MATHEWSON: Philip Hoyt, 91, of Lyndon Center, Vt., passed away Monday, March 22, 2004, at his winter residence in Bradenton, Fla. He was born June 11, 1912 in Barre, Vt., the son of Ozias D. and Grace Hoyt Mathewson. At the age of 2 weeks, the family moved to the summer home in Wheelock with the year-round residence in Lyndonville, Vt. In 1919, the family moved to Lyndon Center and gave up the summer home. That fall, Phil entered the second grade in the Lyndon Center Town School from which he graduated in 1926 and attended Lyndon Institute. After completing a post graduate course, he entered Middlebury College in 1931. The comparatively small enrollment permitted him to participate in many college activities before he graduated in 1935. At Middlebury College he was president of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, president of the senior class, and captain of the track team, where in one day he set four track records. With employment limited, he accepted a position working in a restaurant chain in Boston. Not liking the pressure of city life, he readily accepted the offer of University of Michigan proctorship, which covered almost all expenses. Following the family tradition, he enrolled in the Graduate School of Education and received his degree in 1936. That fall, he started his professional life in a teaching position at the junior high he loved. It was in Alma, Mich., where he met Jean McLouth, a fourth-grade teacher in the same system. Upon his return to Lyndon Center in June, he was offered the position of social studies instructor in Lyndon Normal School. With that assurance, he and Jean were married in late August 1937. After six years at Lyndon Normal, he accepted the teaching principalship at Stowe High School. Five years later, he was offered the principalship at Union Elementary School in Montpelier. When the superintendent position of the Montpelier School System became available, he accepted the offer. Twelve years later, he left the growing Montpelier system to spend the next six years as superintendent in the Essex Caledonia district of eight towns. The contrast from large to small schools was a rewarding experience which ended in 1972 after 36 years in education. During that period of time, he he served in a variety of professional organizations. At various times, he returned to college campuses to participate in summer school and conferences, namely at Western Michigan, University of Minnesota, Columbia University and Stanford University, and president of the Vermont Superintendent Association. Mr. Mathewson is survived by his wife, Jean; two children, Jeanine I. Stringfellow of Denver, Colo.; and Dr. O.D. Mathewson, retired, of Hancock, N.H.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held later in the spring in the family lot in Lyndon Center Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the First Congregational Church, Lyndonville, VT 05851; Lyndon Institute, Lyndon Center, VT 05850; or The Shores Museum, Lyndon Center, VT 05850.