Fred Baruchin, former Superintendent of Schools for grades K-8 in Springfield, died on Sunday, March 29 at 82.
Originally from the Bronx, Dr. Baruchin was a proud graduate of City College and earned his Doctorate in Education from SUNY-Albany. He specialized in elementary curriculum and became supervisor of elementary education for the NY State Education Department in Albany in 1965. He served as Superintendent in Springfield from 1972 to 1986, overseeing the reorganization of the district’s elementary schools. He then worked as an administrator in the Syosset and Patchogue- Medford school districts on Long Island.
“At the end of everything we do in education ultimately lie the interests and well-being of a student. Basically, therefore, we are child advocates first and foremost,” he wrote. “We seek to have children’s minds among the stars, at the same time that their feet are anchored in the foundation of reason and good common sense.”
Dr. Baruchin is survived by his wife, Phyllis Kogan of Coram, NY; his daughters Aliyah (Donald Harding) of Maplewood and Celia (Ed Carter) of Staten Island; five grandchildren; his brother Leonard (Selma) of Boynton Beach, FL; his stepdaughter Audrey Handelsman (Adam) and stepson Marc Kogan (Kim); and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. His first wife, Sula Mekelatos Baruchin, died in 2001.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 19th at Gutterman’s Memorial Chapel, 8000 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY, at 3:00 PM. Donations can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLCenter.org) or to ACLD (acld.org).