Stephen Max Ehrich

Stephen graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1961 and was awarded a degree in music education from Luther College in 1965. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree he was hired as band director at South Winneshiek High School where he consistently received the highest ratings at contests for four years. It was during his fourth (and final) year that he had 5 students make the Iowa All State Band which was unprecedented.

After resigning from public school teaching he obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and played French horn in the Greeley Philharmonic. Stephen spent the next 32 years as Professor of Music at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth where he conducted the Wesleyan Jazz Band and Wesleyan Wind Ensemble. He also played French horn in the Fort Worth Symphony, the FW Symphony Brass Quintet and Dallas Ballet for a number of years. At the high school and college level, he made a positive difference in countless numbers of students.

Stephen had a deep love for his family as well as golf, reading, playing bridge, music, entertaining, visiting with close friends, and photography. He traveled extensively throughout the southwestern US on photography ventures, attending seminars, and spending countless hours on Photoshop. He also loved spending summers at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin. Upon retirement, Stephen and Pam were able to spend Summer and Fall months at the cabin, appreciating the peace and serenity of nature in the woods along with all the birds and wildlife that included occasional visits by black bears.

Stephen is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, George and Lorraine Weyer, his parents Louis Ehrich and Maxine McDonald, and a grandson Tanner Hocum. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Pamela, son Benjamin, (Burleson, TX); daughter Shelley (Scott) Gilbertson, (Alexandria, MN); brothers Michael (Lynn) McDonald (Danbury, WI); Malcolm (Sue) McDonald (St. Paul and Tucson, AZ), and Brice (Leslie) Ehrich (Brooksville, FL). He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Tessa, Cameron, Lily, Emersyn and Benji.