Dr. Richard Henderson

Dr. Richard Lee (Rick) Henderson, loving husband, son, father, grandfather, and brother entered into eternal rest on March 19, 2011 at the age of 67. Dr. Henderson was born on March 19, 1944 in Chickasaw, Oklahoma to Ralph Lee and Emma Jane Henderson. He honorably served in the United States Army.

Dr. Henderson studied at the University of Heidelberg in West Germany prior to receiving his B.A. degree in European History and German Language from Wichita State University in 1970. He also received his M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Wichita State in 1973. He completed his doctoral work at Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1979 with a specialization in Educational Administration.

Henderson has teaching and leadership experience in private as well as public education. He has served as the President of Private Catholic schools and as a Superintendent of Schools in suburban as well as metropolitan school districts. He began his higher education teaching experience as an Assistant Professor and a member of the Graduate Faculty at Saint Louis University in 1979. He served as Coordinator for Educational Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He served as Chair for Educational Administration and Supervision Graduate Programs at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock where he also received the Faculty Excellence in Teaching award. Prior to accepting his current position he served as a member of the graduate faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University. During his tenure at the University of the Incarnate Word Dr. Henderson has participated in the Dreeben School of Education’s Doctoral Program as a Professor and Coordinator for Organizational Leadership in the Ph.D. Program. He held the distinguished title of Sister Theophane Power Chair 2000-2005. In addition, he served as campus administrator at the China Incarnate Word campus Feb –July 2010.

Rick Henderson embraced the mission of UIW and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in the context of the San Antonio UIW campus community, and through the delivery of mission and professional research activities in the context of Central and South America, East Africa, and nations of the Pacific Rim. He was an active participant in Women’s Global Connection and traveled on three immersion trips to Tanzania, Africa.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Lee Henderson. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Maribeth Henderson; children Emilee Elizabeth WeiWei Henderson, Mark G Henderson, Phillip L Henderson, and Rishanda M (Henderson) Pennington and husband Matthew; grandchildren, Myles Johnston and Ella Johnston; mother, Emma Henderson; and siblings Ralph C. Henderson, Karl Henderson and wife Debbie, and Cheryl (Henderson) Terpkosh and husband Jim.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.sunsetnorthfuneralhome.com or sent to the family home at 3011 River Way, Spring Branch, TX 78070.