Distinguished Person of Honor

(July 17, 1921 — Jan. 28, 2004)

Ed’s studies at Washburn College (now Washburn University) were interrupted when he was called for duty in World War II. He returned to graduate and later earned his master’s degree from the University of Kansas. He became the district’s band director in 1953 and traveled to all of the district’s schools, sharing his musical talents with students of all ages. He introduced jazz into the band program and retired in 1983 as director of the district’s instrumental music program. In retirement, he reinstated the Olathe Civic Band which had been idle since the 1920s. He directed the band from 1983 to 1995. He was a member of the Olathe Noon Rotary Club (where he received two Paul Harris Awards), a Master Mason of Olathe Masonic Lodge No.19, and member of the National Education Association and National Music Educators Association. Ed performed for 22 years as a member of the Starlight Theater Orchestra and also performed with widely-known musicians such as Buddy Rogers, Doc Severinsen and Bob Foster.