Norton Russell Bagley

Norton Russell Bagley, 94, died February 23, 2014.

He was born in Derry, NH, January 19, 1920, son of Frank Russell Bagley, Jr. And Estella May Floyd. He was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy class of 1937, earned a B. Ed., at Plymouth State, M. Ed., at Boston University and a PhD from the University of Connecticut. He taught in Pittsfield, NH, leaving there to join the army after Pearl Harbor. He served in the 54th Medical Battalion in North Africa, Sicily and Italy earning the Bronze Star. After the war he was principal at McIndoes Academy (VT) for three years leaving to do advanced degree work. He was a demonstration teacher at Plymouth State in the laboratory school for three years. In 1953 he returned to Plymouth on the regular faculty and remained there for the rest of his professional career.

At Plymouth he served as professor, director of public relations, dean of students, dean of instruction, director of admissions, director of placement and as chairman of the Education Department for sixteen years. Know as "Mr. Plymouth" he was widely known for his teaching skills, his humor and his ability to relate to students. As college representative of the New Hampshire Council for Education, he assisted in the improvement of teacher education throughout the state. He was given the Granite State Award by the Trustees of the University System for his service to education in New Hampshire. As chairman of the department, he wrote accrediting reports for the State Board, the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and for the National Council for Teacher Accreditation working to insure that Plymouth's programs were accredited by state, region and nationally. He was widely known throughout the state through the extension courses he taught to teachers in service. He introduced or implemented and improved various master's degree programs at Plymouth laying the groundwork for the graduate programs of today including the Master's in Guidance and Counseling. He served several terms as a director of the Alumni and was voted several awards by the Association for his services to the college. He wrote the definitive history of the college "One Hundred Years of Service" for the celebration of Plymouth's hundred years.

Together with his sister, Martha (Bagley) Anderson, the genealogy of the descendants of Orlando Bagley of Amesbury, MA was researched and written. He was co-author of several NH genealogies, grave stone inscriptions and as indexer of books for the New Hampshire Historical Association. He was a member of the Olive Branch Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons. He was a life-long gardener and nature enthusiast. He traveled widely in the United States, Canada and western, central and southern Europe. After his retirement he traveled gardened and indexed books.

He is survived by a niece, Elaine Alexander of Deerfield, NH and a grand niece, Lydia Lauzier of Bedford, NH.

There will be no calling hours. Burial of ashes will be in the Valley Cemetery at Londonderry, NH.

Donations may be made in his memory to Norton R. Bagley Scholarship Fund, University Advancement MSC50, Plymouth State University, 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264. (Checks should be made payable to the Plymouth State University, with a memo for the Norton R. Bagley Scholarship Fund).