John L. NYBERG

1936 - 2021

John Nyberg, age 84, of Falcon Heights MN and Palm Springs CA, died on April 9, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born on December 14, 1936 on a farm near Cambridge, MN. He attended high school in Braham and went on to receive three degrees from the University of Minnesota - a Bachelor's Degree in Music, a Masters in Music Education, and a Ph.D in Musicology. He taught in schools in Wyoming, California, Okinawa, Japan, in Germany and in Roseville, MN. Dr. Nyberg received the first Christa McAuliffe Fellowship and was named Distinguished Teacher by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. His love for music brought him many opportunities to direct church choirs and college and community musical theater. He was accomplished on the flute and piano, and enjoyed playing accordion cafe music. Upon retiring in 1999, John began spending winters in Palm Springs, CA. He grew to love the desert and, being a lifelong student of the world, learned everything there was to know about desert flora and fauna. He was an art lover, too, and was a docent at the Palm Springs Art Museum for 20 years. He traveled the world with friends and family and especially loved return trips to Italy and Switzerland. He made friends wherever he went and kept them through the years. Witty, knowledgeable, and curious, John was a much admired teacher and mentor. He was — and will continue to be — beloved by family and friends around the world. He is survived by his sister Jeanne Nyberg Paulson, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials preferred to the John L. Nyberg Instrumental Music Scholarship. http://give.umn.edu/give to/nyberg. By mail: University of Minnesota Foundation, PO Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486. Memo line: John L. Nyberg Scholarship (fund 23982). cremationsocietyofmn.com