Gary Fiscus

Gary Fiscus passed away Friday, September 7th, at home after a lifetime of achievement.

Gary Lee Fiscus was born July 2, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Orley Nugent Fiscus and Leona Goecke Fiscus. At that time, they were living in the Liscomb/Bethel Grove Church area but soon after moved to "what became known as" the family farm in the La Moille/Marshalltown area. Gary attended State Center School through the 11th grade when they moved to Marshalltown where he graduated from high school. He attended Marshalltown Community College and Drake University where he earned his Bachelor of Church Music and Bachelor of Music Education in 1972. He attended graduate courses at Westminster Choir College, The University of Iowa, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska and the University of Michigan. He gave his senior organ recital in Marshalltown. He directed numerous choirs, was the organist for many churches, played for many weddings, and accompanied many singers throughout his life.

Gary originally planned to be a Minister of Music in a large city church, however, late in college decided to pursue a teaching degree, which he never regretted.

In 1973 he began his career at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, where he taught choral music and music appreciation for 31 years. During his years at Lewis Central, the choral program grew from three choirs to seven. Under his direction, the Lewis Central choirs were chosen to perform at several state and regional events including; Creighton Universities Honors Convocation, Governor Vilsak's Inauguration Gala Concert, Honor Choir at Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and SWI Choral Director's Association. The Lewis Corporation show choir also received numerous championship awards in several states. More than 500 of his students at Lewis Central were accepted into the Iowa All-State Chorus, his choirs consistently received Division I ratings at the IHSMA State Large Group Festival from 1973 to 2005. More than 100 of his students went on to study music, 15 of which are teaching and five who are performing professionally.

Fiscus received the Lewis Central Yearbook Dedication in 1977, was named Lewis Central Educator of the Year in both 1979 and 2005, conductor of the Iowa Opus Honor Choir in 1990 and honorary chairman for Council Bluffs Relay for Life in 2002. He was granted both Council Bluffs Sertoma Educator of the Year and Governors Recognition for Teaching Excellence in 2003. He was also named conductor of the Masterworks Concert Series at Valley High School in 2006 and speaker for the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Leadership Conference in 2002, 2006, and 2007. He served as a music contest adjudicator in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska since 1978. He earned the 2006 Spirit of Courage Award and was listed in the 2007 edition of Who's Who Among American Teachers and Educators.

In 2007 he was a recipient of the Iowa Choral Directors Robert McCowan Award, and he earned the 2008 Alegent Health Heritage Award in Arts and Humanities. In 2009, he received the National Federation of High Schools, Outstanding Music Educator Award for the State of Iowa, and in 2010 received the same award in the states of Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois. Gary was named to the Lewis Central Educational Foundation Hall of Fame in 2011.

After retiring from Lewis Central, he became an adjunct vocal music instructor at Iowa Western Community College, served as music director at Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha, and served as the assistant conductor and organist for Mid-American Music Tours to Europe for a number of years. He served as Southwest Iowa Representative, President-Elect, President, and Past President of the Iowa Choral Directors Association, and was the Convention Chairman in 1990 for the ICDA Choral Symposium. He also served in leadership positions on several civic organizations including the Festival of Trees.

He was in demand as a public speaker in several states, regularly speaking to chapters of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, schools, and other Christian groups. In 1979 he married Kathy Spencer in Council Bluffs. Gary and Kathy have spent their entire married life in Council Bluffs, giving of their time and talents not only to Lewis Central but also to the entire area.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughter, Valerie (Josh), of Kansas City; son, Matthew, of Council Bluffs; his sister, Darlene Cory (Max), of Oelwein; and nephews, Dennis Shipley (Kendra) and Darin Shipley, of Marshalltown, David (Bev) Shipley, of State Center and Douglas Shipley (Sharon), of Pleasant Hill; and niece, Dixie (Tom) Staecker, of Carlisle; 8 great nephews; 6 great nieces and 1 great great nephew and one great great niece.

True to form, Gary continues to currently teach students.

He donated his body to the Anatomical Board of the State of Nebraska, where his body will be used to train future medical professionals. His family is honored to share his legacy with the community.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a memorial fund, suggestions include: The Lewis Central Educational Foundation Fiscus Family Scholarship, founded in mid 2000; New Horizon Presbyterian Church Grand Piano Fund of Council Bluffs; Iowa Choral Directors Association Endowment Fund, which Gary co-founded. Celebration of Life services will be held on Sunday, September 30th, 2012, at 2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, Neb. Reception in Council Bluffs to follow.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.