Condolences

Mr. Pens was my favourite teacher and very dear to my heart. I learned many outdoor skills from him that continue to enrich my life. We helped him paint the walls of his classroom to look like the interior of a log cabin. Then we helped peel the logs when he was building his real life log cabin. After 2 wonderful years in his class and many trips to raquette lake I spent an amazing summer as a volunteer there before going to college at Cortland State and getting a Recreation degree in outdoor education all due to his influence. I thank him for all of these wonderful memories from the bottom of my heart. He had a huge impact on me and so many other people. Condolences to his family. He will always be remembered and loved.

Our deepest condolences to your family for your loss. Words can't describe nor soothe the heart ache. Hoping you guys can all lean on each other and take each day as it comes.

Mr. Pens had a great impact upon so many at New Hartford. His ecology class and the trip to Raquette Lake is one of the greatest memories of high school for his students. I was glad years later to reconnect with Mr. Pens and thank him for inspiring me to create my own program at the school where I teach that also brings students to Camp Huntington. Now 15 years later, I have brought almost 500 students of my own to Raquette Lake and that all started with Mr. Pens. His legacy continues in education through the students he taught and now the students of his students. Christa McAuliffe's quote, "I touch the future, I teach." certainly applies to Mr. Pens.

One of new Hartford high schools finest,rip mr pens

We are very sorry to hear about Doug's passing. Sincere condolences to his family.

My family's deepest condolences to your family.
He was a Great man and great Teacher, a mentor many and an inspiration to all that knew him, particularly when it came to alls things ecology and the environment. A favorite teacher of mine.
William C. Blatter New Hartford student of Mr Pens in 1980-81.

Mr Pens was an outstanding teacher. He was not only able to reach his students in the classroom but able to instill an interest in learning that continued on for a lifetime. I can trace my love of the outdoors and wildlife to Ecology Class and our trips to Raquette Lake. Some of my fondest memories are from those trips, from learning how to identify plants, birds and mammal tracks to walking thru snow on snowshoes to adventures through the woods and driving a truck across the frozen lake. Learning was always an adventure with Mr Pens. Rest in peace and I hope you know how many lives you have enriched.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Doug taught me about ecology and the field trips are forever memorable and the information inspiring and especially relevant to today's life on this planet.

Mr. Pens was my favorite teacher and he made learning so fun and engaging that ecology class was by far my favorite. I still even have my binder and notes from 1997/8. The rauqette lake trip in Feb was unforgettable, I remember an iguana getting loose in the classroom hiding in a tree. His teaching shaped our love for the outdoor. He will be greatly missed and prayers for your family during this time

If you are lucky in life you have a teacher that transcends. Mr. Pens, as described in his obituary, was a trailblazer. He “started the very first High School Ecology course in the nation founding an innovative high school Outdoor Education program, which included hands-on learning at SUNY Cortland’s Outdoor Education Center at Raquette Lake”. Biology and chemistry were pre-requisites. Everyone wanted in on the course. The course culminated in a multi day trip to Raquette Lake where in return for staying at Raquette Lake we collected water samples to be tested by Cortland State for acid rain. We rappelled, canoed, hiked, built shelters, polar beared in 48 degree water, and wrote poetry. Another student and I got to ride in a seaplane above Blue Mountain Lake for our poems.
Whenever I think of that trip, I think of The Breakfast Club. Mr. Pens brought together students from all walks of life and taught us to challenge ourselves by being uncomfortable and even afraid, collaborate, work as a team, and let go of the high school labels that defined us and in some ways held us back. For thirty years, he chose us, the kids at New Hartford High School. To be beloved by so many. What a tremendous legacy.

Deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Pens
Lynne Cornish Mignemi Class of 1982

Like so many classmates, my awareness and appreciation of the natural world was jump started by Douglas Pens and his thoughtful ways. It has informed my career as well as my recreation. Also, I never felt closer to my high school ‘78 classmates and teachers than I did on our winter trip to Raquette Lake. I am grateful for his creating the unique space that made that possible. To his family, I hope you find some solace in knowing that his sensibilities regarding the outdoors have been internalized and amplified countless times over through his teaching of his many students.

I am remembering Mr. Pens with gratitude and send my condolences to his family for his loss. Taking Mr. Pens' ecology class in 1990-91 with the outdoor learning and the trip to Raquette Lake in winter were key to my choosing to major in natural resources, and that started me the line of work I am in today.

I am saddened to learn of the passing of my esteemed colleague. He will be remembered by all who knew him.

My favorite all time teacher and my favorite high school class. One of the reasons I love the outdoors, especially the Adirondacks, is because of what Mr. Pens taught me and my classmates. And more importantly how he taught us.

Mr Pens was inspirational to me. His ecology class and trip to Raquette lake in the fall of 1978 was amazing and taught me to love plants and appreciate nature in a way my 17 yo brain hadn’t! I too went into the sciences for a career and spend whatever time I can hiking the Adirondacks identifying plants and birds and finding peace. Thank you Mr Pens for all you brought to people like me and your work protecting nature and our planet. Rest in peace.

Sending his family and friends my condolences at this difficult time.

Mr. Pens was all that was good and caring in a teacher and mentor. I had the opportunity to travel and share some time with him after graduation in 1980. He true love and joy for both nature and family was clear and an inspiration.

Sending my sympathies and prayers for Mr. Pens and his family! He was one of my favorite teachers in high school! I learned so much from him and often amazed my children with various things I remembered from ecology! The world has lost a wonderful man and educator!