Sherwood E. Shughart
December 18, 1934 - May 3, 2024
Sherwood E. Shughart, age 89, formerly of Boiling Springs, PA, died Friday, May 3, 2024, at his home in Oxford, PA.
Sherwood was born December 18, 1934 at the family farm near Carlisle, PA. He graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 1953 and enrolled at Penn State University. His college was interrupted by a two-year stint in the US Navy aboard an icebreaker where he visited both the North Pole and the South Pole as a damage control technician.
In 1959, Sherwood married the love of his life, Anne Parsell and spent the rest of his life with her at his side. Upon graduation from Penn State in 1960 he began an illustrious career as an industrial arts teacher and then Vice Principal. His first job was in Deptford, NJ. He attended Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ for his master’s in education.
As an educator, Sherwood always involved his students in large projects that benefited the students, the school, and when possible, the community. At Conrad High School in New Castle County, DE he and his students formed a construction company, called BMW, where the students built their own shop and attached it to the school building. The department of education awarded his efforts by donating a construction van to his program.
The highlight of his teaching career was when he created the New Castle County Vo-Tech Community Improvement Company. Their first project was to build a new dormitory for possible student dropouts at Turning Point Ranch. The next project was even bigger, converting the old Wilmington College into dormitory and administrative offices. This and other projects provided the carpentry students from Hodgson Vo-Tech the opportunity to learn skills across the entire spectrum of residential construction, from operating a backhoe to roofing, bricklaying, electrical wiring and plumbing. His last 12 years in education were spent as a Vice Principal at Delcastle and Hodgson Vocational Schools.
Sherwood instilled a work ethic in his students with little sayings, such as, “a little putty, and a little paint will make you what you ain’t,” demanding his students cut their lumber accurately. Sherwood worked as hard as his students and he played hard at the end of the workday. When the music started playing, Sherwood started dancing and he was always the first one on the dance floor, especially when they played, “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.”
During retirement Sherwood could be found in his cabinet shop, tending his vegetable garden or collecting and working with his coin sets. He also collected household antiques, antique tools and had an extensive hardwood lumber collection. He always had time to help someone in need, be it friend or a stranger with a construction problem they couldn’t solve. He was a special friend to all!
Family was most important to Sherwood and he and his wife, Anne, would take their extended family to Emerald Isle every summer and had family gatherings often. He attended most sporting events, concerts and recitals that his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in…you could always hear his voice and notorious whistle! He helped his son, Scott, coach both soccer and baseball teams. He taught and helped his children and grandchildren with numerous home projects and the building of furniture from his beautiful lumber supply…some lumber being over 60 years old.
Sherwood was the youngest in his family and was predeceased by his parents, Ramon and Ellen Shughart; brothers, Lester, Glenn, and Harold; sisters, Dorothea and Arlene; daughter, Pamela Dall; and son-in-law, Darrell Dall.
He is survived by Anne E. Shughart, his loving wife of 65 years; daughter, Beth McKee (John) of State College, PA; son, Scott Shughart (Agnes) of Newark, DE; seven grandchildren, Jesse Hall (Kristen), Sarah Hall (Jim), Amelia Dall (Griffin), Daniel Dall (Hayley), Jeff Shughart (Melissa), Jacob Shughart, and James Shughart; and six great-grandchildren, Norah, Layla, Hunter, Heath, Siena and Madison.
We want to celebrate Sherwood’s (friends called him “Shu”) life by having family and friends gather informally from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Friday, May 17, 2024, in the gym at Paul M. Hodgson Vocational School, 2575 Glasgow Avenue, Newark, DE 19702. Come celebrate Sherwood and enjoy his favorite desserts.
A special thank you to all those at Heartland Hospice and Visiting Angels that cared for Dad. We could not have done this without you.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Sherwood’s memory to Heartland Hospice Care, 5 Christy Drive, Suite 103, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 or online by clicking here.
Roy Hall
“Shu” was the finest teacher I have ever met and a man who I looked up to as an older brother. He was a man that could do almost everything and do it to perfection.
Bill Kirlin
He was always kind and engaged in all the many conversations I had with him. He always shared his knowledge willingly. He was a gentleman.
Curt Clifton
Dear Mrs. Shughart and Family. I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Shughart was a fantastic teacher. I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Shughart as my Wood Shop teacher in Krebs School in Newport, DE. He had great patience and always looked for your good skills and promoted them to your fullest advantage. I still give him credit for and use his famous quote “a little putty, and a little paint will make you what you ain’t,” to this day. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you Mr. Shughart for believing in your students!! May you rest in peace.
Carole Minner
Sherwood was one of nicest people I ever met! He always had a kind word and smile.
Ed Crumlish
I first met Mr. Shughart in August of 1987, when he chaired the interview committee for the recently vacated Sheet Metal instructor position at Delcastle. Coming from industry, I hadn’t yet had any courses that would prepare me to become an effective teacher. From day one, Mr. Shughart served as a valued mentor and provided direction and support as part of his professional responsibilities. He however went beyond his stipulated duties as a supervising administrator. He became a trusted friend. When he transferred to Hodgson, I missed the opportunity to seek his guidance, but he assured me that he was only a phone call away. In 1997, after he had retired, Mr. Shughart again answered the bell, when he came back to Hodgson to assist in the construction of a house that would eventually be moved off site to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Newark.
I consider myself lucky to have have met and worked with Shu, but even more fortunate to have been able to call him my friend. He was good man, who will be missed by all who knew him!
Tony Albano
I am a past member of the Delaware Woodworking Guild. I always enjoyed my time speaking with Sherwood. He was a fine man, so glad i was able to call him a friend
Steven H Godowsky
My sincere condolences to Anne and the Shughart family. Shu was a master craftsman who could build or fix anything. I worked with him for many years, especially at Hodgson. He was always helpful, cared about his family and friends and enjoyed life. He will be missed.
May his memory be a blessing.