In memoriam

From the Kiltie website:

Kiltie mellophone player Joel "Lothar" Magnuson, collapsed in the early moments of the prelims performance at the DCA Senior Drum and Bugle Corps Championships in Scranton, Penn., on Saturday evening, September 3, 2005. He was taken by ambulance from the stadium.

The Kilties reluctantly re-started their performance, this time - "for Lothar." Afterwards, as the Kilties left the group-photo bleachers, they were told that Joel had passed away. Outside the stadium, Joel's horn was placed at the center of a circle of all the members, and the corps song, "Auld Lang Syne" was played for his memory.

At DCA Finals Sunday night, the stadium included banners in memory of the fallen Kiltie, and members of many finalist corps performed with either plaid armbands or plaid ribbons on their uniforms.

Joel was a founding member of the senior edition of the Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corps, marching every season from 1993 to 2005. He also marched in the junior Kilties and Blue Stars as a youth.

We will remember Joel "Lothar" Magnuson for his heart of gold, thunderous laugh, soaring playing, love for his fellow Kiltie brothers and sisters, and all things good in life.

Arrangements are still pending. I still can't even begin to think of a Drum Corps season without the jovial and much loved 'Lothar' out on the field.

Flash

UPDATE: I am getting many hits via search engines looking for more information on Lothar, so here are some links to other discussion forums remembering this great Drum Corps icon.

Drum Corps Planet: The passing of a Kiltie
Drum Corps Planet: ....on behalf of The Kilties.
Blue Stars Discussion Forum: Blue Star Alum And Kiltie Member, passed away tonight

A post from one of these forums remembers :

There was a conversation about the merits of British Brass Bands and a particular piece of music the corps was playing that year. The pro BBB guy kept going on the British this, the British that.

Lothar's response:
"Yeah, well, ya know, It's also well known that 10 million Englishmen think Slim Whittman was a musical genius"

End of debate, game set, and match to Lothar.

I miss him already!

UPDATE II:From the Kiltie Corps Director:

The Kilties are setting up a Joel Magnuson Memorial Fund. Knowing Joel's determination and dream to help the less potentially advantaged youth in experiencing drum corps, musicianship and performing on a local level, carrying his dream forth is a priority.

Joel desired local youngsters, no matter of race, creed or financial challenges to experience the activity. This would be an age group not normally eligible to yet perform in any division.

With that in mind, any contributions would begin to get his dream off the ground, and can be submitted through our general PayPal account located HERE, or by forwarding something via US mail to:

Kilties/Joel Magnuson Memorial Fund
PO Box 085235
Racine, WI 53408.

UPDATE III: Obit:

Joel H. "Lothar" Magnuson

RACINE - Joel H. 'Lothar' Magnuson, 44, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 3, 2005, while performing with the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps in Scranton, Pa. Joel was born in Racine May 12, 1961, son of Howard J. and Charlotte A. (nee: Bubloni) Magnuson. Joel was a graduate of Lake Geneva High School "Class of 1979" and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He was a proud charter member of the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Senior Corps. Joel also was instrumental in instructing the Racine Junior Scout Drum and Bugle Corps. He was last employed as Chef and Kitchen Manager at Amelia's in Milwaukee for many years. Joel will be deeply missed for his kindness and good nature.

Survivors include his father, Howard J. Magnuson of Boca Raton, Fla.; his sister, Jennifer (Jorma) Louko of Nottingham, England; his brother, Christopher Magnuson of Milwaukee; his grandmother, Violet Lindholm of Loretto, Mich.; his uncle and aunt, Don and Vicki Magnuson of Racine; other relatives and dear friends including his Kiltie family and his cat, Attitude. He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte in 1998; and his grandparents, Iver and Elsie Magnuson and George Bubloni.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 10, 2005, 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Richard Molter officiating. Interment will be held in Norway, Mich. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main Street 634-7888

Published in the Racine Journal Times on 9/7/2005.

UPDATE IV: JC's review post.