Rose, Ronald Gene, 74, of Wheeling, died Monday, August 17, 2009, at the Bishop Hodges Continuous Care Center.
He was born February 6, 1935, in Wheeling, to the late Lawrence and Grace Phillips Rose. Ronald was the band director at John Marshall High School from 1968- 1995 and band director at Wheeling Central Catholic High School. He was twice listed in Who’s Who of American Educators. He received his bachelor’s degree in music from West Liberty State College, and his master’s degree in music from West Virginia University. He was nominated West Virginia outstanding band director in 1977 and 1980. He served 10 years as president of Region 5 Band Members Association. He was co-founder of the music players at the Capital Music Hall. He was the principle percussionist for the Wheeling Symphony for 26 years, and played and directed Big Bands across the Ohio Valley. He was also the conductor for the Viennese Ball for 28 years including this year.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Paul Rose.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Schreiner Rose; two sons, Michael Pamela Rose of Houston, PA, and Mark Susan Rose of Moundsville, WV; one Daughter, Linda Jim Ater of Wheeling; seven grandchildren; one great- grandchild; two nieces; and one nephew.
Friends will be received 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday August 19, 2009, at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger Street, Elm Grove, where a vigil service will be held Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 20, 2009, at 10:00 am at The Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, with Rev. J. Daniel Pisano officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at altmeyer.com
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday August 19, 2009
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Additional Information:
Wed, August 19, 2009
Vigil Service 7:30 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home,
Elm Grove Chapel
Cemetery
Thursday August 20, 2009
Service
Thursday August 20, 2009
10:00 am
Visitation
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Additional Information:
Wed, August 19, 2009
Vigil Service 7:30 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home,
Elm Grove Chapel
“It’s not the quantity but the quality that matters”, Ron Rose use to say! So it was with Mr.Rose at JMHS! RIP
“The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old. But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man…I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.”
Mrs. Rose and family,
It has already been said but “Thank you, thank you” for sharing Mr. Rose with us. While we learned a lot about music from him, we also learned a lot of life lessons as well.
God bless you, Mr. Rose!
JMHS ’84-’86
Although my music pursuits have taken me away from the area for many years, I remember Ronnie’s work with small groups What ever happened to the Club Henry?. More recently I understand he worked with what I remember as the Vince Villanova Big Band. Ronnie will be missed far and near.
Don Morehead, Albany, CA
As a 10 yr old girl in the 5th grade, at First Ward School in Moundsville, I decided that I wanted to play drums. At that time, girls just didn’t play drums in the band. Mr. Rose was my first band teacher and encouraged me to go against the grain. I played percussion through 10th grade and finished under Mr. Rose also. He was a wonderful man and was a great inspiration, not only to me but many other students. He was greatly loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Ron. You have earned your wings.
Dear Family,
Mr. Rose inspired many.He taught me to work hard and too never give up.It was an honor to have him as a teacher and friend.It was also an honor to be part of the award-winning JM Marching Monarchs and jazz bands80-83. I will never forget him. He will be missed.
Respectfully,
Dear family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Please know that Mr. Rose has touched so many lives of so many people and will live within his students lives for many years to come. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his students and audiences alike.
Dear Mark and Rose Family:
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Larry, Jackie and Chip Haines
Dear Mrs Rose,
Like all the others, I am VERY grateful for you sacrificing and allowing your husband to spend so much time with us. I have fond memories of most of my teachers, but Mr. Rose was like no other. Those times in the band office, during our lunches, were so precious. We could talk of any problem, and he would try and help. I am a bakery manager now, and apply a lot of his teachings and mercy in my governing of the work force. How many reading this remember this statement? “Mistakes are going to happen. If you make one, make a dam good one, then recover”. What a forgiving man… Thank you Lord, for allowing this wonderful man to be such a part of my life. Reat in peace dear friend.
With all my love,
George Berlenge
Dear Rose Family and Friends:
My sincere and deepest condolences go out to all of you at this time. As has been stated here many times, but never enough, Mr. Rose was an INCREDIBLE teacher, motivator, and musician. His influence on thousands of students and musicians throughout his life and career cannot be calculated. I was fortunate enough to have had his musical instruction at John Marshall High School. He was and will continue to be a personal hero of mine, and I am certain that holds true for many, many more who have met him. I am sorry for your loss of this irreplaceable man and musician.
Sincerely,
John Whorton
Wheeling, WV
Dear Rose Family,
I am so saddened to hear that we have lost such a wonderful man. I graduated in 1976 from John Marshall. Mr. Rose was a huge influence to me and helped shape the person I am today. I genuinely love him and I grieve for your tremendous loss.
Dear Rose Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I graduated from JMHS in 1982 and was so proud to be in the Marching Monarchs. What great memories we have. Mr. Rose was a great leader and inspiration. We will all miss him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Shirley & Family,
Kay & I send our condolences, we were sharing memories just last week with Peg. Our daughter Carolyn and her daughter Robin were products of Ron’s Band days at JM. Carolyn made sure Ron’s memory live her 3 children. Her son has a Pyschology degree from WVU but he has a band and plays from Chicago to NY. Her youngest daughter is a gifted piano student.
All this was because Ron taught our children the love of music. He was held him in high esteem in our family.
We would have been there for the services but didn’t know until we saw it on TV 7.
May God be with you and your family.
Love,
Lemoine & Kay
Dear Shirley and Family,
Ron will be missed here on earth both as a professional and as a personality but as I read the Guest Book it is easy to see all of the seeds he planted in the ‘field’ of music and realize his legacy will never die.
God Bless,
Dru Kuskey Meyer Class of ’76’
Glen Dale, WV
Dearest Shirley & Family, Anytime I saw Mr. Rose he had a smile and a big Hell-o for me, remembering my sharing a hospital room with Shirley in the early 70’s. I must say,” the world was a better place with Ron Rose in it.” He will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Dearest Shirley and family, I just learned of Ron’s passing via the internet. I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I have always considered Ron to be my best friend. Please accept my condolences and I’ll call you later. Jim
During our senior year, during a time when I had much anger toward the school for various reasons, Ron and I double-dated with girls from other schools and I always considered him one of best friends.
I am so sorry for your loss, all of you will be in my prayers.
I am sorry for your loss. Ron was my band director at JMHS from 1972 to 1974.
I am sorry to hear about Mr. Rose’s passing. I will never forget my time as a student in his band 1980-1983. Mr. Rose expected the best and you never wanted to disappoint him. I think God is being very entertained by his new drummmer. God Bless.
I am very sorry to hear of your lose. Mr. Rose was my band director at JM in 1988. He made band fun and entertaining for everyone that was blessed to have known him. He will be sadly missed by the many of “band geeks” that he helped mold over the years. I hope that now he is in heaven making beautiful music again.
I can’t begin to tell you how much Ron will be missed. I’ve known him for more years than I can remember. He was a great friend and a wonderful musician.
I knew Ron in two different venues, as a musician for Musical Hall Players and Wheeling Symphony and as a patient at Dr. Terry’s office. He was a talented musician and a fun fellow to do musical theater with. He always had a smile on his face and never failed to acknowledge you wherever he saw you. He touched many lives for the better.
I met ‘the legend’ Ron Rose at my first Region 1 Bandmasters meeting in November 1993, and got to know him. Later, his granddaughter Shayna was in my band. Imagine the horror of having Ron attend my band concerts for three years! Later, I knew Ron from Music Hall Players and as a neighbor on Haddale Ave. Thanks, Ron, for always encouraging a little guy like me.
I shared many years playing in the Wheeling Symphony and band concerts with Ron. It was an exciting time and we certainly enjoyed sharing music with the Ohio Valley. It was a pleasure to work with him. Please accept my prayers and sympathy for the family.
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to all of the Rose family. As one of the many Marching Monarchs 82 – 85, I have fond memories of those summers at band camp as he and his assistants tried to get us to pay attention and learn the new routine. We knew that a little goofing around was okay, but after that it was time for business. Thank you for allowing him to spend so much time working with us, sharing that love of music.
I was a proud member of the Marching Monarchs from 1982-1984. So many great memories. Grand-Champions several times…Tennesee trip. I remember on senior night, Mr. Rose forgot to announce my name. He felt terrible and said he would never forget me ever again and he never did.
I surely will never forget him. A talented and truly gifted teacher and special man.
You have my deepest sympathy,
Patti Weekly Cooper
I was in JM’s band from 82-84.My fondest memories from High School were competing in the marching band festivals, and knowing we where the best, because we had the best band teacher. I will always cherish those moments. He taught us more than music, he taught pride and a work ethic. May God bless you all in your time of loss.
I would like to send our condolence from the class of 1953
So glad Ron got to attend our last
reunion.I sent some of the classmates the obit and all said he will sadly be missed
It was fun to work with Ron on musicals. If you sang an off note, in a sea of 50 cast members, he would stop the music and let you know with a groan. I think he almost lost it when we were rehearsing Sondheim’s, Company. haha Anyone out there remember that one? haha Poor Ron..that one was tough.
We all loved Ronnie. He’s leading the angels now, and never has to groan again.
Ron, thanks for all the memories, and great times.
Love,
Pam
Mr Rose was my favorite teacher all throughout high school. My most cherished memories of high school are of band. He was a great man. I am sorry for your loss.
Mr. Rose who is also a cousin, was the best part of my High school experience at John Marshall from 1977-1979 I was so proud to be in HIS band and he led our group to many awards and opportunities, i really loved him. I am sorry for your loss, and may our God give you comfort and strength through this time of sorrow
Mr. Rose was a great teacher who touched so many lives, and he was a superior musician. But I remember most what he did for my daughters when they were in JM band.
Mr. Rose was one of the few teachers I had at John Marshall that made a lasting positive impact on my life. He will be missed.
Mrs Rose and Family
I graduated from John Marshal in 1984 I had lots of fun being in a member of the marching band your husband made each kid feel special about our musical tallents. He gave my highschool years some meaning and gave me a place to fit in he will be missed by so many and has passed on many good memories to those of us who had the chance to know him. God bless you and your family he will be always remembered and sadly missed
Jeri-Lyn Herchuck Logue
Mrs Rose and Family,
Ron will be missed throughout the Ohio Valley, with his personality-He touched the hearts of many students. His inspirations are bestowed in the young people that followed in his footsteps.
May God Bless Him.
David Noble- Class of 1975
Moundsville, WV
Mrs Rose and family,
Words cannot express my deepest sympathy for you and your family. I am so thankful to have had Ronnie for a teacher and mentor. He taught us discipline and self respect. Please know that we appreciated every moment of his life and the time that he gave to us. He has left his mark on this world and I know that he is conducting choirs of angels right now.
Mrs. Rose and Family
I am a 1983 graduate of JM and a proud member of the Marching Monarchs. The three years I spent in the band were three of the most special years of my life. We worked so hard and all the work was paid off with all of our success and that was because of Mr. Rose pushing us and demanding our best, which we gave to him without complaint. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend. If you were having a bad day, you could count on him putting his arm around you and making you smile. He may be gone, be he will never be forgotten, especially by all of us “band geeks” who had the honor and priviledge to have had him in our lives. Thank you Ronnie Rose!!
Mrs. Rose and Family,
I had to leave a piece of my heart on this page, to express the gratitude, love, respect, and appreciation that I felt for the man you referred to as “husband, father, and grandfather”.
Ron Rose left a mark on my very soul…he was my mentor, friend, band director, and a master of music. I was a member of the Marching Monarchs/Flag Corp during my short time at JM, and I must say that Mr. Rose taught me more about discipline, character, strength, morals, and the ability to take pride in myself and accomplishments than any other teacher I ever had. He was a perfectionist of the best kind. I can remember marching after school until it got dark, and sometimes never getting past the first three bars of our halftime show! LOL
Yes, he demanded perfection, but he also “lived what he taught”. I will never forget his loving kindness, and most of all his non-judgemental support that he gave to all of his “kids”. I believe he loved all of us as much as we loved and respected him. There was no other like him. He was a great father-figure to me when I needed one.
Thank you all for sacrificing some of your time with him, and allowing us to share his life. His memory will never be gone, as long as his pupils live on. I’ll always remember him, cigarette in the corner of his mouth, candy bar in his pocket, and all of his destroyed magical wands that he cracked on that desk trying to make us “hear the rhythm, listen to the beat”! My band and band camp memories are some of the best ones of my life. I will sorely miss him, and cherish my wonderful memories forever.
May God bless you all, and hold you safely in the palm of His hands, to carry you through this difficult time. My deepest sympathy,
Shelly Ray-Trussell
JM 1980-1983
Mrs. Rose and family,
I am extremely saddened to hear of your loss. God bless you for loving him enough to let him share his passion for music with so many of us for all these years.
I was a member of the John Marshall Marching Monarchs, ‘73-‘75. Ron Rose was an amazingly talented musician, a kind-hearted man and the best band director anywhere! He taught us to work hard, and to be strong, confident and proud, as a group and as individuals. Little did we know, these traits would follow us throughout our lives.
Keeping a bunch of spirited teenagers focused and on task must have been really frustrating at times, but he did it with patience, humor and a belief that we could do anything we set out to do.
Sometimes we’d grumble when we had to “do it again” for the 15th time, especially with the flashback field maneuver that about drove us all crazy! But we learned that with patience, practice and determination, anything was possible.
With a wink, a nod and a smile, he’d always say, “You can do this, gang!”
So many memories, so little space.
He must have taught thousands of “kids” over the years, and yet he always remembered me when we’d run into one another around the valley. And I will always remember him. I hope he knew how much we appreciated and respected him. Heck, we loved the guy!
May the many prayers and heartfelt condolences you receive carry you through the days to come.
Mrs. Rose and family,
I graduated from John Marshall in 1974 and was one of Ron’s snare drummers in the marching band and percussionists in the concert band. I also fondly remember playing in the Sunday concerts that he directed in Wheeling Park.
Many of us spent many an hour hanging around in the band room, talking with Ron and learning about life in general beyond high school. Without his help I never might have attended and graduated from WVU, and even though I didn’t finish as a music major he was a great influence in my life.
He signed my senior yearbook with “Keep swinging!”, and I always did, to the best of my ability.
God bless you all, and remember that we all keep Ron Rose in our hearts forever.
Mrs. Rose and Family,
I graduated from John Marshall in 1976. I had Mr. Rose as a teacher from the time I was in grade school. He was a cool teacher. I remember during marching season we were on the practice field he yelled at me sayin “Campbell get them knees up”! I have never forgotten that.
Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cheri Campbell Garrison
Mrs. Rose and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Rose was so extraordinary, always encouraging his students to be the best musicians and people we could possibly be. I graduated from John Marshall in 1994 and was a proud band member. He was such a big part of my high school memories – I can honestly think of no teacher who influenced me more. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mrs. Rose and family,
My deepest condolences for your loss.
As I’m sure you are aware, Mr. Rose’s influence stretches far and wide, and his musical “family” numbers in the thousands. The impact he has had on my life and my career cannot be summed up in words, but I became a band director primarily because of Mr. Rose’s influence. I do my best to share what I learned from his teaching, his high standards, and his humanity with my students every day.
“All I want is perfection.”
Thank you, Mr. Rose.
Mrs. Rose and Family,
I am a 1992 graduate of JM and I had the pleasure of being a “Marching Monarch” under the direction of Ron Rose. What an amazing man! My friends and I enjoyed spending time with him. Instead of eating lunch in the commons with the other students, we chose to eat in the band room with Mr. Rose. He always entertained us! I am glad that we did this because it gave us the opportunity to truly get to know him! He will be missed! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Mrs. Rose and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss, and regret that I cannot pay my final respects in person. I had the privilege of being a Marching Monarch under Mr. Rose’s direction from 1987-1999. My fondest memories from high school all revolve around him–band camp, football games, competitions, and of course lunch and study halls spent in the band room with him. Mr. Rose was an amazing character. He taught us much more than music. He taught us how to be classy. He taught us how to have respect for ourselves and others. And he taught us that no matter what, we should always strive to “do it better.”
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mrs. Rose and Family,
I’m very sorry to hear about your husband. I was a John Marshall’s Marching Band. The class of 1982.
I really liked Mr. Rose. He was very funny. Everyone that had him for a teacher will miss him very much.
Again I’m very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Joni Morris
Mrs. Rose and Family,
It was my pleasure know and make a little music with Ron over the years. Playing or conducting, he was the consumate professional and a lot of fun to work and hang out with. What a character! He will be missed.
Mrs. Rose and Family,
My condolences to each of you during this difficult time.
I graduated JMHS in 1976 and played in the band under the direction of Mr. Ronald Rose. What an inspiration. The years of band camp, summer practice, football games, away bus trips, and parades have left an imprint of memories that last a life time. He will never be forgotten.
Mrs. Rose, you gave up so much time with your husband so we could have him. For years, you and your children shared him with so many of us. There are no words to adequately express what your sacrifice meant to me and many students. No words can heal you, I know. All I can say is that prayers are being said for you and your family. Thoughts are being sent your way. Tears are being shed for the great man that has gone Home. Thank you, Mrs. Rose. For giving us so much of your husband. God bless you. God keep you.
Mrs.Rose and Family,
I am saddened by the loss of Mr. Rose. I was lucky enough to be a student of his for 5 years, first at Moundsville Jr. High and then John Marshall. I graduated in 1973, the year we went to Mexico. He was a great band director and teacher. Thank you for sharing him with us. You are in my prayers.