Past National President Richard Rodean Passes Away

Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi:

We are sad to report the death on November 14, 2009 of Kappa Kappa Psi Past National President Richard (Dick) William Rodean of Denton, Texas.

Dr. Rodean served as National President from 1979-1981 at the 31st Biennial Convention held on the University of Cincinnati campus. Mary Jeanne van Appledorn’s LUX: Legend of Sankta Lucia received its premiere performance by the National Intercollegiate Band.

After completing his public school education in the Chisholm schools, Rodean was accepted into the Eastman School of Music where he earned the Bachelor of Music degree in 1963 and the Master of Music in 1964. He received his Ph.D. in the Division of Fine Arts at Texas Tech University in 1980.

Rodean began his teaching career as a high school band director in Brighton, New York. He then served as assistant band director at the University of Buffalo for two years before accepting the position of band director at the University of Tampa, where he subsequently became the Chair of the Music Department and Chair of the Fine Arts Department. During that time, he was also principal bassoonist with the Tampa Philharmonic and the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Rodean served as National President of Kappa Kappa Psi from 1979-1981. In 1981, he joined Texas Woman’s University as Chair of Music, Dance and Drama. Throughout his tenure, he continued his love for musical performance as a member of the Zephyr Winds chamber ensemble and with the Wichita Falls Symphony. He held the positions of Associate Dean and Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences before retiring in 2005.

If you would like to send a note of condolence the address is : Rodean Family, 2212 Burning Tree Lane, Denton TX 76209-1411.

Posted in Uncategorized.