John DeKoven Pulford

Heathwood Hall mourns the loss of longtime faculty member John Pulford, whose passion for teaching, love for his students, and dedication to our community left a lasting impact on generations of Highlanders.

John, or ‘Pulf’ as he was known around campus, joined Heathwood in 1983 and spent more than three decades inspiring students through Humanities and U.S. History. He challenged students to think deeply, engage in Socratic seminars, debate literature, and explore American history, but just as importantly, he made sure his students knew they were cared for. He checked in on them, asked how they were doing, and found ways to make even the hardest lessons fun.

John also played an important role in Heathwood’s experiential learning initiatives, including Senior Exhibition and the Billy Budd trial, and served as longtime chair of the Social Studies Department and leader of the Critical Friends Group. He was a mentor to many of his colleagues and helped shape generations of students, many of whom would go on to identify him as one of their most influential teachers.

Outside the classroom, he was a familiar face at Heathwood football games, a beloved leader of Williamsburg Winterim trips, and an enthusiastic participant in our multilingual chapel. His dedication to teaching was recognized when he was named the SCISA Teacher of the Year in 2005 and received the Devanny Award in 2016. He retired from Heathwood that same year, leaving behind a legacy that continues through the countless lives he touched. And we will always remember his famous sign-off: “Peace, love and lollipops!”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s family and loved ones and ask our community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 💚💙

The family is hosting a memorial service in Heathwood Hall’s Chapel of the Epiphany on Saturday, October 17 at 2 PM.