Kenneth Ray Rumery

December 19, 1933 - May 17, 2016

Kenneth Ray Rumery was born December 19,1933 in Omaha, Nebraska to George Ray and Ethel Billings Rumery. After completing both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music at the University of Nebraska, he received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado in 1971. He joined the Music Department of Northern Arizona University in 1971, from which he retired in 1999.

Ken Rumery was a consummate musician. He was principal French horn in the Flagstaff Symphony for 11 years, and was a member of the Arizona Woodwind Quintet, an ensemble of state musicians which performed at the Kennedy Center's celebration of the American Revolution Bicentennial.

Ken was an advocate of the integration of music and the arts. Two of his works, "Landscapes," and "Vistas: A Choral Triptych," were collaborations with Sedona artist Cynthia Bennett, whose grandiose paintings of the Grand Canyon gave incentive to music/art fusion.

Ken was an innovative and farsighted teacher. His research dealt with ways to open job opportunities for music majors beyond teaching and performing. His published Textbook, Introduction to Musical Design, uniquely integrated traditional music theory with performance practices. He was a pioneer in computer use and technology. He created and directed the NAU Office of Arts and Communication Studies from 1992-1996, and established the NAU Arts Technology Center (CMC) in 1994. In recognition of his compositions, horn performances, and application of computers to musical instruction, he was named Faculty Artist of the Year by the NAU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi in 1986. He received the Golden Key National Honor Society award for faculty achievement in 1993.

Ken was a Renaissance man. He enjoyed animated discussion, reading science fiction as well as scientific journals, collecting and repairing antique lanterns, and doing genealogy. He could see the humor in any situation. He was always available to help others. He will be missed by all who loved him, and whose lives were impacted by him.

Dr. Rumery is survived by his wife of 46 years, Leanne Rumery of Flagstaff, sons David of Flagstaff and Kevin of Denver, Colorado, daughter Gayle Rumery-Haar of Grand Island, Nebraska, grandchildren Josh and Beth Keller. He was preceded in death by his son Craig, brother Robert, and grandson Tyler Rumery.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 17 at 10:30 am at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 423 N. Beaver, Flagstaff. A private committal will be at Citizens Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that any donations in Dr. Rumery's name be made to the organ fund at Epiphany Church.