It is with great sadness that the Coppenbarger family announces the passing of Dr. Roger Dean Coppenbarger, 90, on March 27, 2022, in Arden, NC. Dr. Coppenbarger was born May 28, 1931, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to E.M and Ina Coppenbarger. He grew up in Pittsburg, KS, attending Pittsburg State University as an undergraduate. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Wichita and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Dr. Coppenbarger was Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he taught clarinet and saxophone for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lavonne of Arden, NC; his sons Brent (Sonja) of Taylors, SC; Curt (Katie) of Hudson, WI; Casey (Nancy) of Arden, NC; and grandchildren Sarah, Nate, Ethan, Cole, Rebecca, and William.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Greetings from Whitewater!! This post card dates to around 1910 and features some of the most modern buildings of that era. The Walworth Hotel was built in 1890 and the railroad depot was completed in 1891. The photo of Old Main features the 1897 front addition and City Hall was completed in 1899. The Masonic Temple and the White Library both date from 1904 and the hospital was opened in 1909. The downtown photo has a couple of early 20th century automobiles on Main St. Clearly, this post card was meant to show that Whitewater was a “modern” 20th century city.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Gwynne Sahyun, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Honors List for the 2022 Winter Quarter. Sahyun is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Undergraduate students who have earned a GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) for this quarter are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,700 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
Dr. Paul Bennett of Whitewater, formerly of Beloit, died March 27, 2022.
Although born in Waterloo, Iowa, Paul spent most of his youth and young adulthood in the Chicago area. He attended New Trier high school, Northwestern University (1956), Northwestern University Medical School (1960). He did his internship and residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Dr. Bennett’s specialty training was interrupted by a stint in the U. S. Army, stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Greeley, Alaska. He returned to UTMB to finish his training and remained there as an instructor until he joined the Beloit Clinic as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in 1967.
In 1960, Dr. Bennett married Barbara (Bobbi) Metcalf in Milford, NH. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, daughters Patty (Dr. Steve) Stroman, Egg Harbor, WI., Kathy Bennett, Lebanon, NH, and son, Michael (Jennifer), DePere, WI.
Known as “Oomba” (grandfather) to Jon (Cara) Stroman, Allison (Kieran McCabe) Stroman and Andrew Stroman; Morgan and Haden Bennett, he followed their accomplishments as they developed into delightful and responsible adults. Further survivors include sister Deborah (Bill) Parks, cousin Wendell (Carol) Drew and several nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by a sister and his parents.
Per Dr. Bennett’s wishes, there will be neither a visitation or service. At a later date, the family will gather to celebrate his life on the rural acreage he nurtured and enjoyed in his retirement.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in his name to: Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire and Rescue – W6080 Highway 12, Whitewater, WI 53190, Golden Years Health Care Scholarship – 270 Ridge Road, Walworth, WI 53184, or Aurora at Home Burlington/Walworth Hospice Care Team ATTN: VJ – 116 N Dodge St. Burlington, WI 53105.
An overwhelming THANK YOU to the entire staff at Golden Years in Walworth, WI and the Aurora Burlington/Walworth hospice team: Kay, Kelly and Kim.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra & Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Today we are in the midst of “March Madness” with the NCAA basketball tournament. Back in the early 20th century, these five ladies from the Whitewater Normal School (UWW) were the women’s basketball team. Probably not thinking about basketball “madness,” nevertheless, this photo proves that during the earlier years of the game, women were as interested in playing as men.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s College of Arts and Communication, Department of Music.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Music presents the final concert of the 21/22 Music Mosaics series with the Whitewater Brass Quintet on Sunday, April 10th at 3:00 p.m. in the Light Recital Hall. Ticket prices are $14 for the general public, $12 for over 65, $7 for individuals under 18 and free for all UW-Whitewater students with their Hawkcard. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Masks are strongly suggested for anyone attending events in the Greenhill Center of the Arts and each performance in the Light Recital Hall will have a social distance seating option. Do not come to campus if you are ill. For the most up to date campus safety information, visit the Warhawks are Back webpage at the link below. uww.edu/warhawks-are-back.
Closing out the Mosaics concert series, this concert includes music of Anthony DiLorenzo, Luca Marenzio, Jan Koetsier and more. Faculty performers, Dafydd Bevil, horn, Mike Dugan, trombone, Chris Ramaekers, trumpet, and John Tuinstra, tuba welcome Dr. Matthew Onstad, assistant professor of trumpet at UW-Whitewater.
Works performed include “Go!” by DiLorenzo, “Ecco l’aurora con l’aurato fronte” by Marenzino (arranged by Tuinstra), “Suite Americana No.1” by Enrique Crespo, “Mini Overture” by Witold Lutoslawski, “Giá torna a rallegrar” by Marenzio (arranged by John Tuinstra), and “Brass Quintet” by Koetsier.
The Musicians
A Wisconsin native, Dr. Onstad serves on the faculty of UW-Whitewater where he teaches applied trumpet, coaches chamber music, performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet, and teaches World of the Arts. He has been Principal Trumpet with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra since 2016. While earning his DMA and MM degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Onstad served the Mead Witter School of Music as a Project Assistant performing with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble-in-residence. He holds the rank of Sergeant in the 132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Band and has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Isthmus Brass. Onstad has previously taught trumpet at St. Ambrose University, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has served as a master clinician with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, the 132nd Army Band, and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra throughout the Midwest. Onstad received his BM from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His teachers include John Aley, Alex Noppe, Jean Laurenz, Marty Robinson, and Robert Levy. Onstad is an Edwards Artist and Clinician.
Dr. Onstad
Dr. Ramaekers is currently Director of Orchestras at UW-Whitewater, Music Director of the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Davis Theater Concert Series for Access Contemporary Music, and Associate Conductor of the Chicago Composers Orchestra. During the 2018-2019 season he was Interim Assistant Conductor of the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Quad-City Youth Orchestras. He has been Music Director of the Orchestra of St. Vincent’s and the Hyde Park Youth Symphony, Principal Conductor of the Ravenswood Community Orchestra, and spent nine summers as Director of Orchestras at Camp Encore/Coda in Sweden, Maine. As a guest conductor, he has appeared with the Kalamazoo Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, Lake Forest Civic Orchestra, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the Chicago Opera Vanguard. Ramaekers has held fellowships with the Allentown (PA) Symphony Orchestra and the Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, WI. He was winner of the 2011 American Prize in Orchestral Conducting and holds degrees from Western Michigan University and Northwestern University.
Dr. Ramaekers
Bevil is an active freelance hornist living in Madison, Wisconsin. He is currently completing the Doctor of Musical Arts program at the UW-Madison and is the Associate Lecturer of Horn at UW-Whitewater where he teaches applied horn and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. Additionally, he is the brass section coach of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra and is an active performer with orchestras throughout the region. Prior to his current position as a doctoral candidate, Dafydd completed degrees from Louisiana State University and Roosevelt University where he studied with Seth Orgel and Dale Clevenger. Bevil has performed in a wide range of settings with groups around the country including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Madison Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, La Crosse Symphony, Baton Rouge Symphony, and the Ohio Light Opera. Dafydd also enjoys performing as a chamber musician and can often be found performing with top tier ensembles throughout the Madison area. Recent appearances have been with the Isthmus Brass, Con Vivo, and the Oakwood Chamber Players. He is currently recording his debut solo album and completing his final doctoral project.
Dafydd Bevil
Associate Professor, Dr. Dugan, a native of St. Charles, Illinois, joined the music faculty at the UW-Whitewater in 2009. He currently serves as the Music Department Chair, teaches applied trombone, directs the Trombone Ensemble, and plays in the Whitewater Brass Quintet. In addition to his teaching duties, Dugan is an active freelance artist in the Upper Midwest. He is currently a member of the critically acclaimed Isthmus Bass Ensemble and is the per-service principal trombone of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Other recent engagements include the Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as many fine regional orchestras throughout Wisconsin and Iowa. Dugan has performed and been of faculty at the American Trombone Workshop, International Trombone Festival, Big 12 Trombone Conference, and the Upper Midwest Trombone Summit. From 2001-2005, he was a member of the United States Air Force Band of Liberty. During his tenure with the Band of Liberty, he was the featured trombone soloist with the Concert Band, and the Colonial Brass Quintet. His other performance assignments included the Band of Liberty Jazz Ambassadors and Ceremonial Band. Dugan’s formal education includes a DMA from the University of Minnesota, where he also holds a Master of Music degree. Prior to his study with Tom Ashworth at the University of Minnesota, Dugan received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago, where he studied with Mark Fisher, Charles Vernon and Edward Kocher. Other pedagogical influences include Ed Zadrozny, Kari Sundstrom and Doug Wright.
Dr. Dugan
Dr. Tuinstra holds BM and MM degrees in Music Education and a DMA in Tuba Performance from UW-Madison with minors in Music Education and Conducting. He began his association with UW-Whitewater Department of Music in 1984 and currently serves as Assistant Director of Bands and instructor of euphonium and tuba. Since joining the faculty at UW-Whitewater, he has taught courses in music education, music appreciation, interdisciplinary arts appreciation and brass pedagogy. He is Principal Tuba with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and The Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, and is a member of the Willson Tuba Quartet. He performs with various orchestras including the Madison, Beloit-Janesville, Rockford and Dubuque Symphonies.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Terry Boydston.
Several years ago, the St. John’s Masonic Lodge of Whitewater/Palmyra donated “Masons Care Bears” to the police and fire departments to distribute to local children. This program was funded by lodge member, the late Brother David L. Kachel. In honor and memory of the generosity of our late brother, the lodge is once again donating several of these bears to the Whitewater Police and Fire Departments.
City of Whitewater Acting Police Chief Dan Meyer holds one of the bears donated by the St. John’s Masonic Lodge to the Whitewater Police and Fire Departments.
