Ron Modell
Born: November 11, 1934
Died: June 10, 2025
Ronald Jules Modell, age 90, died on Tuesday, June 10 at his home in DeKalb, IL, with his beloved wife Kathy nearby. He was born November 11, 1934 in the Bronx, New York to Nathan and Gertrude Modell, better known as Nat and Gertie. In his 90 years, Ron lived a dozen lives, each of them with humor, generosity, and humility.
At just 18 years old, Ron embarked on his first job as a professional trumpeter, touring with the legendary Cornelia Otis Skinner in her one-woman production of Paris 90. It would be the first of many professional flirtations with giants of the music world, ranging from Duke Ellington to Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Tony Bennett and many more. After touring with Ms. Skinner, Ron took the Principal Trumpet position with the Tulsa Philharmonic, a job he would return to a couple of years later after a brief stint playing Afro-Cuban jazz – a lifelong love – in New York City with Machito. Ron then spent nine seasons as Principal Trumpet with the Dallas Symphony, playing under such great conductors as Solti, Munch, Erhling, Monteux, Dorati, Previn, and Mancini.
And then, in 1969, Ron joined the faculty of Northern Illinois University, where he would launch one of the first college jazz programs in the country. The NIU Jazz Ensemble became a model for other jazz programs, all inspired by Ron's passion for teaching and performance. By treating his students like the young professionals they aspired to be – and matching them up with world-class guest artists from Dizzy Gillespie to James Moody and many more – he was able to instill his own abiding love for music in thousands of others. During his 28 years at Northern, the NIU Jazz Ensemble played more than 600 concerts for more than 600,000 people, released 13 albums, and toured the world. Separate from the Jazz Ensemble, Ron toured the world – along with many of his former students – as part of Phil Collins' big band.
Before and into his retirement, Ron was an avid golfer. Around his 70th birthday, he launched yet another career: stand-up comedian. After a lifetime spent telling jokes to everyone and anyone who would listen, he took these "stories" to the stage, most often at McCurdy's Comedy Club, near his and Kathy's winter home in Florida. Patrons would call the club, asking, "When's the old guy coming back?" Just last year, for his 90th birthday, Ron performed a final set at McCurdy's to a packed house. He was an entertainer from beginning to end.
The commonality in all of Ron's endeavors was a generosity of spirit. He was never happier than when he was making other people happy, whether with a joke, a compliment, a song, or a recommendation of something to eat –another big passion of his. He wasn't particularly interested in money or material things. His prized possession was a stack of letters and messages, mostly from former students, thanking him for changing their lives for the better. There are hundreds of these letters and messages.
Ron is predeceased by his parents; his daughter, Lisa Robin Modell; and his brothers, Sandy and Lance Modell.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Kathy Modell; sons, Josh, Christopher, and Scott Modell; daughters, Lisa Marie and Jennifer Modell; stepson, Brian Severson; daughters-in-law, Christina Severson and Erin Hazard; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak Street in DeKalb.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at First Congregational United Church (615 N 1st Street in DeKalb). All are welcome. Burial will be immediately following the service at Fairview Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Northern Illinois University's Ron Modell Scholarship Endowment in Jazz Studies: https://foundation.myniu.com/give.php
Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.
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