Former AUSD Superintendent Elb Souders Dies at 94

Editor's Note: Article updated at 3 p.m. with quote from district Spokeswoman Marilyn Daleo.

Elbert "Elb" Souders, the fifth superintendent of the Arcadia Unified School District and a popular former principal of Arcadia High School, has died. He was 94.

He died Monday of natural causes, Arcadia Mayor Bob Harbicht said.

Souders had the longest tenure of any administrator in the district, having served as principal of Arcadia High from 1956-1960, as an assistant superintendent from 1960-1982 and finally as superintendent from 1982-1985.

"The Arcadia Unified School District was saddened to hear of the passing of... Elbert Souders," district Spokeswoman Marilyn Daleo told Patch. "Mr. Souders served Arcadia Unified for 30 years before his retirement in 1985 and those of us still on staff that worked with him hold fond memories of his leadership, dedication and character."

Under Souders' direction, Arcadia High School became a leader in curriculum and the development of education programs ranging from cross-age teaching to Advanced Placement classes.

He also helped develop the district's music program.

The Apache marching band performed at the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower during Souders' tenure as principal of Arcadia High. Souders started the West Arcadia Band Review; now called the Arcadia Festival of Bands, it has become one of the premier band reviews in California, regularly attracting top high school bands from across the state. For this, Souders was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Arcadia High.

Souders reveled in his warm relationship with parents and students.

"My association with Arcadia Schools will long be remembered as a most positive one, primarily because of your children, the students and you as parents," Souders wrote in his farewell message to parents upon his retirement. "Each has played an instrumental role in the development of the Arcadia Unified School District and I will always remember the cooperation, support and encouragement."

Despite his busy schedule as an educator, Souders devoted much of his spare time to the community. He served on the Arcadia Recreation and Parks Commission, the Arcadia Tournament of Roses Association and on the boards of directors of the Arcadia-Monrovia YMCA, Arcadia Diamond Jubilee Committee and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce.

He was named an honorary lifetime member of the Arcadia Council Parent-Teacher Association, a Paul Harris Fellow by the Arcadia Rotary Club and Citizen of the Year by the Arcadia Child Health Council.

Souders was born in Lincoln, Neb. He served in the Navy during World War II as a lieutenant commander in the Pacific Theater. He received his bachelor's degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. An accomplished athlete, Souders was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. 

He went on to attend Stanford University and the Harvard Business School. He later received a master's degree in business from USC.

Souders is survived by his two sons, Scott and Elbert, and their families.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.