ELDON R. OBRECHT

Eldon R. Obrecht, 90, a longtime resident of Iowa City, died Monday, March 7, 2011, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City.

Eldon was born June 6, 1920, in Rolfe, Iowa, son of William and Harriet (Petronek) Obrecht. From early on Eldon chose to live a life embracing music.

According to a biography of Eldon written by Mario Chiarello, his father ran the local movie theater, and his first piano lessons were given by the pianist who supplied the music for the silent films.  
In 1935, Eldon played the double bass in the RHS orchestra that participated in the national music contest in Madison, Wisconsin. It earned a superior rating in Class C competition. He graduated Rolfe in 1936, then attended the University of Iowa and earned his Master's in Composition in 1942.
In 1943 he was married to Maxine Schlanbusch, who shared his passion for music. Shortly after marriage Eldon served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Upon returning home, he and Maxine moved briefly to the East Coast where he was a member of the National Symphonic Orchestra in Washington D.C.

In 1947, Eldon was invited back to the University of Iowa by Philip G. Clapp to pursue his doctoral degree and join the faculty where he was a renowned performer, composer, and teacher. He retired from the university in 1990.

One of Eldon's prized accomplishments was teaching the Music Appreciation Classes that were broadcast on WSUI until 1973. He influenced many students' lives, both musicians and non-musicians alike. He was an accomplished educator, performer, composer, author, musician and most of all a loving husband and father. Eldon retired from the University in 1990, but continued to teach double bass students until 1992. Even in retirement he pursued his love for music.

Eldon's family includes his brother, Robert Obrecht of Redding, CT; daughters, Celia Obrecht (Stephen Hutchens) of Bellingham, WA, Julia Hardie (Gary) of Waco, TX, Nancy Jephcote of Martha's Vineyard, MA and Martha Spangler (David) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; parents and half-brother, Arthur Erwin Obrecht.

A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with a time of visitation following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Eldon Obrecht Fund at the University of Iowa School of Music, which will be used to fund a scholarship in his name. Contributions may be sent to the University of Iowa Foundation, c/o Eldon Obrecht Fund, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Online condolences may be sent to Eldon's family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services in Iowa City is caring for Eldon's family and his arrangements.