When Neil Armstrong passed earlier this month, the world lost a hero and a legend. What many people did not know, was that Brother Armstrong was an avid musician and made an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi at Purdue University. The following was printed in the Podium in 1969 and tells about Brother Armstrong’s musical roots and his affiliation with Kappa Kappa Psi.

First Man on the Moon
Reprinted from the November 1969 edition of the Podium

When Neil Armstrong stepped out on the moon’s surface, the world thrilled at mankind’s greatest adventure. And musicians said: “He’s one of us.”

Musicians form a close brotherhood, but they also believe in music for everyone, including men who explore space. So does Neil Armstrong. Though flying has been his lifelong passion, Armstrong is also devoted to music. As a teenager, he worked and saved to pay for flying lessons and still eked out enough extra money to buy a Conn baritone horn. He earned his pilot’s license at 16, even before he had his driver’s license; and he was the leader of a musical combo as well as a faithful member of the school band.

Armstrong’s love for music began when he was a small child. He joined the Upper Sandusky, Ohio, school band when he was an eighth grader, and chose to play baritone horn.

“I asked him why he chose such a big horn,” his mother recalls. “He was such a little fellow and it seemed to be more than he could carry. But he said he liked the tone. So, of course, we didn’t discourage him. And perhaps the school band needed a baritone player.

I never had to remind him to practice. He just naturally set aside time for that.”

The family had moved to Wapakoneta, Ohio, by the time Armstrong entered high school. He played in the school band, of course, but also for Boy Scout and church events. For sheer fu , he formed the “Mississippi Moonshiners,” a jazz band that performed at school dances and assembly intermissions.

“Neil was a very good musician,” says Jerre Maxon, the trombonist of the group. “He had a strong driving afterbeat, you know, and really kept us going. He sure loved music. He said music contributed to ‘thought control,’ and he always tried to improve his playing.

There were only six boys in the Wapakoneta 45-piece band and we had a lot of fun. After the football game, when we went downtown to parade, Neil would turn his cap around and march backwards, just for laughs. Sometimes we would trade off instruments. I suppose we drove the band director crazy-but those were good times.”

But with the exception of these episodes with the band and the “Moonshiners,” Maxon remembers Armstrong as a quiet, reserved young man, who said little. “I think one of the hardest parts of the moon mission for Neil will be the public speaking,” Maxon comments.

“He wanted his own instrument,” reports Neil’s father, Stephen. “In those days, our family had few luxuries. Neil worked at Neumeister’s Bakery cleaning the bread mixer until he had raised enough money to buy a Conn baritone horn.

Neil got his love of music from his mother. She played piano and assisted Neil to play piano, too. Sometimes, in the evening, Neil with his baritone, his brother Dean and his cornet, and his sister June with her violin would gather around Viola at the piano, and they would play. What a good time they had.” B. S. Porter Music Company in Lima, Ohio, has proudly framed the guarantee card of Dean’s Conn cornet, serial No. 163721.

After high school graduation, Armstrong won a Navy scholarship, and in the fall of 1947, went to Purdue University. His Conn baritone went along, and he performed with the Purdue “All American” Marching Band and Concert Band, under the direction of Paul Emrick.

Maxine LeFevre, assistant to AI Wright, Purdue’s current director of bands, serves as band historian. She says Neil Armstrong is remembered by his classmates as a likeable boy with a bashful smile.
“His band colleagues recall the pride he took in his horn,” Miss leFevre says. “No one dreamed at the time that by 1962 we would hear Neil was chosen to be an astronaut. The Purdue Marching Band did a half-time show in his honor that fall. Oddly enough, we titled the show ‘First Bandsman on the Moon’ and it came true!”

In 1966, Armstrong visited the Purdue campus and appeared in the variety show which the band was presenting for visiting alumni during Gala Week . The band presented him with a Purdue band blazer and Honorary Membership in the Gamma Pi Chapter of KKY, national band fraternity. Along with the pledge board and pledge cap, Armstrong was given his KKY pin. This year, when he learned he would be the first man to set foot on the moon, he wrote AI Wright that he hoped to carry the pin along on his flight.

Neil Armstrong never lost his love for music. “Every time Neil came home in these past years,” says his father, “one of the first things he would do was sit down at the piano and play.”

“That seemed to be part of coming home,” his mother adds. “After he had played three or four things, he was ready to sit down and tell us what he had been doing.”

But there never was another chance for the “Mississippi Moonshiners” to get together for a session. Maxon stayed in Wapakoneta where he became a successful contractor. Jim Mougey, the clarinetist, is now a band director in Norwalk, Ohio. Bob Gustafson, second trombonist, is a teacher in Springfield, Ohio.

At home in Houston, during his free time, Armstrong still enjoys playing his musical instrument. Occasionally, he and his wife, Janet, entertain friends with a duet. Twelve-year-old Ricky Armstrong is taking music lessons. Mark, six, without any doubt will be taking music lessons soon-perhaps as the boy behind the Conn baritone in band.

On July 22, 2012 Kappa Kappa Psi and the South Carolina State University Band program lost a great advocate and teacher. Mr. Ronald J. Sarjeant, received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University in 1970 and was initiated into the Delta Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in the fall of 1969. From that time, he worked to live the values of our organization and was committed to the college movement.

Mr. Sarjeant went on to serve as the Assistant Director of Band at Tuskegee University and later became the Director of Bands. In 1976 he left Tuskegee to serve as the Director of Band at South Carolina State University. He served the band program and mentored hundreds of students until his retirement in 2004. For his work with the South Carolina State Band and community, he was recently inducted into the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame.

The current SCSU Director of Bands, Mr. Ed Ellis, has this to say on the bands website, “Concert clarinetist, arranger, composer, teacher, mentor are but a few words to describe Ronald J. Sarjeant. He has left a mark at South Carolina State University that will never be forgotten. His many musical arrangements will continue to be played by the “101.” Although short in stature he was a giant in the field of music and music education. All who have enjoyed his music whether student, football fan, or music lover should remember him for all the good that he did. Sarge you and your legacy will never be forgotten!”

Mr. Sarjeant was an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi since his initiation. He was the advisor to the Zeta Eta Chapter at SCSU and advised the Epsilon Chi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. From 1993 to 2000, he served the fraternity as Southeast District Governor. Countless brothers had the opportunity to learn from Mr. Sarjeant, and his legacy will continue to thrive in our fraternity through the members he mentored. We are a better fraternity due to his service to the brotherhood.

Our most sincere condolences are with the family and the South Carolina State Community.

Robert R. Gross, III, 54, of Bethlehem Township, died Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in St. Lukes Hospice House. He was the husband of Maryann (Salamone) Gross. They celebrated their 29th anniversary last June 19. Mr. Gross has been Superintendent of Schools in the Salisbury Township School District since 2010, and has been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Wilkes University since 2006. After receiving both a B.S. and M.M. from West Chester University, he began his teaching career in 1980 as Band Director and Music Teacher at Garnet Valley High School. He later became Band Director and Music Teacher at Emmaus High School, and was appointed chairperson of the East Penn School District Music Department. In 1991 he moved to the West Shore School District in Lewisberry, where he served in various positions leading to Assistant Superintendent. He was Associate Superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District from 2005 – 2008. He served as Superintendent of Schools in the Kutztown Area School District for two years until accepting his current position of Superintendent of Schools in Salisbury Township. Since receiving his Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certification from Lehigh University in 1996, he has been pursuing a Doctorate Degree from Walden University. Mr. Gross held memberships in American Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, National Staff Development Council, Pennsylvania Association of School Personnel Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, North American Educational Negotiators, and the Society for Human Resource Management. He also belonged to the Lehigh Valley Society of the Arts, Historic Bethlehem Partnership, and Friends of Music in Bethlehem. He was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Bethlehem Township, and the Knights of Columbus. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late Robert R., Jr. and Louise (Scott) Gross.

Published in Morning Call on June 1, 2012

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, for Charles Millard Reinken, who passed from this life on Feb. 3, 2011, in Lubbock, Texas, where he resided. The service will be at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Plainview, followed by a brief reception and time of visitation. Charley was born Aug. 2, 1946, in Washington, D.C., beloved son of the late James Harold Reinken and Marvena Taylor Reinken, and grandson of the late Charles John F. Reinken and Johanna Dalies Reinken and William Jasper Taylor and Lutie Samantha Taylor. He leaves one sister, Janis Reinken of Austin, Texas, and a host of dear friends and cousins. First cousins from the Taylor family include Ardis R. Daniel and Gleva Smith of Blanco Community, Gloria R. Eden of Richardson, Kay Pritchard of Plainview, Glenna Taylor McLeod of Panhandle, Charles Taylor and Christine F. Nelson of Lubbock, Leon Foster of Tulia, Cheryl S. Hardin of Lubbock, Rita S. Estes of Amarillo; and, from the Reinken family, James A. Armstrong and Kathy Armstrong Ladd of Livonia, Mich., and Janet Armstrong Burke of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Honorary pallbearers will be Samuel Neal Braudt, David Bradshaw, James B. Davenport, Eric Kramer, John P. McGarr III and Jim Morgan. Interment will be at Plainview Memorial Cemetery at a time prior to the memorial service.

Charley Reinken had a distinguished 36-year newspaper career that spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with a concentration in the heartland. After graduating from Texas Tech with an MA in journalism, a BBA in administrative management, with minors in sociology and industrial engineering, Charley got his start in newspapers at the Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram as assistant wire editor. In 1976, he began working as assistant news editor for The Houston Post, where he would spend 16 fruitful years. In 1981, the Post named him entertainment and fine arts editor, and in 1984, he became deputy editor of editorial/opinion pages. His travels on behalf of the Post included journeys to Israel, the Netherlands and Scotland. From 1992 to 1999, Charley was editor of the editorial/opinion pages of the Fayetteville Observer, North Carolina’s oldest daily newspaper (founded 1816). Charley was named deputy editor of the editorial pages of the Omaha World-Herald in 1999. In 2002, he assumed the editorship of the editorial pages. His final assignment for the World-Herald was as vice president for editorial page development. He served as editor of letters to the editor column of the Kansas City Star from 2005 to 2006. Charley was national desk senior copy editor for the Los Angeles Times, the largest newspaper on the West Coast, in 2007 and 2008. His final assignment as a journalist was in 2009-2010, as deputy local news editor of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which also is the home of Charley’s alma mater, Texas Tech University.

Among the honors and activities in Charley’s prominent career are national secretary, treasurer and vice president of the National Conference of Editorial Editors; “Andy” Award, given by the University of Nebraska at Omaha for promoting understanding of international issues; first place, N.C. Working Press, editorial writing; AP and UPI statewide awards in Texas; 1993 Outstanding Alumnus of the Texas Tech School of Mass Communications; adjunct faculty, University of Houston, 1987; Texas Tech Mass Communications Advisory Committee, 1986-91; weekly commentary of KRIV-TV in Houston, 1985. His work also appeared in World Book Encyclopedia, the Texas Observer, American Way magazine, The Masthead, Columbia Journalism Review and American Journalism Review. Among Charley’s other lifelong passions were photography, woodworking, backpacking, classical music and band music; he played piano, clarinet and other musical instruments. He was fluent in Spanish, proficient in French and German and read some Italian and Latin. Reinken was a 1964 graduate of Plainview High School and a proud member of the award-winning PHS band and the Texas Tech University marching and concert bands, and Court Jesters. He was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity, Texas Tech Chapter. For those wishing to provide memorials, a band scholarship has been established in his memory at Plainview High School, to be coordinated through PHS Senior Counselor Rob Knight.

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 of Falls Church, VA. Beloved partner of Al Fuertes; loving son of Gary Fissell and Mary Cina; brother of Kristine (Joey) Simpkins; uncle of Hannah Simpkins, nephew of Elizabeth Lineham RSM, Thomas Lineham, James Lineham and Gregory Fissell. Friends may call at the MURPHY FALLS CHURCH FUNERAL HOME, 1102 W. Broad St. (Rt. 7) on Monday, from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 1 p.m. at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Daniel Fissell Music Foundation, c/o Rev. Dr. Al Fuertes at afuertes@gmu.edu

Dan was a native of Virginia. He graduated from McLean High School in 1992. In 1997, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from West Virginia University and a Master’s degree in Music from George Mason University in 2009.

He joined Fairfax County Public Schools in September 1998, as an orchestra teacher at Holmes Middle School. In 2003, he transitioned to the elementary level. At the time of his death, Dan taught orchestra at Vienna, Marshall Road, Cunningham Park and Stenwood elementary schools.

Dan Fissell died on March 10, 2010 as the result of injuries he received in a house fire.

Dan was an accomplished orchestra director in Fairfax County Public Schools and he was a huge advocate for music education. Dan also enjoyed traveling, especially to the Philippines. During his visits to the Philippines, Dan developed close ties to academic universities and organizations; he immersed himself in learning about the country, the people, their cultures and their educational programs. After traveling to the tiny island of Siquijor, and learning about the culture of the healers who lived there, Dan chose to do his graduate thesis on Healing in Siquijor. During his research and focusing on his passion for music education, Dan soon discovered there was a great need for financial support for public school music programs.

In 2005 in conjunction with Silliman University, Dan arranged his first of many pilgrimages to the Philippines to fulfill his goal to support public music programs in that country. Dan organized the Capital Youth Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra included his past and present orchestra students. The purpose of the program was to bring attention to the need for more music programs in schools and to raise money for The Pay-It-Forward Foundation, a local charity in the Philippines.

Dr. R. Robert Sr., beloved husband of Mary Hornyak (nee Lewis), loving father of Deborah (Dr. Mark) Crnkovich and the late Roy Robert Hornyak, Jr., grandfather of Jessica (Glenn) Schatz, Kirsten and Nicholas Crnkovich, dear brother of Naomie Sulack. Dr. Hornyak retired as Professor Emeritus of Music, College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati with 32 years of service and a second career as an American Baptist Minister. He was also a WW II and Korean War Navy Veteran retired from the Reserves as Lt. Commander. Sunday, November 22, 2009. Age 84 years. Visitation Saturday from 9 AM until time of Funeral Service at 11 AM at the Dalbert, Woodruff & Isenogle Funeral Home, 2880 Boudinot Avenue, 45238. Memorials may be made to the Hornyak Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Cincinnati, Attn: Crysta Flueck (christa.flueck@uc.edu) or the Kirkwood Camp, Attn: Ken Atchison, 8341 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45236.

Henry Edward Wamsley, Jr., 81, of Lake Charles, died Friday afternoon in Houston. Mr. Wamsley was born on August 6, 1928 in West Point, MS. He was reared on the campus of Mississippi State University and attended Starkville (Mississippi) High School where he lettered in football, band, swimming and diving. His swimming skills were such that he was a certified lifeguard at the Mississippi State University Pool. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. After graduation, Mr. Wamsley entered the U. S. Navy serving aboard the USS Leyte. He was selected to attend the United States Naval School of Music in Bambridge, Maryland. His principal area of studies included the trumpet and he studied to play with the Philadelphia Symphonic Orchestra. After his discharge from the U. S. Navy, Mr. Wamsley entered Louisiana State University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While at LSU he taught music and band at Mandeville High School. Mr. Wamsley received his Master’s of Music Education from Vanderhook College of Music in Chicago. Mr. Wamsley served as band director at Greenwood (MS) Junior High for eight years and Pascagoula (MS) High School for two years before coming to the Calcasieu Parish School System. He was band director at Iowa High School for thirteen years and later assistant Band Director at LaGrange Senior High School. He served as band director at Forest K. White Middle School for sixteen years. For the past eleven years, he taught band and music at Holy Family Catholic School and two of those years, he taught at St. Louis Catholic High School. Until his death, Mr. Wamsley was the oldest working teacher in Calcasieu Parish. Mr. Wamsley was a member of Trinity Baptist Church for thirty-three years and was an active member of the church orchestra. He recently joined First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Chancel Choir. Mr. Wamsley was a member of the Lake Charles Symphony, the Phi Mu Alpha, Symphonia, the Music Educators National Conference, and a member of the District Five Band Directors Association. He was selected as Band Director of the Year by the District Five Band Members. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Arledge Wamsley; son, Henry Edward “Trip” Wamsley, III and wife, Sarun Keller Wamsley; daughter, Laura Wamsley Towne and husband, Gerald Wallis Towne; grandchildren, Katharine Elise, David Edward and Michael Everett Towne and Alexander Edward Wamsley. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at Consolata Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 PM on Tuesday afternoon at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Richard H. Humphries and Rev. Louis Blankenbaker will officiate. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday. The family will receive friends at the church from 3:00 until 4:00 pm on Tuesday at the church. Pallbearers for the service will be Tony Atkins, Devane Dorman, Norman Janes, John Kelley, Orville Kelley, Rod Lauderdale, Charles Rue, and Jackson Schrumpf. Memorial donation in Mr. Wamsley’s memory may be made to Mississippi State Foundation Wamsley Award, PO Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762