In Memoriam – William H. Drummond (1921-2008)

The College of Education mourns the passing of retired faculty member WILLIAM H. DRUMMOND, Ed.D., who died Nov. 15, 2008. He was 87 years old.

Drummond was a faculty member of the college’s Curriculum and Instruction department from 1972 to 1986, when he received Professor Emeritus status upon retirement. His earlier career included many years with the State of Washington Department of Education, and he had also served as chairman of the division of education at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College prior to joining the UF faculty.

Retired UF education faculty member William Hedges, one of Drummond’s best friends and a fellow bridge player (along with their respective wives) for more than 40 years, was partially responsible for recruiting Drummond to UF. Hedges credits Drummond with being "a significant contributor to the improvement of public education in Florida as he worked closely with the State Department and then-Chancellor of Education, Charley Reed." Hedges said Drummond "had an amazing ability to listen to others and to zero in on ways to bring about consensus."

Drummond’s special interests in education ranged from teacher education and certification to organizational development. He was active in the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. He was highly regarded by his students as an engaging and demanding teacher and mentor, and he received a number of service and training grants from the Florida DOE. Retired faculty member Paul George recalled that "Bill had a life-long capability to get to the heart of the matter, whatever it might be, and to do so in a way that brought people to agree with him and to love him at the same time. Quite a talent."

Among Drummond’s survivors are Shirley, his devoted wife of nearly 65 years; a daughter, Margaret, and a son, Tom.