Roderick Rosser (Eta Nu) 1981-2018

Our beloved husband, father and son, Roderick Shane Rosser, 37, was called home to with the Lord Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Texoma Medical Center.

Roderick was born September 4, 1981 in Denison, Texas the son of Hector Garza and Thelma Rosser in Denison, Texas. He married the love of his life, Janice Marie Hunsaker. He enjoyed fishing and racing model Traxxas Cars. He loved spending time with his family and friends. But he had a true passion for music, he was a band instructor for Denison ISD. Roderick was an active and alumni member of the ETA NU Chapter KKY. He loved playing in Southeastern Alumni Band; Smoking Aces Brass Band; Rude King Band in Dallas. Although his passing leaves a void in all of our lives, he will live on forever in our hearts.

Roderick leaves behind his beloved family, wife, Janice Rosser of Denison, TX; son, Dakota Rosser of Denison, TX; daughters, Deanna Boyd of Denison, TX; Danica Boyd of Denison, TX; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and one uncle.

Funeral services for Mr. Rosser will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Park Avenue Church of Christ with Minister Todd Catteau officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. Family and friends will gather to visit from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Fisher Funeral Home.
Condolences may be registered online at www.fisherfh.com.

Published in The Herald Democrat from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2, 2018

Margaret “Maggie” St. Clair (Nu) 1954-2018

Margaret “Maggie” St. Clair of Chelsea, Michigan Age 64, passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 24, 2018. She was born June 26, 1954 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Edmund Ernst & Joan Marie (Downey) Gunther. Maggie graduated from Dexter High School in 1972, and is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University. She hired into the University of Michigan in 1974. She hit her high point as the Director of Administration for the Michigan Marching Band, where for over 30 years she was very loved, appreciated, and respected, with many friends. In Chelsea, she was very involved with her son’s activities, including Washington Street Show Choir and manager for Chelsea Varsity Hockey. She married Gerald St. Clair in 1975, and he survives. Other survivors include her son, Craig (Julia) St. Clair of Chandler, AZ; her father, Edmund Gunther of Dexter; her brother, Paul Gunther (Jen Ripple) of Ann Arbor; two sisters, Jean (Robert) Groh of CA; Connie Conlin of Saline; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joan Gunther; her brother, Thomas Gunther; and her aunt, Donna Downey. Her life will be celebrated with a Mass Friday, November 30, 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church at 14200 E Old US 12, Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Visitation begins at 10am. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 29 from 6-8p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, with a vigil service at 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Maggie St. Clair Scholarship Fund with the Michigan Marching Band. Designation to the University of Michigan Marching Band, attention Kimberly Baumgartner, Revelli Hall, 350 E. Hoover St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 -3707.

Richard “Rick” Frank Albani (Delta Omicron) 1951-2018

Richard “Rick” Frank Albani, 67, husband of Rose Kobylinski, of Fairfax, VA, passed away on Monday, Nov 19th, 2018 of pancreatic cancer. He was the son of Marie (Afflitto) Albani and the late John C. Albani of East Hartford, CT. Rick was born on Aug 3, 1951 in Hartford, CT and was raised in East Hartford, CT. He attended George J. Penney High School Class of ’69, in East Hartford and made Eagle Scout with Troop 238 in 1968. He graduated from the University of Connecticut Class of ’74 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, and was a member of UCONN’s Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity. From 1975-77, Rick served as National Member-at-Large for Kappa Kappa Psi and returned to the national leadership as District IX Governor from 1979-81.  He received his Master’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Hartford in 1988. Most recently, Rick worked at Chemonics International in the fields of Water and Waste Water Management, where he shared his expertise in many parts of the world including: Egypt, Kosovo and Lebanon. In his spare time, Rick’s hobby and passion was the theater. He was very active in many theatre groups in the Washington Metropolitan area including: Hexagon, The Arlington Players, First Draft, The Rose Theatre Co. He was Assistant Technical Director at Bishop Ireton H.S. theatre program in Falls Church, VA.Rick is preceded in death by his father, John C. Albani. He is survived by his wife, Rose M. Kobylinski from Fairfax, VA; his mother, Marie Albani from East Hartford, CT; his sister, Donna Albani Fazzino and her husband, Salvatore Fazzino from Middletown, CT and their children: Lisa and Claudio Emanuele from Cromwell, CT and Brian and Patricia Fazzino from Danbury, CT. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Marie Kobylinski from Port Jefferson, NY, Leslie Kobylinski (Jim Bachman) and their son Bart from Mclean, VA and Magda Mooers (Don) and their children: Stephen, Johnny, and Annie from Bethesda, MD. He is also survived by two aunts and many cousins, who all loved him dearly.A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 from 1pm to 5pm at Demaine Funeral Home, located at 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA. All are welcome. On January 12th, 2019 at 11am, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, in East Hartford, CT. All are welcome.In lieu of flowers at either service, the family requests that donations be made to The Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dept 0734, 3970 Reservoir Rd., Washington DC 20073-0734 or to Maryland Proton Treatment Center, 850 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Heather Ann Leroy Riddleberger (Eta Rho) 1977-2018

Heather Ann LeRoy Riddleberger, 41, of Salisbury, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, November 18th, 2018 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after a brief illness. Born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Brenda LeRoy and the late Robert LeRoy.

After graduating from Manasquan High School (New Jersey) in 1995, Heather attended West Chester University (Pennsylvania), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999.  Heather became a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi in the Spring of 1997, as a member of Eta Rho’s Alpha Alpha membership class. She served as a Drum Major in the 1997 season and as the Student Director in the 1998 season for the WCU Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band. Heather  completed graduate studies at Westminster Choir College (New Jersey) during the early years of her music teaching career. She served as the choral director at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Berlin, Maryland from 2000-2007 and as a music instructor at Wicomico Middle School in Salisbury, Maryland from 2013-present. She was a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church in Salisbury, where she was a member of the choir and served in other leadership roles for many years.

Heather is survived by her husband of 16 years, Todd L. Riddleberger; her son, Justin L. Riddleberger; her mother, Brenda LeRoy; parents-in-law, John and Patricia Riddleberger; several other family members; and many special friends and colleagues.

A memorial service will be held at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Salisbury on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 1:30-3:00 p.m.. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Heather’s name to the Neurology Department of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, which provided her with such loving care in her final days…

The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Neurosurgery 550 North Broadway, 7th Floor, Suite 722 Baltimore, MD 21205

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Lazaro Manuel Amador (Delta Upsilon) 1999-2018

It is with great sadness that I write this story about our Angel Lazaro Manuel Amador who suddenly passed away on Thursday November 8, 2018 at Eastern Michigan University.

Lazaro was 19 Years Old and living his dream as a Student and Band Member at the EMU School of Music where he played the Tuba. The Tuba became his passion at an early age and he knew he wanted to go to Music School since he was very young so to say he was truly living his best life at EMU is to say the least.  Lazaro was beloved by his Bandmates, Classmates, Professors and Faculty. He spent every moment he could doing what he Loved. He was also a Staff Member at EMU. Today EMU is mourning his loss as we are. Lazaro was found unresponsive in the Music Room so we know he took his last breath surrounded by his Instruments.

Tito as our family called him was truly an amazing Son, Brother, Nephew and Grandson he made us all very proud. He left us too early and now we are left with a void and just the memories of his Smile and his Tuba but we all know Tito left knowing how loved he was by everyone.

His sudden passing leaves his Parents with Medical Bills and Funeral Arrangements that no parent should have to endure so we are asking our Family, Friends and the Community to Help Us Raise the Funds to Bring Lazaro Back HOME to West Palm Beach so his Parents can Lay him to Rest…… Thank You On Behalf of The Amador & Leon Family

Fly High Tito
Till We Meet Again
We Love You

KKΨAA Max Mitchell Grant Program

One of the goals of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association (“KKΨAA”) for the 2017-2019 biennium is to develop a significant program of service and musicianship in which any local alumni association (“LAA”) of the fraternity may participate.  

The Alumni Association Board of Directors (“AABOD”) created a proposal for consideration by the Kappa Kappa Psi Board of Trustees and the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees for such a program that reflected:

  1. a desire to support the NIB program by helping to attract outstanding band members, regardless of their financial situations;
  2. an additional desire to help NIB participants with out-of-pocket expenses;
  3. a goal of providing all LAAs (and groups considering the formation of an LAA) with a program that is already defined and can serve as an initial goal for that group; and
  4. an additional goal of making this program achievable by a wide range of LAAs.

The two Board of Trustees have approved this new program, called the “KKΨAA Max Mitchell Grant Program for NIB Musicians.

Read more about the program here.

 

Tyler A. Butterfield (Epsilon Omega) 1998-2018

Funeral service for Tyler A. Butterfield, 20, of Lincoln, formerly of Norfolk will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Norfolk with Tim DeFor officiating. Interment will be at the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Norfolk. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. Tyler died Friday, October 26, 2018 as the result of a traffic accident in Lincoln, Nebraska. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements.
Tyler was born on May 2, 1998 to Terry and Tammy (Young) Butterfield in Norfolk. He attended grade school at Bel-Air Elementary in Norfolk and then graduated from Norfolk High School in 2016. Tyler was currently a junior at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln majoring in Accounting.
Tyler Butterfield was an outstanding young man who was very passionate about the things he loved. While he was an avid fan of video games, Star Wars, and (yes) Legos, his greatest love was for his family and friends, Cornhusker football, music, and his cat “Whiskers”. Tyler was a very talented musician who had an appreciation for all genres of music. He was self-taught on many musical instruments and even composed his own music. He played piano, drums, and trombone to name a few, but his most treasured instrument was his silver trumpet. Tyler took great pride in playing trumpet in the Cornhusker Marching Band and had a leadership role there. He was also in the UNL Big Red Express and Friday Night pep bands. While attending Norfolk High School, Tyler was involved in concert band, jazz band, and was a leader in the Pride of the Panthers Marching Band. He performed in All-State Band and various honor bands as well. Tyler set a high performance standard for himself and was an outstanding example for other students to follow. He was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa award his senior year (as well as many other music and academic awards throughout his high school career).
In addition to Tyler’s accomplishments in music, he was an exemplary student. He received many academic awards and had secured a constant spot on the Dean’s List while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Business majoring in accounting. Most of his activities while living in the dorm at UNL involved studying, spending time with his bandmates, and keeping in touch with friends and family through online gaming. It wasn’t necessarily the gaming that was important but it was a way to keep in touch with family and friends who were far away.
Tyler traveled home to Norfolk often to be with his mom and sister. When in town, he always made time to visit his grandparents and would often play his trumpet for them. On holidays, he, along with his sister, Taylor, and cousins, Kayla and Adam, provided many impromptu music performances for the family. Tyler would play his trumpet or piano while the others played their orchestra string instruments. The time and talent he shared gave his family great joy and many treasured memories.
Tyler earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 122 Norfolk in 2016. He continued to live his life as an outstanding example of everything an Eagle Scout stands for and lived each day by the scout oath and law. Tyler’s dad passed away in 2017. Tyler overcame the difficulties and tragedies life can bring and still managed to be an outstanding young man living his life to the fullest and purposefully every day.
Tyler was a member of The National Honor Society, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma National Academic Honor Societies, and was a member of the Honorary Band Fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. He was a recipient of the David Scholarship, the Ronald James Rotherham Scholarship, and other scholarships while at UNL.
Tyler worked at the Norfolk Hy-Vee East store and, after his sophomore year in college, did a summer internship with the accounting firm of Sehi & Associates in Norfolk.
Tyler was an avid sports fan. While he was also a fan of the Detroit Lions and Golden State Warriors, his greatest pride and joy was his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was truly a Husker through and through.
Tyler had an easy way about him. He was not boisterous or rude. He was a loving, kind, caring, compassionate, and thoughtful young man with integrity, a subtle humor, and a quick wit. While smiling and posing for pictures was never his favorite activity, he always wore a real smile and could easily make you laugh. He was a delightful young man and beautiful human being who was dearly loved by family and friends and will be truly missed.
Survivors include his mother Tammy Butterfield of Norfolk, sister Taylor Butterfield of Norfolk, paternal grandparents Dean and Judy Butterfield of Norfolk, Maternal grandparents Gale and Elaine Young of Norfolk, Uncles Dan Young of Battle Creek, Stan Young of Battle Creek, Aunt Jeanie (Mitch) Kester of Norfolk, Uncle John Butterfield of California, cousins Nic (Nicole) Young and their daughter Adalyn, Kayla Kester, and Adam Kester, and his cat Whiskers.  Tyler was preceded in death by his father Terry Butterfield.
Pianist for the service will be Bill Miller and trumpeter for the service will be Dr. Darryl White.
Casket Bearers will be Adam Kester, Nic Young, Colin Wood, Dan Young, Stan Young, Mitch Kester, and John Butterfield.
Honorary casket bearers will be Tyler’s fellow classmates, Boy Scout Troop 122, and the Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band Members.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorials to be made to the family for a later designation.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

 

Pamela Bellmore Gardner (Delta Omicron) 1969-2018

Pamela Bellmore Gardner, age 49, of West Haven passed away on October 25, 2018 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was the loving wife of Scott Gardner. Pam was born in New Haven, daughter of Harold and Patricia Scherer Bellmore of West Haven. Mother of Mackenzie Gardner and Kevin Gardner and sister of James Bellmore of FL. Pam was the principal at West Haven High School.
The hours for visitation will be SUNDAY from 3-7 p.m. at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the Church of St. Louis on Monday to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West Haven High School Senior Scholarship Fund, ATTN: Dana Parades 1 McDonough Plaza, West Haven, CT 06516. For more information and to leave a condolence, please visit www.westhavenfuneral.com

Published in The New Haven Register from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27, 2018

2019 AABOD Elections

2019 will mark the first elections for the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD). Applications are due by January 15 to Eric Morson of the Board of Trustees at eric@kkpsi.org.

Click below to read definitions of the AABOD’s role and mission, the election timeline, candidate requirements and application materials.

2019 Election Info

Carol W. Risinger (Beta Sigma) 1944-2018

Houston, TX – Carol W. Risinger, age 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 11, 2018 in Spring, Texas. She was born on February 6, 1944 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Robert T. Williamson and Nettie Lamberth Williamson.

She grew up in Leesville, Louisiana and attended Vernon Parish schools. After graduating from Leesville High School, she attended Northwestern State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1967. She accepted a position with Texas Eastern in Shreveport, Louisiana where she met her husband, Ronnie Risinger. They were married on April 3, 1969. Ronnie and Carol had 3 daughters and one son. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1977 where she resided until her death.

One of her greatest joys was working as the program coordinator to the band department at the University of Houston. She loved having the opportunity to make an impact and be impacted by so many students for the past 20 years. “Miss Carol” was the consummate “band mom” who was sought out by students for the love, understanding and guidance she provided them. Carol was proud of her heritage as a native of Louisiana. She was an avid supporter of the LSU Tigers, U of H Cougars, Spring Lions and most of all, her beloved Houston Astros. Her love of family and her faith in God were the foundation she built her life on.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary and husband David Coleman, daughter Lisa and husband Darren Morris, daughter Terri and husband Chris Clemons, son Brian Risinger and Leigh Ann Rucker, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, and one sister, Robbie Endris and husband Leonard.

Family, friends, and loved ones are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, October 13 at 3 p.m. at Spring Baptist Church located at 1027 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring, TX 77373.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1400 Nolan Trace , Leesville, Louisiana on Monday, October 15, with Dr. Matt Endris officiating. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. and funeral services are at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Old Anacoco Baptist Church Cemetery. Klein Funeral Home of Spring, Texas, is handling the arrangements.

Published in The Town Talk on Oct. 14, 2018