The journey that ultimately brought him to Oak Valley Union School District began at Fort Ord, California in 1949 when he was recruited to learn to play the bagpipes for the Sixth Army Headquarters Bagpipe Band which was being formed at the Presidio of San Francisco. By the time of his discharge, he was Pipe Major and leader of the band. After returning to Michigan, he was again recruited. This time by Alma College, a Presbyterian-founded college with a proud Scottish heritage, to be the piper with the college band.

Upon graduation, he began his teaching career in a small "Up North" Michigan town teaching fifth grade. He believed these young students could comprehend and learn to use the concepts of a basic college level behavioral science class. With the support of the school administration and theÊcooperation of his professor and friend, Dr. Henry Klugh, a course plan was developed and implemented. The results were successful far beyond his highest expectations. After completion, a paper detailing the program and results was presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association. This led to long-term communication and friendship with Dr. B.F. Skinner. In 1967, he was invited to spend a year at Western Michigan University as part of a team to develop instructional materials and techniques for a student textbook based upon the work he had done with those first students. The book was published and adopted by many school districts. After teaching in Michigan for four years, he and his wife Vivian decided to return to California where he taught in the El Segundo school system for sixteen years at both the elementary and high school levels. While teaching high school special education students he was continually seeking ways to broaden their experience and stimulate their interest in learning. Among the experiences he arranged for them was a photography and instructional ride in the Goodyear Blimp over Southern California.

During these same years the TV show, Sanford and Son, had a running gag referring to El Segundo. He arranged to take his special education class to a taping of the show where they had front-row seats and the opportunity to go back stage and meet the actors.

After his years of teaching he understood the impact the administrator had on the atmosphere and learning environment in the classroom and he began to have a dream of the possibilities. Following his dream ultimately brought him to Oak Valley Union School District in 1985. There, school board members, staff, students, parents, and the community responded to his leadership and his motto, Eagles Don't Fly in Flocks. Every vision and goal he had for the District was rooted in that concept.

He had great concern for the safety of students in every area, but particularly their traveling on buses in the fog which so often blankets the Southern San Joaquin Valley. While visiting her mother in Michigan during fall of 1985, Vivian noticed that the buses there had strobe lights on the tope which operated during low visibility conditions so that other drivers knew immediately when seeing a white strobe light that it was a school bus.

Upon hearing about this possibility, Doug began what became a crusade to get permission from the state of California to install white strobe lights on the Oak Valley busses. With theÊcomplete and unanimous support of the Oak Valley School Board under the leadership of Board President David Bixler, and the interest, support and help of the late Senator Rose Ann Vuich, legislation was introduced and passed which not only allowed Oak Valley but every school district in California to install white strobe lights on their buses to be used during low-visibility conditions. Today every new school bus in California is pre-wired for a strobe light.

From the moment he walked on the Oak Valley School campus, he was determined to see a beautiful new multi-purpose building for the students. His dream was realized when he was successful in securing full funding from the state for the building. It was completed and dedicated after his retirement.

Since his passing, one of the people he hired said, "He saw something in me that I didn't see in myself." The ability to see hidden potential in others and providing opportunities for reaching that potential was one of his greatest talents.

His vision for Oak Valley was to create an atmosphere for learning that not only provided the setting but one that truly inspired staff and students to be all they could be. Everyone in the school community responded to his leadership by striving along with him to achieve that goal. He always gave the credit for the success of the effort to the Board of Education, the teachers, the staff, the students and theÊcommunity - never to himself.

Upon his retirement, he was shown in full measure the love, respect and high regard with which he was held by the Oak Valley community. He cherished the memory of that special time until his final breath. After retirement he served first as a member of the Tulare County Grand Jury and later as an Ombudsman and advocate for those living in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. As a hobby he did beautiful woodwork. He enjoyed membership in the San Joaquin Valley Fine Woodworkers Association. Each member of his family, many friends, and the Oak Valley School District have examples of his craft which are cherished by all.

He attended First Presbyterian Church of Visalia. His family wishes to thank those who so faithfully visited, prayed for him and prayed with him during his final illness.

A special thank you goes to Dr. Bryson and the staff at Bryson CancerÊ Care, and to the nurses on 3West at Kaweah Delta Hospital, especially to Helen, April, Erica and Cathy who were there when we needed them most. You are truly angels of mercy.

He will be sorely missed by Vivian, his wife of 55 years; son, Alan Henderson; granddaughters, Sheri and Kelly and Kelly's husband, Ali; their mother, Carol; great-grandson, Max; brother-in-law, Hal; nephew, Phil; his best friend and neighbor, Al; and a host of other friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Carol.

At his request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Oak Valley School Music Department, 24500 Road 68, Tulare, CA 93274.

Burial will take place later in Southern Cemetery, Central Lake, Michigan.ÊArrangements are by Neptune Society of Central California and Mortensen Funeral Homes, Central Lake.