Fri Sep 10 2010
NEW CONCORD -- William F. Schlacks, 61, of New Concord, Ruth Dorsey Neptune Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts and Chair of the Department of Music at Muskingum University, died Sunday (Aug. 23, 2009) at Good Samaritan Hospital, Zanesville.
Born in Chicago, Ill., son of the late Clarence and Lois (Mackey) Schlacks, Dr. Schlacks earned the Bachelor of Science in music education and Master's of Music in trumpet performance degrees from Northern Illinois University, and Ph.D. in music education from the University of Miami (Florida). He taught instrumental, choral, and general music in public schools in Illinois. Upon completing his doctorate he conducted the Wind Ensemble and was Coordinator of Music Education at Indiana University-Perdue University at Fort Wayne. From the City of Fort Wayne, he received the Medal of Merit for founding and conducting the Fort Wayne Area Community Band.
He joined the faculty of Muskingum University in 1985, where he touched the lives of hundreds of students and future music educators as he led the Wind and Percussion Ensemble, the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds, and taught conducting, music theory, and music education. He was a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Ohio Music Education Association, the College Band Directors National Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He served on the board of the Ohio Society for Music Teacher Education, and as president of the Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association.
He was widely known as a leader of small instrumental ensembles, as a clinician, consultant and composer.
He was past president of the Ohio Association of Music Schools and served on the board of the Ohio Coalition for Music Education.
In 1995, he was named an Outstanding Educator by the Zanesville Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and in 2007, he was installed as a distinguished Friend of the Arts by the Alpha Gamma chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota.
He was a member of New Concord United Methodist Church, where he served as conductor of the Aldersgate Choir.
Dr. Schlacks served the New Concord community as organizer and leader of Celebrate New Concord, a summer evening variety series in the village park, and as long-time softball coach.
He will be remembered fondly as husband, father, brother, friend, teacher, advisor and coach.
He is survived by his wife, Mary of the home; two daughters, Erin of Long Beach, Calif., and Samantha of the home; sisters, Lois Taylor of Jupiter, Fla., Beverly (Warren) Madden of Ames, Iowa, and Susan (Joe) Shearin of Barrington, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Aug. 26, 2009, at the New Concord United Methodist Church. Rev. Steve Sullivan officiated.
Burial was in New Concord Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Music-Muskingum University, or New Concord United Methodist Church.
Mock-Miller Funeral Home, New Concord, is entrusted with the services.
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