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Richard Quarterson, Skycrest Christian's principal, dies at 68

Richard Quarterson "was considered an icon among Christian educators in this area," said a regional educator.

By BETSY BOLGER-PAULET
Published July 12, 2005

Richard Quarterson, an educator for more than 35 years and the founding principal of Skycrest Christian School in Clearwater, died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He died at home under the care of his family and Hospice of the Florida Suncoast at the age of 68.

Born in Shenango, Pa., Mr. Quarterson came to Clearwater in 1969 from New Jersey. In 1971, he founded the private Christian school on Belcher Road and Drew Street.

The school began under the leadership of the Rev. Carl W. Houston as an extension of the original Skycrest Baptist kindergarten, which had operated there for 15 years. On its opening, the school served 170 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Under his leadership, the program expanded to the eighth grade with an enrollment of 450 students and a staff of 48 teachers, administrators and support staff members.

Before taking on the leadership of the new school, Mr. Quarterson was an assistant principal of Keswick Christian School in St. Petersburg and a part-time basketball coach and teacher at Clearwater Christian College.

During his two tenures at Skycrest, the school won numerous sports competitions in the Pinellas Youth Conference and earned national recognition for its band and choral programs.

In addition to his school duties, Mr. Quarterson was a member of Skycrest Baptist's pastoral staff. In 2003, he led a $1.5-million campaign to build a complex that now houses administrative offices, gifted and reading programs, a band room and science lab.

"(Mr. Quarterson) was considered an icon among Christian educators in this area," said David Ray, regional director of the Association of Christian Schools International, through which Skycrest is accredited. "When I was a student at Clearwater Christian College in the 1970s, education majors would beg to student-teach at Skycrest because of his leadership."

Jonell Giroux, the school's assistant principal, said of her boss: "Mr. Quarterson has been a godly leader and role model for our faculty, staff, parents and children for so many years. He will be sorely missed, but he has left us with a legacy that will burn brightly for years to come." The educator served as principal at Skycrest for his first tenure until 1983, when he resigned to pursue further theological education in Oklahoma. He was ordained into the ministry in 1988 at Eastwood Baptist Church of Tulsa and served as the church's school administrator from 1983 until he returned here in 1996 to resume the position of principal at Skycrest Christian School.

Mr. Quarterson graduated with his bachelor's degree from Shelton (N.J.) College and went on to earn three master's degrees: a master's of divinity from Faith Seminary, Philadelphia, a master's of education from Glassboro (N.J.) School, and a master's of administration from the University of South Florida.

He was an active member of Skycrest Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher and was active in the choir.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Phyllis; two sons, Scott, Clearwater, and Kyle, South Africa; a daughter, Kathy Findahl, Tulsa; two sisters, Norma Welker, Lakeland, and Alice Smith, West Palm Beach; a brother, John Braatz, New Castle, Pa.; and 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Skycrest Baptist Church, 125 N Belcher Road, Clearwater. The family asks for donations to the Skycrest Christian School building fund and missions. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater, is in charge of arrangements.

[Last modified July 12, 2005, 01:26:22]