Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
James Qualkinbush Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Qualkinbush
Chuck Biller
May 7, 2014
Best Band director & trumpet teacher I ever had. Played 2nd chair 1st trumpet in the HHS Band and "ride chair" in the HHS dance band. He pushed me to be better than I ever dreamed. Great teacher and became a good friend as well.
December 19, 2013
Enjoyed every minute with Mr. Qualkinbush in band at HHS. He will be greatly missed.
D Deavours
Karen (Mulholland) Bender
October 14, 2013
Mr Qualkinbush was such an influence and an example of leadership in my young life in the band at HHS. He saw potential in me that I didn't know I had to be in the Concert Band as a freshman oboe player and to become drum majorette in the Marching Band. I will always remember him.
jose recio
October 9, 2013
Rip.
Gloria Moore
July 13, 2013
Enjoyed watching him as he lead the HHS band. Enjoy yourself as you conduct Heavens band.
BHE
June 26, 2013
Best band memories include Mr.Q.
HHS 1982
Laura Tapper/Melcher
June 26, 2013
It was a pleasure to have Mr. Qualkinbush as my band teacher.He was a Great Instructor. My deepest sympathy.
Joe & Mary Dancho
June 25, 2013
This is sad news....We were so fond of Mr. Qualkinbush. He was so incredibly talented, and I will never forget how much time he dedicated to his students, to help us learn our instruments to perfection. I appreciate all he did for us....May his Memory Be Eternal+
Laurie Knudsen
June 25, 2013
As a first chair first clarinet player who had no business being there, Qualk pushed me to be better than I ever thought I could be. From state contests to summer band trips to Detroit and Milwaukee to doing the Teaberry Shuffle in marching band during way too many halftime shows, we always wanted to do our best for him. He was an outstanding and inspirational teacher.
Karen Grubb-Rector
June 25, 2013
Awww,,,what a loss. I fondly remember Mr. Qualkinbush and his tolerance of one without one ounze of musical talent...me. However, he was always encouraging knowing I loved music. Great teacher. My sincere condolences.
Gregory Dillman
June 25, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family on your loss. Jim was a great guy and treated me like a son. I am sure he will be greatly missed by everyone.
Neil Holbrook
June 25, 2013
I loved my time with Mr. Qualkinbush and the band in the mid 70s, as I graduated in 1976. He always had confidence in me and pushed me to be the best player I could be. One of the few teachers to take a personal interest. I have a lot of great memories and will always be indebted to him. My sympathies upon his passing.
John Watkins
June 25, 2013
I started on the cornet and the baritone and finally ended up on the upright bass and electric bass because Mr. Qualkinbush needed a bass player for the stage band. Thank you, sir. Rest in Peace.
Daniel Stern
June 25, 2013
I was recruited by Mr Q. from Lafayette middle school to Hammond High in 1972. Played every summer, marched, concert band, stage band and surrounded by some of the most talented kids in Northern Indiana. It was Mr. Q. who pushed us very hard to win as many contests as we did and us soloists too. He was demanding but balanced it with a wicked sense of humor and latitude to be ourselves. I have such good memories of him, breaking his conductor batan and getting a metal one that he regularly bent. I thought he was fantastic and have always talked about him fondly. All music teachers could learn from him. All my best to his family - he was a great man, teacher and motivator that talked to us like equals. He was the best!
Lana Thompson (Jarvis)
June 25, 2013
Mr. Qualkinbush was my band director from 1972 thru 1975. I have many fond memories of Concert Band, Stage Band and Marching Band. My favorite memories are being chosen to be Majorette in Marching Band and our road trips for Stage Band.
Your legacy will live on
Mr. Qualkinbush, may you rest in peace.
Betty Jo Wright (Melton)
June 25, 2013
HHS graduate of 1969. I remember Mr. Q like it was yesterday. Although I didn't play in his band, I was a pom pom girl and thoroughly enjoyed the football games when we marched on the field and our band played. It was awesome. A favorite memory of mine and well as Mr. Q. He had such passion and commitment for music and his students. My condolences to family and friends. RIP Mr. Q.
Theodore McClendon
June 25, 2013
For many, he was a doorway into instrumental music.
Cheri (Potts) Dugger
June 24, 2013
Debbie,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. I am sorry that we have lost touch, but I often have wondered where you were and what you've been doing. I am a middle school band director with hopes of retiring in a couple of years. I still play clarinet!
Take Care.
June 24, 2013
To the greatest band director northern indiana ever had, my deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Qualkinbush. I was a lowly third chair sousaphone player but his commitment to us and the music was undeniable. And i felt he heard every wrong note i played. Rest in peace sir.
Chuck Nejak
June 24, 2013
Thank you Mr. Qualkinbush. I enjoyed every moment of my 4 years in Band and concert band. That was truly enjoyable. You were a great man.
Joanne Hodor (Masepohl)
June 24, 2013
Mr Q taught me to play French Horn when I couldn't even play a note. He worked with me on lunch hours until I could sit in the band. My first day he wanted one right note at the right time, increasing it by at least one note per day. I too marched in Downtown Hammond and on football fields, and played at the World's Fair leadership. He played a major role in many young lives. His legacy lives on through the students he touched.
June 24, 2013
To the entire family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss and know you will miss him greatly. Just remember the good times and how much he ment to all of you. What a great blessing to think of others at this sad time in your life. He would greatly admire your gift of love on Annie's behalf I'm sure. Love and prayers, Danny and Cathy Cantwell
Greg rutledge
June 24, 2013
My condolences. He was always very kind to me.
Doug Jordan
June 24, 2013
To Debbie, so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. He and I were Band Directors about the same time and he was excellent as the band director at Hammond.Glad I got to know you and Jim over the years. Please accept my condolences.
June 24, 2013
Thank you Mr. Qualkinbush for 4 years of music at HHS 1962-1966. We couldn't appreciate then, but we do now.
Debi Buttram
June 24, 2013
Mr.Q was my band teacher at D.o.H.H.S....he led us to the Worlds Fair in Toronto, through the streets of downtown Hammond, and on the football field at Hammond High.
When the school burned, he found a way to replace burned uniforms and instruments.
He expected, and demanded perfection from each of us.
R.I.P Mr.Q
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
Make a Donation
in James Qualkinbush's name
Memorial Events
for James Qualkinbush
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Qualkinbush's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
