In Memoriam

Richard H. Benson, 83, of Naples, Florida died on September 1, 2021. Dick majored in music his first two years, under the guidance of his advisor William D. Revelli, and graduated in business administration with a B.B.A. in 1960 and an M.B.A. in 1961. At the University, he was a proud member of the Michigan Marching Band and Symphony Band and joined Theta Delta Chi social fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi accounting honorary, and Kappa Kappa Psi music honorary. He remained a dedicated Michigan fan throughout his life. His passion for music persisted, and throughout his career, he performed in various community ensembles, including the Grosse Point Symphony, the Lake Forest Symphony, the Perrysburg Symphony, the Naples Community Orchestra (formerly Naples Orchestra and Chorus), and the Gulf Coast Symphony. An annual highlight was returning at Homecoming to march with the University of Michigan Alumni Band. Dick encouraged a love of music and creativity with his grandsons and was immensely proud to follow not only their academic successes, but also their musical and artistic pursuits. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Marching Band. Click here for his obituary.

John Allen Bielawski, 62, of Knoxville, Iowa, died on July 6, 2019. John was a 1974 graduate of Fraser High School (FHS). He was a member of the FHS marching and symphony band. John attended the University of Michigan (UofM) in the fall of 1974. He received his Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE) degree in December of 1978. While at Michigan, John was a member of the marching band and after graduation, was a participant of the Alumni Band for 35 years. In January of 1979, John moved to California to start his career at Fairchild Semiconductor as a Biopolar RAM IC Design Engineer. He also worked at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) as Senior Design Engineer and at National Semiconductor as Staff Engineer, Circuit Design. Additionally, he worked at Analog IC Design as a consultant since 2017. John received many awards in the semiconductor industry and was published. Donations can be made in his memory to the Michigan Marching Band. Click here for his obituary.

David J. Johnson, 59, of Chicago, Il., Founder, President and CEO of Wizards Software Solutions, Chicago and former partner of Eastlake Studios, Inc, Chicago, passed away on December 31, 2017, surrounded in love by his family, after a valiant fight against Pancreatic Cancer. David was a member of the Marching Band, Fanfare Band, and Hockey Band, graduating from the University of Michigan School of Architecture, Class of 1980. He went on to the University of Illinois for his Master of Architecture and MBA. Donations can be made in his memory to the Michigan Marching Band or UMBAA. Click here for his obituary.

Diane Craven Joslin, 61, of Pinckney, Michigan, died on October 28, 2017. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in music at the University Michigan in 1978, and attained a Master’s degree in music from Eastern Michigan University. She was a proud member and alumna of the Michigan Marching Band. She taught music at all levels for 35 years, retiring from Pinckney Community Schools. Click here for her obituary.

John W. Stout, 60, died April 3, 2017 at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Band alumnus, arranger, composer, lifelong supporter, and dear friend, John Stout, passed peacefully at his home after a long battle with cancer. John was recently named a recipient of UMBAA's "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his incredible contributions not only to the Michigan Bands, but the world of bands and music in general. Please read the MMB's touching tribute linked below. John's work and presence helped to shape the identity and sound of the Michigan Bands for more than 4 decades, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come. Click here for his obituary.

Glynn Barnett, 87, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died on August 16, 2016.  He received a BA in Music, and a Law Degree from The University of Michigan Law School in 1957. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of the Michigan Marching Band; and, as a Freshman took the train across the country to participate in the 1948 Rose Bowl (a Michigan victory).  He loved Michigan Football attending nearly every game for more than sixty-years.  Click here for his obituary.

Richard Kruse, 74, of Romulus, Michigan, died on August 5, 2016.  Richard (a.k.a. Dick, Mr. Kruse, and Kruser) has brought the love of music into people’s lives for over 50 years. Originally from Schenectady, NY, Richard attended the University of Michigan School of Music. He toured Europe with U of M Symphony band in 1962, where he played many beautiful solos as the 1st chair clarinet. He was inducted into their Music Hall of Fame in 2011, and got to play in the Big House with some of his fellow former band mates. Click here for his obituary.

Dr. Roger Grekin, 71, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died on September 29, 2015.  Roger earned both his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Michigan and was in the Michigan Marching Band in 1962.  One of the University of Michigan Medical School’s most devoted educators, Roger served as director of the curriculum for first and second year medical students.  He received many awards for his teaching, including the Kaiser Permanente Award for Excellence in Pre-clinical Teaching in 2006 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Education in 2008. Click here for his obituary. 

Doug MacLeod, 94, of Dearborn, Michigan, died on October 25, 2015. Doug was one of the founders and the first secretary of UMBAA. His first year in the Michigan band was 1938 and he became a member of Nu Chapter, KKY in 1940. Doug started collecting marches when he was at Michigan and he amassed a collection that he loaned out all over the world. One of the most unique things he had was a Sousa piece entitled "Leaves From My Notebook." It was in manuscript form and it was never published. There are a few other copies floating around the US. Click here for his obituary.

Gary Cochran, 77, of Ann Arbor, died on October 17, 2015. Gary earned a PhD in Physics from the University of Michigan in 1967 and played trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band. After retiring from his career in science, he renewed his long love of music and began playing the trumpet again, ultimately participating in more than 4 different bands in both Michigan and Florida. Click here for his obituary.

Walter S. Metzger, 88, of Ann Arbor, died on October 17, 2014. Walter loved classical and band music and was honored to play trombone in the University of Michigan Marching Band in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. After discharge from the Navy, Walter joined his parents in the family restaurant. Click here for his obituary.

Linda Annette Olsen, 52, of Ann Arbor, died on September 22, 2014. Linda played piccolo in the Michigam Marching Band. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from U of M and worked as a physical therapist for 11 years before dedicating her life to raising her four children and being closely involved in their many activities. Click here for her obituary.

Burton Verne Barnes, 83, of Ann Arbor, died on July 3, 2014. Burt played trombone in the Michigan Marching Band and in the Symphony Band. Burt graduated with a B.S.F in Forestry in 1952 and his MF in Forest Ecology/Silviculture in 1953. Burt taught at the UM School of Natural Resources for 42 years. Click here for his obituary.

Allen M. Abrams, 81, of Chicago, died on October 27, 2013. Al graduated from the University of Michigan, earning both a B.S., magna cum laude, in Accounting, and an M.B.A., summa cum laude. He was a proud member of the University of Michigan’s Marching Band. As he often did, Al attended homecoming in 2013 to march into the Big House with the alumni band. Click here for the obituary.

Jere Hall Brophy, 79, of Moreland Hills, Ohio, passed away August 23, 2013 in the Adirondacks in New York at the family cabin on the shores of Sacandaga Lake. In the fall of 1955, Jere Brophy came to the University of Michigan as a chemical and metallurgy engineering student and was determined to play clarinet in the Michigan Marching Band. During the first two weeks of intense rehearsing, he lost 20 pounds and learned to march using the quick tempo, vigorous high step. Because the football team was very successful, everyone envisioned a trip to the Rose Bowl. But each year the possibility of that trip came down to the Ohio State game, and every year of his under graduate career, the trip never happened. So, in spite of now working on his master’s degree, but because “surely this would be the year”, he again joined the band for the fifth year. Alas, it wasn’t to be! But the friendships he made in those years and the musical enrichment gained remained with him as he continued to make music throughout his life, both playing and singing. His time in the band was the highlight of his Michigan experience. He also played bass clarinet in the Symphony band and met his wife who sat behind him and “blew her saxophone in his ear.” Click here to see his obituary notice.

Richard W. "Rich" Baier, age 60, of Delton, Michigan, died Wednesday morning, June 26, 2013. His first year in the Michigan Marching Band was 1972 and he was a 1974 graduate of The University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. Click here for his obituary.

Michael L. McLaren, age 65, died Thursday, February 14, 2013. He played clarinet in the Michigan Marching Band, Hockey band, Men's Basketball Band, Varsity and Concert bands, starting in 1966. He was a math teacher at Grand Blanc High School.

Ralph McIntyre of Wayne, Michigan, died on February 2, 2013 at the age of 68. His first year in a Michigan band was 1962. He played Horn in the Michigan Marching Band, Hockey Band, Men's Basketball Band and Symphony Band and was a member of 1965 Rose Bowl Band. He played French Horn professionally for the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, the Livonia Symphony, the Dearborn Symphony, and countless other groups. Click here for his obituary.

Randolph Blouse, of Westland, Michigan, was born in December 1953 and died on February 1, 2013. His first year in a Michigan band was 1972. He played trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band and Symphony Band. His obituary can be found here.

Jimmie Howard Reynolds died on January 19th, 2013 in Shreveport, Louisiana at the age of 87. He played bassoon in the Symphony Band in 1948 and was a graduate assistant with the 1971 European Tour Symphony Band. He was a band director for many years. His obituary can be found here.

William Fred Tepper, Jr, 80, of Palm Bay, died Saturday, December 1, 2012. He played Euphonuin and his first year in a Michigan Band was 1955. Prior to his retirement, he was a music teacher with the Greater Latrobe Area School District. His obituary can be found by searching for his name here.

Carl Edward Dephouse, 72, of North Charleston, died on Thursday, November 8, 2012. He received his bachelors degree of music from the University of Michigan and played Tuba in the Michigan Marching Band starting in 1958. He retired from the Holland Public School System as a Band Director. His obituary can be found here.

William "Bill" Curtin, musician, educator, and long-time Barberton resident, passed away in September 2012 in Virginia after a short illness; he was 73. He played percussion in the Symphony Band starting in 1956 and was part of the Symphony Band that toured Russia. His obituary can be found here.

Conrad (“Con”) Krankel, from Plymouth, Michigan, was born in 1932. His first year in the MMB was 1950. After getting his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Michigan, he was a financial analyst for Ford for 37 years. He died August 28, 2012. His obituary can be found here.

William C. Parkinson, age 94, passed away on March 19, 2012. He was a resident of Ann Arbor for 80 years. He played Horn in the MMB and Concert Band starting in 1935. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S.E. degree in 1940, an M.S. in 1941 and a PhD in 1958. He was a member of the Physics department at the University for 40 years. Click here for his obituary.

Raffee D Johns, age 81, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, died 0n March 24, 2012. His first year in the Michigan Marching Band was 1947, where he played the snare drum. Click here for his obituary.

Sherman "Sherm" H. Robinson, age 67, of Norton Shores, passed away on February 2, 2012 in Traverse City, Michigan. He played Tuba in the MMB, Hockey Band, Varsity Band and Symphony Band starting in 1963 and graduated from U of M with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He worked at CMI in Cadillac, Michigan before moving to Muskegon where he worked at CWC Textron as a project engineer until he retired. His obituary can be found here.

Tom Gaskill was born February 12, 1940. February 12th was also Dr. Revelli's birthday and they always spoke to each on that day. Tom was in the MMB and Symphony Band in 1959, 1960 and 1961. After graduating from EMU he became a travel agent for Cartan Travel Agency and took groups of people on the train out west to the Seattle area. Later he became a hotel manager for Hyatt Hotels and was the manager in Atlanta, Chicago, Monterey California, San Diego and New Orleans. Tom died in January 2012 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where his wife Sharon still lives.

Florence Cavender died peacefully on December 22, 2011. For 50 years she was the devoted wife of Professor George R. Cavender, who preceded her in death in 2004.

C. Duane Corbett, 87, of Kentwood, Michigan, formerly of Weirton, West Virginia passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2011. He received his music degree from West Liberty State College and a graduate degree from the University of Michigan. He played in the Michigan Marching Band, Concert Band and Symphony Band. His first year in the band was 1949. From 1956-1980, Mr. Corbett served as Band and Orchestra Director for Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan.

Dr. Wallace Wheeler, 93, passed away on June 8, 2011 at his home in Indio, California. Dr. Wheeler’s first year in a Michigan Band was 1935, Revelli’s first year. While at Michigan Dr. Wheeler was the lead drummer for the U of M Marching and Symphony bands. Wally graduated from UM with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1939. He was an officer in the Navy during World War II. After the war he attended and received his MD degree from Case Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio in 1950. He practiced medicine in several states before moving to Indio, California in 1953, where he practiced for 52 years. Click here for his obituary.

Donald M. Parrish, 73, died July 12, 2011. Donald was a proud member of the Michigan Marching Band and graduated from the University of Michigan with Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Music. Don taught junior high band in Walled Lake, band and orchestra in Ann Arbor at the elementary, junior and senior high level and developed a vibrant string program at the Dexter Community Schools. Click here for his obituary.

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