W. Frank Evans was born Oct. 9, 1933, into a newspaper publishing family that devoted their lives to helping small Oklahoma towns grow and prosper. His parents, Lloyd William and Sara Allen Evans, taught their five children the value of loyalty to their community. Frank was and example of that loyalty, improving the communities in which he lived. A graduate of Fairfax High School and Oklahoma State University, his music education degree prepared him to serve as a public school band director in Perkins, Garber and Fairfax from the mid-1950’s to the early-1960’s. During that time he served in the 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard and was a member of the guard’s field band. As a college student he played in the OSU marching and symphonic bands and in the original Stillwater Community Band, organized and directed by the late Hiram Henry. Settling in Stillwater in 1963 he owned and operated Evans Music Co. before becoming the first facilities manager of the OSU Seretean Center. In the mid-1970’s he was Assistant Physical Plant Manager for Principia College, Elsah, Illinois, and returned to Stillwater in the late 1970’s as Executive Secretary for Kappa Kappa Psi/ Tau Beta Sigma, national music fraternities headquartered on the OSU campus. He retired in 1995 as coordinator of extension conferences for OSU’s Division of Agriculture. A community volunteer and civic supporter, he served on the boards of Stillwater Arts and Humanities Council, Sheerar Museum Association, Stillwater Parks and Recreation, and was instrumental in helping to convert the former Stillwater High School building into the Stillwater Community Center. One of his passions was to help save historical buildings and landmarks for present-day use. He supported the Stillwater Community Band, Stillwater Community Singers, Stillwater Multi-Arts and OSU’s Friends of Music. A member of the Sooner State chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, he loved pipe organ music. He was a long-standing member of the Stillwater Christian Science Church where he served as First Reader, chairman of the Executive Board, and as a Sunday school teacher. He was a Life member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the OSU Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Vonda Bivert Evans and daughter, Julie Evans of Tulsa and a brother, William Evans and his wife, Madge of Tucson, Ariz. He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Martha Pat Evans Brown and Nancy Evans Brumfield; and a brother, Robert L. Evans. The family suggests memorials to the Stillwater Community Band, c/o Wayne Bovenschen, PO Box 104, Stillwater, OK 74076 or to the Stillwater Community Singers, c/o Judy Brown, 316 S. Doty, Stillwater, OK 74074. A private family memorial service will be held to honor his life that closed on March 1, 2012.
Charles Millard Reinken (Alpha Omicron) 1946-2011
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.
George N. Parks (Epsilon Nu) 1953-2010
George Nathan Parks, 57, of Amherst, Massachusetts, passed away on September 16 at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, following a UMass Marching Band performance.
For 33 years, he served was the Marching Band Director at University of Massachusetts. Besides serving as director of the band known as The Power and Class of New England, Parks was professor of music at UMass. He received the university’s Distinguished Teacher Award and the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service. He was named an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Massachusetts.
Born May 23, 1953, in Buffalo, NY, George grew up in Newark, Delaware, graduating from Christiana High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from West Chester University, PA, and a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. George began teaching at UMass in 1977, and began the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy the following summer. In 1979, Thom Hannum joined George for a legendary band partnership that lasted 31 years.
A tireless fund-raiser, Parks was the driving force behind the $5.7 million Minuteman Marching Band Building, currently under construction. The new building is named in his honor.
George’s work in music and leadership has inspired thousands of high school and college students to find the best in themselves. Some of his recent students were the children of his first students at the University.
George was a devoted husband and father, who enjoyed watching his son Michael’s hockey games and daughter Kathryn’s equestrian pursuits. George often came to Springfield Central High School to support wife Jeanne and her choral students. Among his favorite things were family trips to Disney World (where he would often run into DMA students), golfing, playing volleyball with the Band staff, watching movies, and choosing music for his favorite meal, spaghetti with meat sauce. He loved to have a houseful of people playing Axis and Allies. George was a communicant of the First Baptist Church of Amherst, where he often played tuba and sang in the choir.
George is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jeanne (nee Clayton), daughter, Kathryn, son, Michael, his mother, Vesta Parks and brother Patrick, of Newark, DE, sisters and brothers-in-law Barbara and Ed Firchak of Ocean City, MD, Pamela and Dan Kopec of Louisiana, brother and sister-in-law Jon and Lorie Parks of Delaware, and his in-laws, Harvey and Barbara Clayton of Jensen Beach, FL, and brother-in-law Robert Clayton of Celebration, FL. He will be greatly missed by his many nieces, nephews, close friends, 390 present “bandos,” and thousands of UMass band and DMA alum. George was pre-deceased by his father, Norman Parks.
William P. Foster (Delta Iota) 1919-2010
William P. Foster, who revolutionized the once-staid world of collegiate marching bands as the founder and longtime director of the high-stepping, crowd-wowing Marching 100 band of Florida A&M University, died Saturday [Aug 29, 2010] in Tallahassee, Fla. He was 91.
Robert E. Klein/Associated Press
Florida A&Ms Marching 100 at the 2005 Super Bowl. The group has more than 400 members and a worldwide following.
His death was announced by the university.
When Dr. Foster arrived at the historically black Florida A&M campus in Tallahassee in 1946, football halftime shows around the nation generally offered a rendition of the home teams fight song and a smattering of John Philip Sousa marches.
Dr. Foster introduced shows that infused black popular culture into his routines, blending contemporary music, often jazz or rock, with imaginative choreography, his green-and-orange uniformed band members carrying their instruments at a 45-degree angle, legs bent to the same angle.
College and high school marching bands around the nation drew on the Florida A&M style.
Its gotten to the point where I cant remember the last time I saw a halftime show that featured traditional marches, Fred Tillis, emeritus director of the University of Massachusetts fine arts department, told The Florida Times-Union in 1998.
Dr. Foster said there was a psychology to running a band.
People want to hear the songs they hear on the radio; it gives them an immediate relationship with you, he told The New York Times in July 1989, when the Marching 100 headed to Paris, having been selected by the French government to represent the United States with renditions of James Brown at the parade marking the French Revolutions bicentennial. And then theres the energy. Lots of energy in playing and marching. Dazzle them with it. Energy.
Sometimes his band moved at a step every three seconds or so, what he called the death cadence or death march, then zoomed to six steps a second.
It didnt exactly march.
It slides, slithers, swivels, rotates, shakes, rocks and rolls, as Dr. Foster once put it. It leaps to the sky, does triple twists, and drops to earth without a flaw, without missing either a beat or a step. It often became an animation show, simulating palm trees with branches swaying or an eagle flapping its wings.
Dr. Foster became known on campus as the Law, for what could be an intimidating presence, but he began with only 16 bandsmen in 1946. He soon called his musicians the Marching 100 because he envisioned reaching that number at some point.
The Marching 100 has grown to 400 or so musicians, drum majors and flag-bearers. It has played at the Super Bowl, presidential inaugurations and the Grammy Awards and in nationally televised commercials.
William Patrick Foster was born in Kansas City, Kan., on Aug. 25, 1919. He played the clarinet as a youngster and studied music at the University of Kansas. He hoped to become a conductor, but, as he recalled, a dean told him no musical companies would hire a black for that role.
That was when I decided that I would develop a black band that was equal to, or finer than, any white band in the country, he told The Atlanta Journal and Constitution in 1998.
He got students and parents to round up used instruments at his first job, music director for the ill-funded and segregated Lincoln High School in Springfield, Mo., then moved to the historically black Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he built a band.
His Florida A&M band first gained recognition on a limited scale by playing numbers like Alexanders Ragtime Band in the Orange Blossom Classic, when the Rattlers would face another historically black school at Miamis Orange Bowl. By the 1960s, as segregation began to bend, the band played at the Orange Bowl game itself and ultimately emerged as a scintillating presence with a wide audience.
Dr. Foster received a bachelors degree from Kansas in 1941 and a masters degree from Wayne State in 1950, both with a concentration in music, and a doctor of education degree from Teachers College at Columbia University in 1955.
He was the author of the memoir The Man Behind the Baton and Band Pageantry: A Guide for the Marching Band.
He retired as the Florida A&M band director in 1998.
He is survived by his sons Anthony and William Jr. and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife, Mary Ann, died in 2007.
When Dr. Foster arrived at Florida A&M, he looked to innovative performances as a way of building its music department. His protégés included the renowned jazz musicians Cannonball Adderley, on the saxophone, and his brother, Nat, on the trumpet and cornet.
Everything he did was new, Nat Adderley once told The St. Petersburg Times. No one had ever seen anything like it.
Daniel J. Fissell (Omicron) 1974-2010
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. Roy Robert Hornyak, Sr (Alpha Zeta) 2009
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 (Beta Gamma) 1928-2009
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
Dr. Robert B. Kamm (Alpha) 1919-2008
Dr. Robert B. Kamm, the 13th president of Oklahoma State University who led the university during a period that encompassed both growth and turbulent times on campuses across the nation, died Friday, October 10, 2008 in Okmulgee. He was 89.
He served as OSU president from 1966 to 1977 and is remembered for having served in higher education as a teacher, counselor and administrator at OSU for more than 45 years. The president and first lady, his wife Maxine, were loved by students, staff and faculty.
“The Oklahoma State University community is saddened to learn of the passing of one of our university’s most beloved presidents,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Dr. Kamm made a lasting difference in the lives of students, and had a real impact on the Stillwater community, our state and our world. He became President during my undergraduate days at OSU and truly inspired me to seek opportunities in public service. Dr. Kamm will be remembered for his warmness, his friendliness and his philosophy of putting people first.”
Kamm was born on Jan. 22, 1919, at West Union, Iowa. He received his B.A. degree in English and theater arts in 1940 from the University of Northern Iowa, and completed his master’s degree in 1946 and his Ph.D. in 1948, both in counseling psychology and higher education from the University of Minnesota. He began his career as a high school teacher in 1940 in his native state of Iowa.
It was during his service in the Navy in World War II that he was first on the campus of Oklahoma A&M College, spending three months as part of a year-long radar study. After the war and his completion of his higher degrees, he was named Dean of Students at Drake University in Iowa, and also served as both Student Personnel Dean and Freshman Dean at Texas A&M University.
He came to Oklahoma State University as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1958, and was promoted to vice president for academic affairs in 1965. He served as OSU’s president from July 1, 1966, to Jan. 31, 1977. It was under his leadership that OSU became known as a national leader in telecommunications and international outreach. During his tenure, he emphasized academic excellence and underscored the centrality of students, faculty and staff in the learning experience.
Kamm resigned as OSU’s president in 1977 to run for the U.S. Senate, losing to incumbent U.S. Sen. David Boren.
On Feb. 1, 1977, he was named university president professor and past president, and became a member of the faculty of the Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education in the College of Education. On Jan. 1, 1988, he was named President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus.
When OSU began preparations for its 1990 Centennial Celebration, Kamm was named the director of the Centennial Histories Project, which produced 26 books. He authored 72 journal articles and five books. His final book, “The Best of Mind and Spirit,” was published in 2002.
His international achievements were recognized in 1976 when he was appointed, with the rank of ambassador, as a member of the executive board of the United States Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. He was chair of the U.S. delegation to the 19th general conference of UNESCO in Nairobi, Kenya, and also chair of the U.S. Commission for Observance of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations.
Kamm served as president of the American College Personnel Association from 1957-58, and was chairman of the Council of Presidents of the national Association of State Universities and Land-Grant colleges from 1974-75.
He also served as chairman of the board of Oklahoma City-based World Neighbors Incorporated and as a member of the U.S. Commission on the Reform of State Government.
In 1988, he was presented with OSU’s highest award, the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award for outstanding citizenship and leadership, at the university’s 93rd commencement ceremony.
He also was awarded a doctor of Humanities from Oklahoma Christian College in 1976, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Oklahoma City University in 1992. He received the Medal of Honor from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1996, and the Cornerstone Award for Administration from the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association in 1999.
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1972; the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 1987; the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 1994; the Stillwater Hall of Fame in 1995; and the College of Education Hall of Fame in 2000.
The first Robert B. Kamm Distinguished Lecture in Higher Education was held in 1992. The lecture, which is supported by the Robert B. Kamm Lecture Fund of the Oklahoma State University Foundation, brings private and public sector leaders together to discuss issues that will shape the future of education, particularly higher education, in Oklahoma.
He has been included in “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in the World,” “Who’s Who in American Education,” and “American Men of Science.” In 1966 he was named a lifetime member of the Board of Directors for the State Fair of Oklahoma; was named a Distinguished Member of Phi Kappa Phi national honor society in 1976; and was named “Oklahoman of the Year” in 1976 by the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association.
In 2002, he was honored by being selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer in Stillwater, where he started his run on campus. He was an honorary life member of the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
He served as president of the Stillwater Medical Center Foundation from 1990-91; president of the Stillwater Family YMCA from 1982-84; and president of the Arkansas-Oklahoma YMCA Cluster of the YMCA from 1984-86; President of the Will Rogers Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 1977-79, and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1980. He served as president of the Stillwater Rotary Club from 1962-63; was named Stillwater’s first Paul Harris Fellow in 1977, and received, along with his wife, Maxine, Stillwater Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” Award in 1977.
He was active in the United Methodist Church, including service as lay leader and as church school teacher and superintendent. He also served as president of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation from 1988-93.
He truly loved people; he loved the students; and he had a great love for Stillwater and, of course, OSU.
He was devoted to his wife and family. During his beloved wife Maxine’s illness, he chose to move out of their home and live with her in Grace Living Center for the last 14 months of her life. He was predeceased by his parents; wife; two brothers, Harold Kamm and Balz Kamm; one sister, Ednah Mae Goines; and one great-granddaughter Nevaeh Kamm. He is survived by one daughter, Susan White and her husband, Phil, of Longmont, Colo.; one son, Steve Kamm and his wife, Peggy, of Okmulgee; four grandchildren, Jeff White and his wife, Sarah, of Longmont, Derek Kamm and his wife, Rebekah, of Mounds, Clay Kamm and Adrienne Hickman of Glenpool, Jessica Mackey and her husband, Jace, of Morris; three great grandchildren, Makayla Rain Kamm, Jacey Mackey and Aiden Robert Kamm; and one sister, Barbara Temple of West Union, Iowa.
The family has requested that memorial donations be made in his name to OSU Foundation, 400 S. Monroe St., Stillwater, OK 74074, First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074, Stillwater YMCA, 204 S. Duck St., Stillwater, OK 74074, and Stillwater Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 2408, Stillwater, OK 74076. There are also scholarships in the Kamms’ names at both OSU and Stillwater Medical Center which could be designated if the donor wishes.
Hiram Henderson Henry (Alpha) 1918-2008
Hiram Henderson Henry, 90, of Stillwater died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in Stillwater. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. B. Gordon Edwards officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Family will greet friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born on July 24, 1918, in Raiford to Chester White Henry and Myra Anna (Morris) Henry, the fourth of six children. The family moved to Claremore in 1925. There he graduated from high school in 1936. He attended Oklahoma A&M College and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Instrumental Music in 1940. While at college he was a member of the band, orchestra, pep band and Student Entertainers. In 1940 he became band and orchestra director at Pauls Valley public schools. It was there he met his future wife, Wanda June Suggs, and they were married Nov. 27, 1941, in Pauls Valley.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II in April 1942 and was assigned to the Seabee Band was stationed in Norfolk, Va., and later in Williamsburg,Va. After two and a half years with the Seabee Band he was assigned to the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. as an instructor. He served there a year and was discharged from the Navy in October 1945. He entered the University of Southern California in November 1945 and received a Master of Music degree in July 1946.
He was invited to the join the staff of the Music Department at Oklahoma A&M College in 1946 as assistant director of bands, director of a newly formed all-girls band, and instructor of low brass and percussion. He advanced in rank from his initial appointment as instructor to full professor in 1967.
He was Director of Marching Bands until 1957 when he was appointed Director of Bands. He directed marching and concert bands until 1966 when an additional assistant director was hired for marching and pep bands. The Concert Band performed concerts on campus each year and took an annual concert tour throughout the state to various high schools and communities. They also performed at state music conferences and on area TV stations. One of the most popular activities of the band program was the summer concert series at Theta Pond. He was the conductor for 33 years. These summer band concerts inspired the establishment of the Stillwater Community Band that continues to flourish. He retired from Oklahoma State University in 1981 after 35 years. He remained active with student organizations including the OSU Alumni Band, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, as well as attending many Music Department concerts and events.
His primary area of interest was in the preparation of students to be instrumental music teachers. He maintained close contact with former students who taught in public schools and universities across the nation. They shared their reports of successes, happy occasions and families. He was also an advisor for student organizations such as Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma and the Music Educators National Conference.
He was a guest conductor at numerous summer band camps throughout the nation each year as well as guest conductor for several clinics and concerts. He was a member of several state and national professional music organizations, serving in leadership positions in each.
In addition to his teaching duties, he was chairman of the Oklahoma Band Clinic for many years, chairman of instrumental music contests, summer band camps, summer music reading clinics, and was chairman of the State Music Contest Committee for many years. He was elected to the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1972 as a result of the numerous activities and years of service to music education in the state.
He was recognized by many professional organizations for his work. In 1977, the national band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, awarded him its highest honor, the “Distinguished Service to Music” award. In the same year he was recognized as “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by the College of Arts and Sciences. He was elected to the Oklahoma Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mr. Henry served an integral role on the Steering Committee for the 100 year celebration of bands at OSU, commemorated in fall 2005. In the fall 2006, the OSU Alumni Band Association, in conjunction with Alumni Band Day, presented “A Tribute to Mr. Hiram Henry” through a series of events, noting his significant contributions throughout the years.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and two terms as a Deacon and Elder. He joined the Golden K Kiwanis Club and became active in community projects early in his retirement serving as song leader, program chairman and president. His community service as a volunteer included meal deliveries for Elderly Nutrition, Stillwater Medical Center and transportation for friends, community dinners and events for children. He was recognized for this by Kiwanis with their “Kiwanis Tablet of Honor Award” for community service in 2000 and their “Lay Person of the Year Award” in 2004 for District 16. He also received the Rotary “Stillwater Citizen of the Year Award” in 2003. The Sunshine Seniors honored him as their “Volunteer of the Year” in 2000. The nayor of Stillwater issued a Proclamation in 2000 recognizing the many years of numerous and varied volunteer activities.
Mr. Henry was known for providing consistent and loving daily assistance to his wife, Wanda, the nine years she was a resident at Westhaven Nursing Center. During that time, he chaired the Family Advocacy initiative. He was a dedicated father to Jan and Bob, and to their children and grandchildren, as an exemplary role model for living a full, selfless and giving lifestyle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Wanda in June 2008; one brother, Britton Henry; and four sisters, Leona Tanner, Bonnie Helm, Velva Stewart and Kiamichie Brown.
He is survived by a daughter, Janice Brucker and her husband Bill of Columbia, Ill.; one son, Robert Henry and his wife Anna of Lubbock, Texas; five grandchildren, Katrina Kirby of Los Angeles; Chris Brucker of Millbrae, Calif.; Jeremy Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; Matthew Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; and Scott Henry of Dallas; four great grandchildren, Ashley Kirby of Columbia, Ill.; Caroline Molinier of Los Angeles; Jack Molinier, Jr., of Los Angeles; and Landon Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; and many nephews and nieces.
Memorials may be sent to the OSU Music Department, 132 Seretean Center, Stillwater, OK 74078; Stillwater Medical Center, 1323 West 6th Street, Stillwater, OK 74074; Judith Karman Hospice, 915 South Main Street, Stillwater, OK 7407; and Elderly Nutrition, 312 West 9th Avenue, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Dirk Alan Van Brussel (Eta Omicron) 1958-2007
Dirk Alan Dirk Alan Van Brussel, age 49, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 20, 2007, in Chicago. He was born to Rev. James and Dorothy Van Brussel in Toledo and graduated from James Madison University with degrees in music education and trumpet performance. Dirk completed the course work for a masters degree at Miami University, where he was assistant director of the marching and concert bands and director of the 6:30 Jazz Ensemble. He was an active teacher, clinician and guest performer, both as a conductor and trumpet performer, in Northwest Ohio and served as director of bands at Elmwood Local Schools, Findlay City Schools and St. John’s Jesuit High School, Toledo. Dirk had a deep love of music and performing. He served several years as director and lead trumpet of the Findlay Civic Jazz and played in many local ensembles ranging from classical to contemporary, including the polka band, Bavarian Brass. In 2001, Dirk embarked on a second career in the Chicago theater community that made use of his skills in carpentry and design. Most notably, he served as assistant technical director with Northlight Theater and production manager for Remy Bumppo Theater, the Northwestern University Opera Department (where he also did many scenic designs) and most recently with Pegasus Players Theater. During his 20 year involvement in community, educational and professional theater, he music directed, conducted or played in the pits of more than 100 productions in Ohio and Chicago, winning the 2004 Chicago After Dark Award for Excellence in Music Direction. Diagnosed with ALS in 2006, Dirk had the support and love of many in the Chicago theater community and was able to continue working, learning to blacksmith and even restoring an old home on the south side of Chicago until his death by a ruptured aneurism at the age of 49. Dirk is survived by his loving wife, Jill Van Brussel of Chicago, IL; parents, Rev. James and Dorothy Van Brussel of Toledo, OH; as well as many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Valerie Van Brussel of Bellevue, OH. The family will receive guests Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8:00 p.m. in the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). Funeral Services will begin Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 4441 Monroe St., with viewing one hour prior. Officiating will be Pastor Marc Miller, assistant to the Bishop of Northwest Ohio, ELCA and Pastor Merlin Jacobs, Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran. Interment will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made to Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy Ave., Suite 302, Skokie, IL 60077-3254 or the Pegasus Players Theater, O’Rourke Center Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60640. Expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.NewcomerFamily.com
Published in Toledo Blade from Sept. 25 to Sept. 26, 2007