PROFESSOR EMERITUS JOHN L. GATES

Professor Emeritus John Lawrence Gates, age 73, of Elkhart Lake, died at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, following a valiant three-year battle with cancer. He is now in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

John was born in La Crosse, Wis., on April 10, 1937, to the late George (Rusty) and Ragna (Larson) Gates.

Just two months ago, John was joyously united in marriage to his soulmate, Susan J. Sanville, on June 12, 2010, at their home in Elkhart Lake.

A native of La Crosse, Wis., Gates played trumpet in high school band, jazz ensemble, and the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. He performed in the University of Wisconsin-Madison bands and symphony orchestra as a brass major on trumpet, French horn, euphonium and bass trombone. He is remembered by his fellow musicians as one of the most versatile brass players they ever met.

Generously assisted with his college tuition by his dear Uncle Harry Gates, John received his bachelor of music in 1959 and a master’s degree in arranging and conducting from UW-Madison in 1961.

In addition, he accomplished extensive post-graduate work at the Madison campus. Gates conducted bands, orchestras, and jazz ensembles at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay for one year and at Beloit High School for five years.

In 1966, John accepted the position of assistant director of bands at the UW-Madison campus and in 1968 became the director of the famous University of Wisconsin Marching Band.

In addition to conducting, Gates taught arranging, orchestration, and advised graduate composition majors. Gates also served as a technology consultant and clinician in middle schools, high schools and colleges. He led MIDI-based curriculum seminars, served as a clinician, and conducted honors bands throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Tucson, Arizona, magnet schools.

Gates is a member of Phi Mu Alpha and is a past recipient of the Kaplan Excellence in Teaching Award.

John directed many local area bands and orchestras and in 1977 coordinated the creation of the Honors Band of the Central Lakeshore High School Conference of Wisconsin, a program that recognizes gifted upcoming musicians and still continues to this day. John spent nearly four decades of his career as music professor at UW-Sheboygan until his retirement due to illness in the fall of 2007.

John enjoyed inland lake sailing, the road racing at Road America, motorcycling, music (jazz in particular), reading, beautiful cars, the Wisconsin Badgers, his yearly ‘open house’ during the 4th of July parade down Lake Street, Shadow (his cat), and spending time with friends and family. John remembered fondly his years spent judging and directing drum and bugle corps.

He loved and supported Elkhart Lake, where he spent most of his adult life and served on the village board.

John had a kind and gentle soul and always put the needs of others before his own. He was loved by everyone who met him for his intelligence, wit, generosity, and sense of humor. All that knew him felt incredibly blessed to have John in their lives.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Susan; stepson, Tom Abromaitis; brothers-in-law, Tom (Lone) Sanville and Ed Sanville; sister-in-law Kathy (Scott) Hilpertshauser; special nephew, Sam Hilpertshauser; Susan’s father Leon (Dot) Sanville; Susan’s uncle (and John’s best man) Fred Weber.

John is also survived by his Aunt Irene Gallatin of Janesville, his Aunt Doris Lium of Westby, his Uncle Morris Blihovde of Cashton, and numerous cousins – especially his beloved Mary Furman of Springdale, Ark., and Gary Blihovde of Janesville.

John’s circle of friends was vast, and many of them became as family to him. His wife would like to recognize his beloved friends Bert and Teddie Sadock, Larry Jr. and Jan Bray, Larry Sr. and Lynn Bray, Lee Verhulst, and Paul Sucherman – all of Elkhart Lake. David Seiler of Durham, N.H., was like a brother to John. John had also had the joy of recently renewing deep friendships forged in college with Jan Swenson of Arena; and his mentor, the great Bobby Lewis of Chicago, Ill., who so kindly blessed all of us with his music at John and Susan’s June wedding.

A funeral service for John will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Novak-Ramm-Ziegler Funeral Home, 1535 South 12th St., Sheboygan, with the Reverend Michael Brecke officiating.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening, Aug. 27, from 5-8 pm. A time of gathering will also be held on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery North in Elkhart Lake.

A memorial fund has been established in John’s name.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.novakrammziegler.com.

John’s family would like to thank the staff at Matthews’ Oncology, especially his beloved nurse “Annie,” for their years of constant love and support. They also would like to thank the hospice nurses that cared so kindly for him during his last days, St. Nicholas Hospital’s ICU nurse, Hazel; John’s “A-Team” coach, Bill Skrube of Sheboygan; Dr. Patricia Horn of Milwaukee; and Sara Franzen of St. Cloud – John’s personal masseuse, whose gentle touch made all the difference in the world.