Obituary - Glen R. Lockery

Glen Rosholt Lockery, 93, Moscow

Glen Rosholt Lockery, 93, of Moscow, passed away at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow. He was born Jan. 18, 1918, to the late Glen Burr and Mabel Rosholt Lockery in Portage County, Wis. He had lived in the Moscow area since 1947, coming from Rosholt, Wis.

Glen is survived by a brother; nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother Donald J. Lockery and sister Thelma "Sally" R. Torbenson.

Glen received Bachelor of Art's and Bachelor of Music degrees from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. He earned a Master of Art's in Music and Music Education from Columbia University. He also did additional course work at Columbia and Julliard.

During World War II Glen attended the U.S. Navy Midshipman's School at the University of Notre Dame. As a lieutenant J.G., he then served in Africa and Algeria and took part in the invasion of Salerno, Italy, before being stationed in England. During that time he worked in the correspondence office, handling vital communications for the U.S. naval forces. He later received a Letter of Commendation from the Navy for his role in the successful accomplishment of the Invasion of Europe on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Glen couldn't recall not having an interest in music. As a young child he sang at various community events and was later the only youth member of an adult choir. His first conducting experience happened while he was still in high school, when the conductor of the girl's choir was unable to conduct a performance and Glen stepped in. Then while serving in England during the war, he formed a 35-member chorus made up of men from his unit and women from the Women's Royal Auxiliary Naval Group.

After returning home he lived in New York City, where he became involved with Robert Shaw and the group that would eventually become the Robert Shaw Chorale.

In 1947, Glen was hired by the University of Idaho to teach voice and to be the conductor of the Vandaleers, the university's concert choir. He held this position 34 years, until his retirement in 1981. Under his direction, the Vandaleers became known as one of the premier choral organizations in Idaho. The choir appeared on national radio networks, television shows and undertook state, regional and international tours to Europe in 1971 and Latin America in 1975, in addition to concerts given locally. In May 1989, as part of the UI centennial celebration, Glen was honored by the Vandaleers during a reunion of past and present members of the choir. In association with this honor, Glen was commended on the floor of the U.S. Senate April 18, 1989, and the commendation is part of the U.S. Congressional Record.

Glen shared his talents in collaboration with UI Theatre by helping direct Moscow Community Theatre productions. He also founded the community choral group Friends Of Music, a fore-runner of the present-day Idaho-Washington Chorale.

Glen was a member of IMEA/MENC, Pi Kappa Lamba, Phi Mu Alpha and of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In 2008 he was inducted into the Idaho Music Educators Hall of Fame.

While living in Idaho, Glen maintained a strong devotion to his roots in Rosholt. Having built a cottage there, he enjoyed summers at the lake amid the chaos of visits from family members whom he always welcomed to the cottage. At the same time, Glen lovingly cared for the Rosholt family home, which had been continuously occupied by family members since being built by his grandfather, John Gilbert Rosholt, in 1906. Through Glen's untiring efforts, he was successful in having the home placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

In addition to all his other accomplishments, Glen was an excellent woodworker and carpenter as well as an avid outdoorsman, golfer and bridge player.

Glen was a member of Paradise Masonic Lodge No. 17 in Moscow, the Scottish Rite, the Calam Shriners, and the Latah County Shrine Club.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues, but his contributions, talents and devotion to others will go on.

At his request, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at a later date in both Moscow and Rosholt. Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of one's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.

Lewiston Tribune, December 29, 2011, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock