Roger Rush

Roger Rush Roger Rush died peacefully in his home in Eugene, Oregon on August 11, 2016, after a valiant struggle with multiple cancers. He had just celebrated his 81st birthday in July. Roger Bill Rush was born in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, on July 11, 1935, to Agnes MacLachlan Rush and Ernest Blakely Rush. His two brothers, Ernest Blakely Rush Jr. and Bobby M. Rush, were 10 and 12 years older respectively. Ernest, “Doogie”, was a prisoner of war in World War II. During that time, Bobby was stationed in France. Their absence would greatly impact Roger’s early years as Ernest and Agnes’ one remaining son. From his earliest memories, Roger knew his calling was to be a musician and teacher. He was even leading his own rhythm band at the age of six. He would eventually replace his childhood rhythm instruments with drums and a drum set. In the ninth grade, he began playing with professional groups in the southern Oklahoma area. Roger was drum major of his high school band and would substitute for the band director when he was away. Roger had a keen interesting in the music of Stan Kenton and the Dave Brubeck Band and shared it with eager audiences in Tishomingo and surrounding areas. His interest turned to brass instruments while continuing to play gigs in dance bands. He taught himself how to play the euphonium and earned a chair in the Oklahoma All-State Band throughout his high school years. After his first two years at East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma (now East Central University), he transitioned from euphonium to trombone. Years later, while still continuing to freelance as a percussionist and low-brass performer, he settled on the French Horn as his favorite performance instrument. Roger married Jo Elizabeth Norton in 1957, at the beginning of his senior year in college. It was during this time he also began his first full-time teaching job as band director in Allen, Oklahoma. In just three short years he brought the band up to superior ratings in state contests. It was during his time as band director at Allen High School that the couple’s first child, Teri, was born in Ada. Roger taught elementary through high school music and directed the bands in the Atoka School District. Their second child, Michael, was born in Atoka. It was here that Roger came to be known in Oklahoma for his ability to “work magic” with high school bands. Four years later, he was invited to North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, where he was awarded the position of teaching assistant for low brass instruments. It was here he also earned his Master of Music in Music Education. Roger's first college teaching job was in 1965 at the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, New Mexico, where he quickly earned the rank of Major, followed by Lieutenant Colonel. It was during these years in Roswell that the family welcomed their third child, David. Roger’s musical genius was evidenced in the creation and expansion of the music program at NMMI to include the first cadet drum and bugle corps, and inventive, new marching band maneuvers. He also directed the Cadet Choir. He had a keen, gifted memory for Music History and taught Music History classes at NMMI. He was active as a vocalist and soloist in the First United Methodist Church choir. While at NMMI, Roger developed a love for flying and began teaching ground school classes in exchange for air hours. Later, while teaching at McMurry College (now University) in Abilene, Texas, and later at McLennan Community College, Roger flew to some college recruiting interviews with high school students. His continuing education included classes at the University of Colorado, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Texas, and the Peabody Music Conservatory. He conducted numerous church choirs, adjudicated music contests all over the Midwestern United States, designed marches, conducted and performed in countless musicals, wrote hundreds of band, brass, and choral arrangements, taught thousands of private lessons, established community bands, and played in city symphonies in Roswell, New Mexico and Waco, El Paso and Dallas, Texas, while he and Jo continued to raise their three children. He used flying to relax, as well as playing golf, sailing his catamaran, and riding his motorcycle. These topics were always instant conversation starters for him. Roger took an early retirement from McLennan Community College following a particularly hot Texas summer in 1991 and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his retirement he continued to golf and did a lot of snow skiing. He also started a new band and choir program at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs, and founded the community wind ensemble known as The Little London Winds. In 2001, Roger moved to Eugene, Oregon, to join a friend from high school, Linda Umphers Sherman, and spent his last 15 years as her companion. He was able to partake of the scenic beauty of the Northwest by "jockeying" huge RVs back and forth throughout the area (he even drove one once from Florida to Oregon), and he made many friends along the way. One of his prized awards was a t-shirt from Prince Puckler Ice Cream Shop, bestowed on him as a constant partaker. Roger played French Horn in the Eugene Symphonic Band, where he eventually served as director. Then, as an expression of his love and deep appreciation of British brass band music, he founded the Oregon Brass Society in 2003. Upon his retirement from the Oregon Brass Society, the band graciously gifted him with a trip to England to see and hear several famous brass band competitions. He was also honored at anniversary celebrations for the bands he founded in Waco and Roswell. The mayor of Waco declared May the 3rd as Roger Rush Day during the 30th anniversary concert of the Waco Community Band in 2011. Roger was honored to be invited to attend the 2014 NMMI Homecoming and proudly conducted the marching band on the football field. During his courageous and difficult struggles with cancer, hundreds of well-loved former students and friends contacted him to express their affection and gratitude not only for his musical influence in their lives, but also the influence of his deeply cherished Christian faith. He was a good, caring, loving man who used his earthly time and talents with love, dedication, and devotion. He touched the lives of thousands of students, colleagues, and friends, and his legacy of love and beautiful music will live on in the lives of many for years to come. He is survived by daughter, Teri Lorraine Rose, and husband Steve, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and granddaughter Erin Wallis; son Michael Rush, and wife Summer, of Waco, Texas, and grandchildren Kathleen Rush, Kristine Rush, Margaret Rush, Max MacMaster and David A. Rush; son David W. Rush, and wife Peggy of Waco, Texas; four great grandchildren, Brandon, Wren, Stella-Roux, and Amir; former spouse Jo Poole; and life partner Linda Sherman. A memorial service will be held at the Central Lutheran Church in Eugene on September 24 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family has established a GoFundMe account to help raise money for an Honorary NMMI Bench for Roger. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com and enter “Roger Rush” in the search box. Arrangements entrusted to Poole-Larsen Funeral Home. Photographs and stories may be shared at the guestbook website at musgroves.com.