Joseph Pynchon Sr., La Pietra-Hawai'i School for Girls' first headmaster and the man students called "Papa P," died Jan. 2. He was 81.

Pynchon, who died at a nursing home in Boise, Idaho, was headmaster of the school on the slopes of Diamond Head from 1964 when it was seventh, eighth and ninth grades until his retirement at the end of the 1990-91 school year. Today the school is grades 6 to 12.

"He was an incredible man," said Laurie Callies, of Honolulu and a member of the school's 1970 graduating class. "He was so accepting of any student's level of ability. That's what set him apart."

As the headmaster, Pynchon firmly believed that women could take on any profession they wanted, his son, Joseph "Jay" Pynchon Jr., said.

"He always put us kids and the young ladies at the school first and foremost," he said. "When he gave you advice, it was dead-on, whether you realized it then or 30 years later. He had a special wisdom that transcended the generations."

Pynchon joined La Pietra from 'Iolani School where had been the chairman of the English Department. He and his wife moved to Honolulu from Winnetka, Ill., in the 1960s where he had been on the North Shore County Day School English faculty. Born in Boston, Pynchon served in Italy and India with the American Field Service during World War II. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., and a master's in education from Harvard University.

Annie Landrum, who now is the La Pietra director of development and alumnae affairs, also graduated from the school in 1970. She said that Pynchon always amazed her with his quick recall of past graduates. He'd often meet up with them on the Mainland and would remember their names and the year of their graduation.

"We called him Papa P, but never to his face," Landrum said. "He knew all of our strengths and weaknesses and he always had time for us. He was a force of nature and a good influence on every girl there."

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Cheney; sons, David Lewis, Joseph Jr. and William; daughter, Anne Savage; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Honolulu, pending arrangements by the family.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.