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Clifford Dible

The present Penn Hills Elementary School occupies the same site as the former Clifford Dible Elementary School, quite possibly the only elementary school in the United States named for of all people, a truancy officer.  Once the boogey man of sorts to school-aged children, truant officers were responsible for enforcing state compulsory attendance laws.  Mr. Dible, known as "Grandpop" to a generation of Penn Township students, served as the district's truancy officer for 15-years in the 1940s and 50s before retiring at the age of 70 in 1952.  Each year Dible would send out hundreds of Christmas and birthday cards to Penn Township students whom he affectionally called "his" boys and girls.

It wasn't out of the ordinary for the friendly truant officer to drop by the house of a sick student for social rather than official reasons. 

An article that was published in the December 24 issue of the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph paid tribute to a man who was so well-liked by his students that they showed their gratitude by pooling their spare change to gift him $100 upon his retirement.

Mr. Dible passed away in 1967. 

Two years later on October 28, 1969, Superintendent John H. Linton dedicated the district's new school on Jefferson Road, Clifford Dible elementary

 

in honor of a man whose selfless acts of kindness made such a huge impression on an entire generation of students.

It's hard to believe, but last year I sent out 2,500 cards mostly for birthdays.  I come home every night and write some - it's sort of a hobby with me. Clifford Dible

Penn Hills School Dedication Tomorrow

A notice in the October 27, 1969 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announcing the dedication of the new Clifford Dible Elementary School, a $2.5 million school located off of Jefferson Road in Penn Township.

Penn Township Students Honor Truant Officer

An article honoring Clifford Dible appeared in the December 24, 1952 edition of the Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph.  Mr. Dible retired as the district's truancy officer after 15 years of service.  In 1969 him by naming its elementary school on Jefferson Road after him.

Surprise

John S. Parsons, 17, surprises Clifford Dible with a $100 check, gift of more than 1,000 students at Penn High School.  His granddaughter, Sandra Gaye Thompson, 7 sminglingly watches her grandfather being honored.

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