Millard Penney

Millard F. Penney, Born: April 29, 1925, Hokes Bluff, Alabama Died: August 8, 2012 Fort Collins, CO Millard was a Rotarian, a Mason, a Methodist, a loving brother, husband, father and grandfather who loved nature, family, travel and laughter. Millard was the third child born to Fanny Bishop and Henry Winston Penney on their cotton farm in Hokes Bluff, AL. After high school he volunteered for the U. S. Navy where he served as an aerial gunner instructor for American and British pilots during WWII. He attended college at Jacksonville State University, received a MA degree at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and did post graduate work at the University of Wyoming. While teaching school, he met and married Bernice Redfield in Evanston, Wyoming in 1955. They subsequently lived in Maryland, Virginia and Colorado where they raised their two children, Mary and Michael. While raising their children, they welcomed students from many countries into their home and family, most notably many from Kuwait who became lifelong friends. During his 28 years with the US Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare he was instrumental in improving the national health care delivery system by creating special projects in burn medicine and problem oriented medical records; while at the National Institute of Mental Health he helped create rehabilitation programs for national comprehensive community mental health centers. He also worked as an Intergovernmental and Congressional Affairs Officer for H.E.W. After retirement, Millard and Bernice served in the Peace Corps in the Solomon Islands and spent five winters as volunteers for the National Park Service in the Florida Everglades. Additionally, he helped develop an Environmental Outdoor Laboratory for the local school system on the property where he grew up in Alabama. Lastly, he served on the Board of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins during its early development where he particularly enjoyed the creation of the Children’s Garden. Millard is survived by his wife, Bernice, daughter, Mary Hanson (Ray), son, Michael Penney (Valerie), granddaughters Sarah and Rachel Penney. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carolyn, and is survived by his brother, James Penney of Alabama and sister, Martha Butler of Maryland. His memorial marker is in the family gravesite in Hokes Bluff, AL where a celebration of his life will be held by the family at a later date. To honor Millard the family is working with The Gardens to build a hands-on exhibit in the Childrens’ Garden. A dedication ceremony will be held upon its completion in 2013. If friends desire, a contribution can be made in his honor to The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 South Center Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Millard Penney

April 29, 1925 - August 8, 2012