Former School Superintendent Dr. Earl Lennard Dies At Age 77

RIVERVIEW, FL — Former Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools and Supervisor of Elections Dr. Earl Lennard died Monday night after being hospitalized with a prolonged illness since Thanksgiving 2018. He was 77 years old.

A lifelong Riverview resident, Brandon High School graduate and University of South Florida graduate, Lennard was a classroom teacher and principal before serving as school superintendent from 1996 to 2005 at a time of unprecedented growth in Hillsborough County. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction and renovation of 60 schools as the Hillsborough County School District grew into the eighth largest in the nation.

Although retired, he was called back into public life in 2009 when Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky died in office in 2009 and Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Lennard to serve out her term.

“We are all heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dr. Earl Lennard,” said Jeff Eakins, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools. “His impact on our school district and community was immeasurable. So many educators and citizens have been positively influenced by his incredible leadership and character. It is incumbent on all of us, who were fortunate enough to know him, to carry on his legacy of honor and respect. We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

Lennard said he became hooked on teaching kids during his first year as a teacher at Ruskin Elementary School in 1963. He said it was then he realized the ability a teacher has to improve and change a young person's life.

"It was always rewarding for me to see them years later in college or working at a great job and hearing them say that I influenced them," said Lennard.

In addition to his professional public service roles, Lennard was also involved in the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, where he founded the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, the Hillsborough County Fair, the Brandon Community Foundation and the Riverview United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school until he became ill.

But the organization he was most passionate about was the Boys & Girls Club. He was among the community leaders responsible for the construction of the Sandy & George Simmons Family Boys & Girls Club in Riverview.

Married to Annabel for 55 years, his children, Missy and Jeremy, followed in his footsteps, both becoming educators. Missy Lennard is principal of Stowers Elementary School in FishHawk Ranch and Jeremy Lennard is a technology specialist at Bloomingdale High School.

In 2006, Lennard High School in Ruskin was named in his honor. Other honors include receiving the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award in 2009, given to a current or former government official or civic leader for improving government through leadership and vision; and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of South Florida's College of Education in 2014.

During an interview, when asked what he would like his legacy to be, Lennard replied, “I just hope that they remember I worked hard to make a difference; to make things better for those that came after me."