Former GCOE superintendent remembered

Nazarene minister and former Glenn County Superintendent of Schools the Rev. Lloyd G. Hubbard,

died Tuesday at the home of his daughter in Chico.

Hubbard, 80, served as superintendent of schools here for 12 years after working in education for more than 25 years. He was elected to the superintendent’s post in 1982 and retired in 1994.

Glenn County Board of Education Member Catherine Hanes said Hubbard did an “excellent job as superintendent” and got along well with everybody.

“I enjoyed my time working with him,” she said Thursday.

Hubbard also served as vice principal of Murdock School in Willows, principal of Bayliss School, the director of Glenn County’s special education program and principal of Willows Intermediate School before being elected to the superintendent’s post.

Hubbard is credited with starting area superintendent forums, the academic decathlon, the county’s GATE program, home study program and adult education along with the opportunity program.

Additional accomplishments include creating the historical school site markers, the Glenn County Music Festival and recognition as Glenn County Administrator of the Year in 1991.

Hanes said the county’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and special education programs continue today and remain successful thanks to Hubbard’s original efforts.

GCOE staff members such as Gloria Valente and Merrilee Johnson have similar memories of Hubbard to Hanes.

Valente was his executive assistant who described him as “very understanding and someone who always put staff first. “He was a very special person,” she said.

Johnson said Hubbard was a man of his word, who was an inspirational leader.

“He understood the dynamic of supporting and investing in the human resource,” Johnson said. “He knew how to make it happen and was always willing to give staff credit.”

Whenever, Hubbard received a compliment, he would say the superintendent is only as good as the people around him, she said, and he would defer the compliment to the staff.

Johnson was director of human resources when Hubbard retired and called him “ a wonderful mentor.”

“He would ask for your input and ideas,” she said. “It was not a token request. He always made you feel he valued your input even if he did not use it.”

Hubbard also encouraged staff to further their educations and was there for the students as well, Johnson said.

Following his retirement, Hubbard continued to work in education with a year as principal/superintendent of the Elk Creek School District and later as interim superintendent for Chico Unified School District in 1997.

During the 1990s, Hubbard taught at Simpson College in Redding in its teacher education program.

In recent years, Hubbard and his wife, Nita, lived in Nampa, Idaho – moving there in 1998 to be closer to friends and family. While there, he became involved with his son, Tim’s church.

However, he moved to Chico two months ago where he stayed with his daughter, Marna Whitley, according to funeral home representatives.

Hubbard had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly before moving back to Idaho in 1998, and it would eventually take his life, family members said.

He was born Dec. 28, 1927, in Boulder, Colo., to George and Mary Hubbard.

Hubbard was raised in Boulder and attended Colorado University before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After his discharge from the military, Hubbard enrolled in Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, and graduated in 1952.

He was an ordained minister for more than 50 years and served in churches in Oregon, Idaho, Corning and Chico while teaching at the same time.

A memorial service for Hubbard is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 208 West First St., Chico.

People may also share their thoughts on line at nbcfh,com.

He is survived by his wife, Nita, and daughters, Marna Whitley and Paula Black; sons, Reynold and Tim Hubbard; a sister, Elizabeth Elftman and brother, John Hubbard. There are 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Directors of Chico.