All of the many expressions of heartfelt sympathy are so touching. Thank you from the Warnaar family.
You have confirmed his influence as an outstanding band director and trumpet teacher, but also so much more. The ultimate goal in music education is to enstill a love of music that will encourage a student to make music an integrel part of ones life forever. Dave Strobe, you nailed it when you said he had a talent for challenging even the best musicians in his groups and stretching them just a little bit more. Orchard View Bands were certainly among THE BEST in the State!
It is so fitting that the memorial scholarship to Blue Lake Camp has been established. Don was in on the ground floor of Blue Lake Camp some 45 years ago! I remember like it was yesterday, sitting around a cozy fire at the Stansell's home on Lake Michigan with the Krive's, the Bjerregaard's and many others dreaming and brainstorming about a possible Music Camp. Then two months later discussing the Boy Scount Camp which was for sale and how can we turn in into a music camp. The rest is history.
During those early years we had two little girls and another on the way and no money to put into the venture, so we gave 'sweat equity'. We raked leaves, pounded nails, and painted, and as the first camps opened we taught 'out in the woods'. Don has been a supporter, teacher, and conductor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp ever since.
I just wanted you to know the long long time connections that make this memorial so important and so very meaningful. Thank you, and bless everyone of you who have written rememberances, and especially Don's family of the last 16 years.
Gail Warnaar##imported-begin##Gail Warnaar##imported-end##
