Jack Allen Dauterman

Jack Allen Dauterman, 90, of Columbus, passed away on December 5, 2025. He was born on October 1, 1935 in Fostoria, Ohio to the late Harold and Thoral (Cupp) Dauterman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Leslie, sisters Audrey and Patty, and brother Harold Jr. Jack was a 1953 graduate of Fostoria High School. From there, he went to Bowling Green State University, where he got his bachelor’s degree in education in 1958, and his master’s in education in 1960.He received his certification as a School Psychologist from The Ohio State University in 1963. As an advocate for free public education, he had worked as an elementary teacher, school principal, school psychologist and as a special education administrator. During the 1960's he participated in the writing of grant proposals for the first program for elementary school counselors in Columbus and Project Breakthrough to train teachers in the use of behavioral teaching strategies for educating children with disabilities. In the early 1970's he directed an Ohio eight major cities project to develop model procedures for the multi-factored evaluation and placement of students in special education programs. During this same period, he served as Treasurer of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Handicapped Children which advocated legislation to require school districts to provide public education for all children with disabilities. During the 70's and 80's he directed Columbus Schools' programs to ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding the educational rights of disabled children. Since his retirement from Columbus Public Schools in 1991 he has taught children with multiple disabilities for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities; advocated for individual liberty and the separation of church and state and opposed intolerance. Jack had served on the Board of the Children's Mental Health Center, the Franklin County Epilepsy Association Board, and as president of the Columbus Schools' Central Office Administrators Association, as president of the Ohio Special Education Administrators Association, and president of the Ohio Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children. After retirement, he became a volunteer with the Columbus Literacy Council, tutoring adults to improve their English skills. He began studying Spanish and enjoyed reading in that language. He was a member of various community bands playing clarinet, saxophone, and bass clarinet in swing and concert music, most recently with the Clintonville Community Band, which he served as Treasurer for several years. He, with his wife, Joyce, had a special love for gardening, transforming lawns into gardens. Jack is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Amy St. Pierre and Ellen Young, stepdaughter Jennifer (Greg) Harvie, and stepson Erik (Julie) Vargo, brother Bill, and grandchildren Ian, Avry, Clayton, Carter, Michael, Ben, and Zach. The family wishes to send a special thank you to Luminary Hospice for the kind and loving care.