MR. & MRS. FAIRVIEW

 

Click on the link below for a brief youtube audio-visual presentation of former FHS principals Theresa Folger and Don Longnecker.  They became Mr. and Mrs. on January 1, 1974. 

This is a portion of a presentation Dick Robinson, FHS Class of '57, created in 1982 for his 25th class reunion held that year at Miami Valley Golf Club.  People did not own video or digital cameras then!  He has contributed it for use on our website.  Thank you Dick!  You will hear a few brief introductions prior to listening to Mr. and Mrs. Longnecker being introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Fairview.  We hope you enjoy the sound of their voices again in this short but sweet recording.  Also, remember to scroll down this web page for more info.

Mr. and Mrs. Fairview

These are excerpts taken from the 1982 news article written by Dayton freelance writer Renate Frydman. The article accompanied the photo above. 

"It is like a storybook tale" was the title of the article. 

Theresa Folger, an avid mountain climber in her youth, had lived at home with her family most of her life.  Don Longnecker had married and raised a family.  When he retired in 1962, she became principal and remained at the helm for five more years at the school, which eventually became a magnet school.

"One of our greatest satisfactions is when we meet someone who says, 'I graduated from Fairview.'  It is a privilege to be remembered", he said.

"What worries me," said Mr. Longnecker, a trace of sorrow in his voice, "is that all the memorabilia through the years will be stored and people will forget.  We are sad at the changes (Fairview was to become an intermediate magnet school that fall), but it's inevitable.  Everything changes."

 

Photo of Theresa Folger taken from the 1958 Fairview yearbook.

Miss Theresa Folger was born in Norwood, Ohio and came to Dayton at the age of four. She attended Steele High School and received her Ph.B. Degree from Denison University.  Later she got her Master's from Columbia University.  Miss Folger taught French, algebra, history, civics, social science, economics and biology.  After only three years in her first job, she became assistant principal in 1924.  She founded the Fairview Big Sister Club in 1930 and was chosen May Queen on her twenty-fifth anniversary with Fairview High School.  (This copy is from the 1959 Fairview yearbook.)

Photo of Don Longnecker from the 1958 Fairview yearbook.

Don Longnecker was born in Eaton, Ohio.  He moved to Dayton when he was thirteen.  He graduated from Steele High School and received his Bachelor's Degree from Defiance College and his Master's from Columbia University.  Mr. Longnecker served in the Army for one year and two years as principal and teacher in Defiance County.  The principalship at Fairview was his second job and to it he brought enthusiasm, energy, spirit and determination to teach students "to do better the desirable things they are going to do anyway."  (This copy is from the 1959 Fairview yearbook.)

 

 

Miss Folger was ahead of her times.

"Mr. Fairview" Don Longnecker dies.

Theresa Folger Longnecker dies.

Click on the cover page to view the booklet.