayuna public schools, later science department supervisor and teacher of honors and advanced placement physics. He retired in January 1986. During the summer of 1966, William was invited to teach at the University of Dacca, Bangladesh. William was a member of the board of examiners for advanced placement physics of the College Examination Board, a consultant of science education and office testing for the New York State Department of Education and a member of the New York State Physics Syllabus revision committee, authoring much of the new state physics syllabus. He also served as president of the Science Teachers Association of the Eastern Zone, president of the local PTA’s and PTA council chairman of the Christian education committee of the First Reformed Church, where he was an elder, deacon and a member of the consistory. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, the Mayfield Yacht Club, Niskayuna Kiwanis and the Schenectady Museum where he volunteered physics demos. He also was involved with Science in the Summer program with the Mohawk Valley Library Association. William was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Virginia Howard Atherton, whom he married Jan. 20, 1945. She died Jan. 16, 2005. He is survived by his children, William R. Atherton Jr. of Greenbelt, Md., Peter R. Atherton of Pittsburgh, Pa., Leslie H. Reed of Scotia and Gail E. Harting of Malta; also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Myles Manning Atherton. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of William’s life 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady with the Rev. Justin Meyer officiating. Memorial donations may be made in William’s memory to the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 8 North Church St., Schenectady, NY 12305.
WILLIAM RUNNALS ATHERTON
