Douglas E. Giles

San Diego Union-Tribune, The, October 24, 1995

Douglas Giles, 63 longtime educator, superintendent of schools for Santee

Douglas Giles, who retired in 1991 as superintendent of the Santee School District, died of cancer yesterday at Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa. He was 63.

The district named its educational resource center in honor of Dr. Giles, who held a doctorate in education, when he retired after 14 years as Santee's top administrator.

"He was a pillar in the educational community, and it was through his leadership that the Santee School District was recognized during the 1980s as a quality school district," said Sandy Pugliese, a member of the district's board of trustees.

"Dr. Giles had enormous capabilities in the instructional area.  During his time with us, student test scores rose significantly, curriculum expanded and staff development was truly enhanced."

Barbara Ryan, another Santee board member, said five of her six children were educated in the Santee School District during Dr. Giles' tenure.

"He cared deeply about children," she said. "He had very high expectations and a strong background in curriculum and instruction.  Those experiences and that background greatly benefited thousands of students who attended Santee schools."

Dr. Giles joined his wife, Joan, in forming Giles Associates, a superintendent-search and consulting firm for school districts, after leaving the Santee School District.

Until last May, he also served as fiscal adviser of the Mountain Empire School District, where he had assumed the duties of interim superintendent from August through December 1994.

He was elected three years ago as a director of the Otay Water District.

Dr. Giles was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in 1981.  "We found out the first part of September that the disease had transformed from a good prognosis to a poor prognosis," his wife said.

Board member Pugliese recalled, "Dr. Giles never allowed anything to take him down.  There were a number of people in our district with cancer who came to him.

"Even while fighting his own battles, he had a way to take them through their crises."

A native of Bridgeport, Texas, Dr. Giles earned his doctorate in education from the University of North Texas.  He was a teacher and principal in Harlingen, Texas, before moving in 1956 to Chula Vista.

Dr. Giles was a principal in the Lemon Grove and Chula Vista elementary school districts after settling in the South Bay.  He later became assistant superintendent of administrative services and assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the Chula Vista Elementary School District before taking the Santee post.

He was active over the years in the Chula Vista Kiwanis Club and both the Santee and Chula Vista Rotary clubs.

In addition to Joan, his wife of 17 years, he is survived by four daughters, Michelle Whitaker and Kimberly Giles, both of Chula Vista, Debra Holder, of Clarksville, Tenn., and Deanna Pace, of Roanoke, Texas; a son, David, of Los Angeles; eight brothers, and eight grandchildren.  Another son, Douglas C. Giles, died of cancer in April of this year.

Private graveside services are scheduled for today at Glen Abbey Memorial Park.  A memorial service is pending.

San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Tuesday, October 24, 1995

"San Diego Union-Tribune, The", California