It is a sad time for ACSA members and staff. Bill Cunningham, ACSA’s first executive director, has passed away.
William Lloyd Cunningham was a leading California educator, rallying and crusading throughout his life for quality education and professional leadership in all of California’s schools. He was superintendent of schools in several districts throughout the state before becoming ACSA executive director in 1971. After leaving ACSA, he served as Sacramento County superintendent and as Gov. George Deukmejian’s education advisor from 1983-1987.
“As members and staff, all of us benefit from the outstanding association Bill was instrumental in establishing,” said current ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells.
A service for Cunningham was held Oct. 11, with a wake and burial following on Oct. 12.
Cunningham spent nine years with ACSA, traveling throughout California to build the organization membership and develop ACSA as a leading professional organization.
Art Thayer, who served as assistant executive director under Cunningham, remembered that when ACSA was in the formative stages, many leaders in education, state and national, as well as legislators said no one could bring the diverse special groups in administration together, and that ACSA would fail after a couple of years.
“During those early years, ACSA was fortunate to have excellent presidents and directors, but they had other full time jobs,” Thayer said. “Based upon my 50 years in education and 13 as assistant executive director of ACSA, I can think of only a handful that might have been able to build the foundation and the growth of ACSA into the largest professional association of school administrators in the nation.
“During his years as executive director, Bill worked tirelessly to keep identifying the common threads, policies and challenges to bring administrators together,” Thayer said. “He worked just as diligently to meet the divergent needs and special interests of the ‘job-a-likes.’ He built a strong professional development program to increase the skills and professionalism of its members. At the same time, he built a strong proactive legislative program to expand the political clout, influence and reputation of ACSA.”
Milly Martinez, who continues her work with ACSA today as an executive associate, began her career with the association in 1977 while Cunningham was executive director.
“Bill considered all of ACSA employees his family, and in turn he shared his real family with us,” Martinez remembers. “Many holidays were celebrated at the Cunninghams with Bill and (assistant executive director) Ray Curry singing ‘Danny Boy.’
“Dr. C spent most of his time in the field spreading the word of ACSA, but when he was in the office he stopped by everyone’s desk to make sure you were OK and things were good for you.”
Martinez acknowledged that ACSA’s foundation was fortified by Cunningham’s ability to bring people together and bring out the best in them, while he cheered them on and gave all the credit away.
“Even in his retirement he was ACSA’s greatest cheerleader,” she said. “He will be missed.”
ACSA’s first woman president Emma Hulett called it an honor to watch Bill work with people, “guiding them with soft gloves and helping them focus on their strength.”
“By this, many administrators stepped forward and achieved a level they had never expected,” Hulett said. “I was one of those, not only to become a better administrator but to find strength that I never knew. We will miss him, but his impact on many leaders will be continued.”
Cunningham was born in Santa Rosa on March 15, 1926. He was a fourth generation Californian, the son of Lloyd “Jack” Cunningham and May Rasmussen. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School, class of 1944, and remained close to his childhood friends. He participated in school theatre, journalism and ran a radio show before school.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and became a decorated combat veteran as a participant in the 3rd Infantry Division’s campaign through southern Germany. He was captured twice and awarded two Purple Hearts. At the end of the war he was a radio announcer to the Armed Forces Network, serving as a sports announcer and radio journalist. He loved his work at the newly formed AFN and made lifelong friendships.
Cunningham attended college on the GI Bill at University of the Pacific in Stockton, where he met his wife, Patricia Ihinger. They married in the college chapel in 1950. Their first jobs were teaching together in Glen Ellen. Cunningham went on to earn an administrative credential at San Francisco State College, while commuting after work from Middletown.
The family moved to New York City in 1957, where Cunningham attended Columbia University and earned a doctorate in education.
His career then took him and his family to all areas of California. He taught in Glen Ellen, served as assistant superintendent for personnel in San Juan USD from 1959-63, and superintendent in Middletown in 1954, Paradise in 1958, Hayward USD from 1963-68, Newport-Mesa USD from, 1968-71, and Sacramento County from 1980-83.
In 1987, Cunningham retired to enjoy 10 years of golf and travel with his wife Pat. After her death, he was blessed again in friendship and love with Allie Young and spent 10 more years traveling and enjoying life with her. He is survived by his children, Shalee Cunningham, Kerry Cunningham Galton and Kyle Cunningham; grandchildren, Stephanie, Riley, Casey, Mitchell, Catherine, Emily and two great-grandchildren.