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Gene Oberst Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Gene Oberst
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Chris Lindgren
September 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers to family and and friends at this difficult time. Mr. Oberst was my band director for 3 years in high school He made music a great experience for me, and all the students lives he touched over the years. He will be truly missed. God bless.
Rachel Patete (Bendickson)
September 19, 2010
Dear Oberst Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Oberst was a great man and a huge influence in my life going into music education I credit him with alot of the musical decisions I made in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jeff Ramsby
September 16, 2010
So very sorry for the family's loss, and also to that of the "dwindling" neighborhood. I grew-up across the street from the Obersts. Mr. Oberst taught me how to make a basket. He was always freindly fun to talk with.
Chris Rygh Pody
September 15, 2010
So many memories of Mr. Oberst and the band. He truly was the leader of the band, talented musician, wonderful teacher and friend to his students. My life is so much richer for having Mr. Oberst teach us the love of music, which has brought such joy to my world. What a wonderful man. I am so grateful for his inspiration and sharing of his marvelous talents with his students. Mr. Oberst a truly gifted musician and teacher. Peace and blessing to the Oberst family.
Anne Rygh/Lafferty
September 14, 2010
They don't make teachers like Mr. Oberst any more. He convinced me to be a clarinetist, not just a music student. He taught me will and staying power, which has served me well in many musical endeavors. I would say Mr. Oberst was my most influential instructor of all. God bless his memory.
Michael Hudgins
September 14, 2010
Gene Oberst was a real musician and a real man in the truest sense. An excellent teacher, family man and highly talented as evidenced by his other musical ventures. I remember seeing him play with the Rockford Symphony and was amazed that my teacher was that good! (high school perspective). I appreciated his interest and attention to making me a better person and sax player in HS. It is something for which I am grateful now, even if I didn't know it at the time.
Looking at all the familiar names in this guestbook is no surprise..His legacy lives on in all of these people and in the lives of their families as well. Good job, Gene. May God bless family and friends.
Todd Hanson
September 13, 2010
Although Mr. Oberst's passing leaves a stinging pain in the hearts of family and friends, I trust we will take joy and consolation in knowing the legacy he left. He poured his life and his talents into other people and the world is indeed a better place.
Thanks, Obie, for instilling the appreciation for music and the value of discipline in me. I promise to pass along your teachings to my children and students you have never met.
Blessings and peace to family and friends.
Cheryl Hinrichs
September 12, 2010
My deepest condolences to the Oberst family and the whole human race. A great man has joined the ranks of the angels.
Even as a high school kid, I knew that Obie was a lot more than the music director at HCHS. The lessons he taught us were as much about life as they were about intonation and embouchure. Show UP! Do your JOB! Be the best you can be. Nothing was more rewarding than the smile on his face when he thought the music sounded like it should. I am forever grateful for the lessons learned.
Mary Lynn (Polaski) Boscardin
September 12, 2010
Many of us who had the opportunity to learn from Gene (Obie), particularly those of us that landed in the teaching profession, appreciated the many lessons he modeled for us about teaching and learning (and patience). Interestingly, last week, I did something I had never done, sharing with my faculty one of life’s lessons that was learned in high school band (one of the stories I could tell), and then sadly on Thursday I received the call about Obie’s passing away. What a bittersweet, serendipitous moment! I was forever grateful for Obie encouraging us to have a life-long love for music, an avocation I continued to pursue with the symphony orchestra here until Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms did my elbow in a few years ago; a piece that was much more intense than anything Vaclav Nelhybel wrote. My husband and I will always have fond memories of Gene and his band playing at our wedding and running into Gene on his bicycle on one of our infrequent visits to Rockton. During one of those early visits, he was complaining because he did not have any grandchildren, yet. From reading the obituary, it looks like the boys came through with flying colors, continuing to bring joy to their father’s life. Plainly and simply, Obie was the best and will be sadly missed. Joyce and family, please accept my heartfelt condolences and know that the music in heaven just got better.
Janet Lovejoy Kibler
September 12, 2010
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Mr. Oberst (Obie) was a great teacher. All my siblings were in the Hononegah band so he was a topic of discussion at the dinner table many times. He was kind, had a great sense of humor and shared his passion of music with many. He will be missed!
Jon Mortensen
September 12, 2010
It’s often said that those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. I find this offensive to all teachers, and particularly offensive to music teachers. Every music educator that I’ve had the pleasure to study under has been FIRST a good musician and then a good teacher. Gene Oberst was no exception. Those of us who heard him play (or eventually had the pleasure to work with him professionally) knew that Gene was a good teacher BECAUSE he was a good musician. Gene gave the gift of music to his students. I get to honor him every day by passing that gift on to my students. Many of my former students, who are now music educators, get to pass on the gift their students. Whether, or not, Gene ever contemplated how far-reaching his talents would spread, the fact remains that countless generations have benefitted from gift of music that he passed to us. It saddens me that I’m unable to attend the visitation (symphony rehearsal) or the funeral (5th grade beginning band students get their very first lesson on the 13th) but I take comfort in knowing that my life has been so richly rewarded by having had Gene Oberst as a teacher, and mentor.
September 12, 2010
Gene Oberst was a man who changed lives; he changed mine. I came from a small rural school that had only the crudest vocal music and somehow he saw in me that music would enrich my life. And so he gave me the wonderful gift of his time and music. Choir, band, marching, dance band, playing at the Wagon Wheel, music contests, folk music, dixieland, Beloit Area Symphony and on and on, all this from one man. Gene Oberst will always be one of the heros in my life. I praise God that his life and mine came together and that mine is so much the richer for it.
Janet Clikeman-Patrick
September 12, 2010
My deepest sympathies to you all in the loss of your beloved Gene. Mr. Oberst was one of the best teachers at HHS, gently encouraging those of us in choir to work harder, breathe properly and enunciate clearly-but much more than these things- to have a passion for music - and communicate that to others from the bottom of our souls. He always saw the best in his students - in the music room and outside of class -always encouraging us to keep learning and strive to be the best musicians we could be. He may never know how many of his students like myself and others from the class of '70 went on to study music in college and made our passion our profession.
May God hold you all in His loving arms and grant you peace during this difficult time.
Kathy McKearn
September 12, 2010
I wish that all kids could have a teacher as wonderful as Mr. Oberst was. I loved him. My sincere condolences to the Oberst family.
Laurie Mac Martin
September 12, 2010
Ah, Mr. Oberst. Known in my heart as Obie. When my dad died, at his funeral - standing room only, we learned how many lives he had touched after 20 years of teaching. And yet Mr. Oberst – taught for 30 years, and many of us had him for more than just the 4 years in H.S. He taught me oboe lessons since the 4th grade, every Sat. He also directed school musicals, I will never forget Camelot. He was on the football field with the marching band - screaming our names – “MACMARTIN- on the line” every week. We hung out in his office daily at lunch and most study halls. He never turned us away. As teenagers, how important was this! So many knew him, loved him, pestered him and adored him. After reading his accomplishments, I realize, too, he was such a modest man. Just did his thing - yet always remained true, committed and protective of his family life. It was an honor to have known this man and have him influence my life. He was one of the good ones – the world will surely miss. AND .. Just as we have, I know his family will find comfort and joy for years to come – in the stories and the love they receive because of the lives he touched.
September 12, 2010
Jeff, Paula, Justin, Cory and family,
Although we only knew Gene briefly from his visits to Florida, we gain comfort in knowing that you have wonderful memories to cherish. We enjoyed reading of his many contributions - what an amazing man who lived a full and vibrant life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Pywells
Bob, Eileen, Connor and Cameron
September 11, 2010
Joyce, Jeff, Paula, Justin and Cory, Our deepest sympathy to you and all your family. Though we didn't know Gene a long time we enjoyed the time we shared with him and knew him as a kind, fun-loving gentleman who adored his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Joyce and Ed Maenle
Judy (Betts) Wirth
September 11, 2010
I will never forget Mr. Oberst, our Choir Director who was sure I could sing with the best. He taught me many things including to sing from my diaphram. He was kind and consistent and gave all of us the chance to be great. I am sorry for your loss and mine. Even though it is 46 years since I saw him, he will always remain in my heart.
Anne (Frisk) Russell
September 11, 2010
There are many teachers that inspired during my years at Hononegah, but none more then Mr Oberst. For 4 years he took me under his wing, spending extra hours building my confidence and pushing me to strive for more then I thought I could accomplish. Not only did he teach me music, but many valued life lessons. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. May your memories bring you peace at this difficult time.
Pamela Busker Matlin
September 11, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. Mr. Oberst was a wonderful teacher and band director during my highschool years at Hononegah. He was always kind and encouraging to his students, inspiring us with his love of music. He will be fondly remembered and missed by many.
Roberta Kullen (Sproul)
September 11, 2010
Mr. Oberst was one of the best teachers I ever had, certainly the best at Hononegah. I was a member of choir before Lana Dull was hired. I also struggled thru 2 years of music theory, as difficult and demanding as any college course. Gene had the ability to draw out the best in a student. When he laughed, which was frequently, all of us felt lighter, but, he didn't take any crap either. You encountered his wrath once, you aspired never to again!
I'm 53 years old, and still remember my times in the band room with Gene like it was yesterday. What an amazing eulogy, what an amazing person. We were blessed.
Dave Hamburg
September 11, 2010
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Oberst. At the recent 40th reunion of the great Hononegah class of '70, many of us attendees were band members and had great memories of our times in band class with him. He was my inspiration to become a career musician and band teacher. My sincere condolences to his family.
September 11, 2010
Joyce and family: It sadden me to receive the news about Gene. I have so many wonderful memories of Gene and the Oberst family. My sincere condolences to you all. Barb Fiorillo
Sandy Black Franke
September 11, 2010
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. He was such an inspiration to so many. They say athletic coaches teach life lessons. Mr. Oberst taught us all many life lessons and will be missed by many. Thanks for the memories!!!!!
cory engesetter
September 11, 2010
Dear Joyce,
I want to tell you how dearly sorry I am for your loss. I didn't know Gene for long, but the time that I had to stop in and chat with him and your family was terrific! We found out we had many little things in common, and I want to say that your family is great! You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless Your Friend, Cory
Bonnie (Nielsen) Wigen
September 10, 2010
Mr. Oberst was a great teacher who could inspire his students, even those of us who doubted our own abilities. He encouraged us less-than-great singers in choir and as our class advisor, worked with us for our four years at Hononegah. He will always have a place in our hearts and memories. I recall singing "Unchained Melody" in choir and think of those times whenever I hear it. My sincere condolences to his family, and thank you for sharing him with us all.
September 10, 2010
Dear Joyce, Jeff and Paula, Justin and Cory, and all the family,
We will fondly recall Gene and all the great visits we had with him and Joyce in Florida. He had a common language of music with our kids, and was always supportive and encouraging by attending Caroline's All County concerts, listening to Jessica's clarinet solos, and delighting in her successful pursuit of her career as a band director as well. We have wonderful memories of SuperBowl parties, celebrating Gene's birthdays, and even dinner out at Season's 52 just last spring. His legacy remains in his children, grandchildren, students, and all those who had the pleasure to know him. We send you our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences.
Paula, Ron, Jessica, Joey and Caroline Davoli
Leanne Verhaalen
September 10, 2010
Mr. Oberst was chior director for St. Peter's Church in So. Beloit too for a while while I was a student at Hononegah in the 1970's. It was really an honor to be under his direction there.
September 10, 2010
I loved that man.......he was such an inspiration to so many kids....me being one of them.........I know that heaven is rejoicing that such a wonderful and talented person is joining the ranks. My deepest sympathy to the family.......Thank God for a man like him
Gwen Black Stone......Orlando
Sheri Greenfield
September 10, 2010
I am so very sad. Not only was I in band with "Ob" I worked with him for years. He encouraged me to coach and supported me 100% and for that I will be eternally grateful. What a wonderful man. A true disciplinarian who knew how to teach and communicate with students his love for music. The world is a sadder place but Heaven is rejoicing. Sheri Greenfield
Kate,Bill,Will & Ellie Coleman
September 10, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Oberst family, espcially our friends, Mike and Tonjia and the girls.
Mark Braukhoff
September 10, 2010
Gene made a very positive difference in the many, many lives he touched over the years at Hononegah, including mine. I will cherish the many great memories I have of him, and I pray that God will comfort Gene's family. We will all miss him.
September 10, 2010
The Kyes family would like to extend our deepest and sincere sympathy to the Oberst family. A long time friend of Dave and Deb Oberst I have known Dave's family for many years. His father was a terrific man and will be greatly missed by many. We offer our condolences and prayers to all of you. From,Loren and Pam Kyes and family.
September 10, 2010
I was so sad to hear about Gene's passing. I was a Saxophone player in his HCHS Band and learned so much from him. I admired his talent so much and was so excited when he started to play a Saprano Sax. He also had my son in his band and Rodney also played the Saxophone. He was always so interesting and fun to listen to. My Sympathies are with you and your family which I know loved so much.
Ruth Ann (Holmes) Wecker
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