David A. Yard of Waterford, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 4, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA. Dave was born May 13, 1934 in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Vinton E. and Olive Roemer Yard.
He was a graduate of Franklin High School (1951), Grove City College (1955) and The Pennsylvania State University. His career in education began in 1955 in the Corry Area School District where he taught secondary mathematics for 8 years and coached track and field. In 1963, he moved to Waterford to become principal at Fort LeBoeuf High School. After 30 years of service there, he retired in 1993. He valued the many colleagues with whom he worked and treasured the thousands of students with whom he came in contact over those years, watching their development and successes.
Dave enjoyed hunting and fishing and traveling with his family. He served on the State Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Secondary School Principals. He was a member of the Waterford Asbury United Methodist Church and a life member of Myrtle Lodge 316 of the Masons in Franklin and of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. As a retiree, he served at the local and regional levels of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Dorthy Exley Yard; three sons, Allen D. Yard (Ruth) of Waterford, Frederick L. Yard (Diana) of Lovettsville, Virginia and Donald A. Yard of Danville, Virginia; and one daughter, Carol Grace Yard of Newberg, Oregon; and three
grandchildren, Shannon and Tristan Yard of Lovettsville and Evelin Yard of Waterford.
The Yard family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 7:00-9:00 pm at the
Van Matre Funeral Home, W. First & Walnut Streets, Waterford, and again on Thursday morning from 9:00-11:00 am at the Asbury United Methodist Church, W. Second & Walnut Streets, Waterford. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am officiated by Rev. Dennis Lawton, pastor of Tidioute First and Tionesta, PA United Methodist Churches. Burial will take place in Franklin Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Fort LeBoeuf Foundation for scholarships or to another charity of ones choice.
Dear Dorothy and Family , I was so sorry To hear about David’s death. I had known Dave since we were toddlers at the FRANKLIN METHODIST Church.We graduated together at Franklin High School. Dave and I also roomed together at Grove City College where we both graduated. I last saw Dave at a class reunion in Franklin 8 years ago. His hard work at college kept me on my toes, especially in math. I remember a fishing trip to Canada that we made after graduation. Didn’t catch much but ad lots of fun. Please accept my condolences. Sincerely, Frederick Mong.
I am so sorry to learn of Dave’s death. My heart and prayers go out to your family.
I was a student, of “Mr. Yards”, in Corry, years ago and always thought the world of him. I respected and admirered him very much as a person and as a teacher. I was in Dave’s home room and my mother dropped me off at school early,on her way to work, so we would talk,and he would help me with my math. He was always so kind and such a “gentleman’ He was a true Hero to me and influenced me a great deal to become a teacher.
Over the years I have enjoyed running into him on many occasion. I haven’t seen him in many years but always asked the people I know in Waterford about him.
I am sorry I was unable to make it to the funeral service to meet his family and to pay my last respects to a truly wonderful man. You were so blessed to have him as your husband, father.and grandfather.
Sincerely,
Sandy Crowell
To the David Yard Family. On behalf of the descendants of John Elmer Yard here in the Barkeyville, Pa. area , I would like to send our deepest sympathy to you. Elmer Yard was my grandfather . He and Austin Yard were brothers. I cannot recall Uncle Aust but I do remember Aunt Ollie so very well. She was such a tiny little person. I can remember visiting her in Franklin. May God bless you and hold you ever so close. Respectfully, Edna Roddy Orange
Dear Allen, Please accept my sincerest sympathy on the death of your father. I pray you and your family find peace and comfort in many good memories of him. May God bless you.
Barbara Reszkowski
Venango Catholic High School
Oil City
Dear Dorthy and Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. My Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Judyth Fetzko TENdril newsletter Editor
Garden Club of Munhall, District X
Dear Dorthy and family
I am sorry to hear about your loss.Please accept my condolences at this difficult time.
I will say a prayer for you and your family. I know I speak for my club when I say you will be in our thoughts.
Michele Fellin
Hazleton Area Garden Club
To the Many Members of the Yard Family,
Please accept our condolences at this difficult time. We would certainly like to be there to pay our respects, but are currently in Florida.
Gary & Annette
Dear Dorthy,
I send my very heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you and help you thru this difficult time.
Regards,
Lois Hite Armstrong
Dear Dot and Family,
I am very sorry to hear this news about David. We were all glad to get to know him as he supported you with all your Federation activities. I will be thinking of you this week. I would be there for the service but will be too far away to attend.
Fondly,
Corinne Babson
My most sincere condolences to the entire Yard family. Mr. Yard was my boss for 12+ years, and I can honestly say that he was the best boss I ever had. I could always count on him both professionally and personally. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a warm personality, and an admirable sense of decency. I admired him and I loved him.
I hope his family members can find some solace in knowing that you had his wonderful spirit in your life for the many years you did. He will be missed but never forgotten.