You're thinking of Thomas Dewey, NY politician (federal prosecutor, governor of NY, Republican candidate for president vs. Truman, etc.); the topic of this thread is
John Dewey, educator.
No relation.
Oops, my bad. Wrote all that for nothing. But I'm sure I heard my parents mention something about education associated with the pol Dewey. A kid's memory isn't perfect though, am sure I got the other details right in my little ramble there because it made such an impression on me.
There are definitely gaps in my memory, hints of things that just won't come back, not talking about dark stuff, just ordinary things. There are bits and pieces but can't connect them to the event(s). Then out of the blue, I'll get something back, but most of what I do remember (correctly) has always been there.