Tower Hill Remembers Former Headmaster Malcolm Coates

The Tower Hill community is saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Coates, 89, of Boxford, Massachusetts, who served as headmaster from 1960-1976. Coates died on May 19, 2015 surrounded by his family following a courageous time with Alzheimer's disease. 

Born and raised in Wayne, Pennsylvania, he attended Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square. After high school he served in the Navy as an airplane navigator during World War II, attaining the rank of Lieutenant.  He graduated from Williams College in 1948, then received a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and was later honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Williams College for his work in school communities. 

 

Coates arrived at Tower Hill in the fall of 1956 to teach English in the Upper School and served as dean of students before being appointed headmaster in 1960. He is credited with promoting creative thinking skills within the curriculum; increasing cultural opportunities for students; encouraging professional development for faculty; supporting students’ mental and emotional health; and overseeing significant construction projects. Many remembered Coates in his office studying pictures of new students, as he made it a point to know every pupil’s name.

Coates went to serve as headmaster of Lake Forest Country Day School and Landon School. He had long tenures as an active member of the Headmasters Association and The Country Day School Headmasters' Association of the United States. After retirement from Landon in 1990, he became a senior consultant for Carney, Sandoe and Associates for the next ten years. 

 

He served for 20 years as a trustee of Pingree School in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and presented a vision for the establishment of the Prep@Pingree Program for the enrichment of minority students, which was later named in his honor.  He was an active leader as a founding trustee of Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free independent school for girls in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In addition, he served as senior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church and as a board member of A Better Chance and the Essex County Community Foundation. In 2012, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award from The Danvers Committee for Diversity. 

 

Throughout his long, productive life, Coates enjoyed storytelling with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, relaxing on Casco Bay in Maine, reading, skiing, hiking, and playing tennis. He was the devoted husband of Deborah Lake Coates, with whom he shared over 38 years of marriage. Beside his loving wife, he is survived by his beloved children, daughter Carter and her husband James Donovan of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; daughter Judy and her husband Whitney Mitchell of Hanover, New Hampshire; son Malcolm Coates, Jr. of Phippsburg, Maine; son J. Webster Coates and wife Ryoko of Tokyo, Japan; and son, David L. Coates and wife Sophie of Baltimore, Maryland; as well as 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Malcolm was a scholar and man of good works on behalf of those most in need. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 27 at 12 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Topsfield, for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Malcolm's name to Esperanza Academy, 198 Garden Street, Lawrence, MA 01840, or The Malcolm Coates Prep@Pingree Program, Pingree School, 537 Highland Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982.