Rex Putnam
Encyclopedia
Rex Putnam was an American
educator from the state
of Oregon
. A former classroom teacher and district superintendent, Putnam served as Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
for nearly 25 years, the longest-serving state school superintendent in Oregon history. Following his retirement in 1961, a new high school in his adopted hometown of Milwaukie, Oregon
was named Rex Putnam High School
in his honor.
, Putnam received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from the University of Oregon
in 1915 and began teaching in Springfield, Oregon
that year. He taught high school science in Tacoma, Washington
for five years before returning to Oregon, where he became superintendent of the Redmond School District
in Redmond
in 1923. He received a master's degree from the University of Oregon in 1929, and in 1932, he was named superintendent of schools in Albany
. He would later receive a doctorate from Lewis & Clark College
in 1945.
Charles A. Howard resigned to become president of Eastern Oregon Normal School
(now Eastern Oregon University), and governor Charles Martin appointed Putnam to replace Howard. In 1938, Putnam was elected to a full term as a Democrat
. In 1942, the position was changed to non-partisan, and Putnam was re-elected five more times, each time unopposed. In his nearly 25 years as state school superintendent, Putnam was an active contributor to academic articles about education and an influential voice for Oregon schools among nationwide educational organizations. During his tenure, Oregon's educational system expanded to include vocational education
programs, special needs
and gifted education
, programs for Native Americans
, along with expanded curriculum and other programs. School funding issues were also a focus of Putnam's tenure. He resigned from office in early 1961 due to health concerns.
, where Putnam lived, was named Rex Putnam High School
in his honor. The school opened in 1963. Putnam died after a short illness in 1967. He and his wife Elinor had two sons, one of whom was killed in action during World War II
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator from the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A former classroom teacher and district superintendent, Putnam served as Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Oregon state government, and acts as administrative officer of the State Board of Education and executive head of the Department of...
for nearly 25 years, the longest-serving state school superintendent in Oregon history. Following his retirement in 1961, a new high school in his adopted hometown of Milwaukie, Oregon
Milwaukie, Oregon
Milwaukie is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. A very small portion of the city extends into Multnomah County. The population was 20,291 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1848 on the banks of the Willamette River, the city, known as the Dogwood City of the West, was incorporated in...
was named Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School is a public high school in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States.-History:The school was named after former Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Rex Putnam....
in his honor.
Early life and career
Born in Buffalo Gap, South DakotaBuffalo Gap, South Dakota
Buffalo Gap is a town in Custer County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 126 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Buffalo Gap is located at ....
, Putnam received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1915 and began teaching in Springfield, Oregon
Springfield, Oregon
Springfield is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Located in the Southern Willamette Valley, it is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Separated from Eugene to the west, mainly by Interstate 5, Springfield is the second-most populous city in the metropolitan area...
that year. He taught high school science in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
for five years before returning to Oregon, where he became superintendent of the Redmond School District
Redmond School District
The Redmond School District is a school district in the U.S. state of Oregon that serves a area in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, including the city of Redmond and the unicorporated communities of Alfalfa, Crooked River Ranch, Eagle Crest, Terrebonne, and Tumalo...
in Redmond
Redmond, Oregon
Redmond is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. Incorporated on July 6, 1910, the city is located on the eastern side of Oregon's Cascade Range, in the High Desert, and is considered the geographical heart of Central Oregon...
in 1923. He received a master's degree from the University of Oregon in 1929, and in 1932, he was named superintendent of schools in Albany
Albany, Oregon
Albany is the eleventh largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, and is the county seat of Linn County. It is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is...
. He would later receive a doctorate from Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College is a private institution of higher learning located in Portland, Oregon. Made up of an undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, a School of Law, and a Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Lewis & Clark is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges with athletic...
in 1945.
Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
In 1937, Oregon Superintendent of Public InstructionOregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Oregon state government, and acts as administrative officer of the State Board of Education and executive head of the Department of...
Charles A. Howard resigned to become president of Eastern Oregon Normal School
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Oregon University is one of seven state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the State of Oregon and belongs to the Oregon University System...
(now Eastern Oregon University), and governor Charles Martin appointed Putnam to replace Howard. In 1938, Putnam was elected to a full term as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. In 1942, the position was changed to non-partisan, and Putnam was re-elected five more times, each time unopposed. In his nearly 25 years as state school superintendent, Putnam was an active contributor to academic articles about education and an influential voice for Oregon schools among nationwide educational organizations. During his tenure, Oregon's educational system expanded to include vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
programs, special needs
Special needs
In the USA, special needs is a term used in clinical diagnostic and functional development to describe individuals who require assistance for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological. For instance, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International...
and gifted education
Gifted education
Gifted education is a broad term for special practices, procedures and theories used in the education of children who have been identified as gifted or talented...
, programs for Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, along with expanded curriculum and other programs. School funding issues were also a focus of Putnam's tenure. He resigned from office in early 1961 due to health concerns.
Personal and legacy
In 1962, a high school then under construction in MilwaukieMilwaukie, Oregon
Milwaukie is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. A very small portion of the city extends into Multnomah County. The population was 20,291 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1848 on the banks of the Willamette River, the city, known as the Dogwood City of the West, was incorporated in...
, where Putnam lived, was named Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School is a public high school in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States.-History:The school was named after former Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Rex Putnam....
in his honor. The school opened in 1963. Putnam died after a short illness in 1967. He and his wife Elinor had two sons, one of whom was killed in action during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.