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John Pittenger

1930 – 2009

American politician

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About John Pittenger

Lived 1930 – 2009 (aged 79). John Pittenger was an American lawyer and politician.

John C. Pittenger (May 23, 1930 – December 6, 2009) was an American lawyer, academic and former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving two non-consecutive terms in the State House. He was appointed the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education from 1972 until 1976.

Pittenger served as the dean of the Rutgers University School of Law - Camden from 1981 until 1986.

Biography

Early life Pittenger was born in Philadelphia on May 23, 1930, to parents, Nicholas Otto and Cornelia VanDerveer Chapman Pittenger. He attended public school in the suburb of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, before enrolling in Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Among his many works, Pittenger authored his memoir, Politics Ain't Beanbag and co-authored a high school textbook on constitutional law titled The Pursuit of Justice with Henry W. Bragdon.

He moved to Homestead Village, a retirement community in Lancaster, in 1997, but remained active in Democratic politics. The Lancaster County Democratic Committee awarded him with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

He died of complications from Parkinson's disease at Homestead Village in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on December 6, 2009, at the age of 79. Pittenger was survived by his wife, Pauline Miller Pittenger; stepsons, Josiah Leet and Matthew Leet; and his sister, Jane Kellenberger.

A memorial service attended by more than 300 people, including Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, was held at Franklin & Marshall College's Barshinger Center on January 13, 2010. The service was moved from the college's smaller Nevin Chapel to accommodate the large number of attendees.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Harvard Law School, Phillips Exeter Academy
Positions held
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Employers
Rutgers University, Harvard University

People in John Pittenger's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Pittenger's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Pittenger?

American politician

When was John Pittenger born?

John Pittenger was born on 23 May 1930 in Philadelphia.

When did John Pittenger die?

John Pittenger died on 6 December 2009 in Lancaster.

What was John Pittenger's occupation?

John Pittenger was a lawyer and politician.

What nationality was John Pittenger?

John Pittenger was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Pittenger

· Wikidata: Q6252987

· DBpedia: John Pittenger

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Pittenger. https://biography.guide/john-pittenger/

MLA: "John Pittenger." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-pittenger/.

Chicago: "John Pittenger." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-pittenger/.

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