Edwin Mlekush
A few weeks ago, I ordered a $6.98 used copy of a book called Music in the Baroque Era (1947) by Manfred F. Bukofzer. It arrived today, ice cold, with copious notes scribbled in the margins. Inside the front and back covers, the original owner had signed his name, Edwin Mlekush, with striking handwriting:
His name was unique so I Googled it and found an obituary from 2002, which I've included below. WWII army vet, teacher, wilderness lover, classical music enthusiast, violinist, pianist, singer, devoted husband and family man, Edwin Mlekush also possessed cartooning abilities, examples of which appeared on pages 19, 95, and 117. You can see them after the obit.
EDWIN MLEKUSH
Edwin Mlekush, born in Red Lodge on April 12, 1917, passed away at Village Health Care Center in Missoula of natural causes on July 13. His beloved wife of 52 years, Florence, continues to be cared for at the same fine facility. For much of their married life, they enjoyed a cozy home in Frenchtown close to nature; being close to Montana's mountains and clear water trout streams was a priority for Ed. He climbed Mt. Maurice numerous times in his youth just for fun and exercise. When asked recently by a nephew where he began his ascents, he responded with Jack Benny timing and a twinkle in his eye: "Well, at the bottom".
The son of Slovenian immigrants, Anton and Josephine Mlekush, Ed attended Red Lodge schools, and graduated from Carbon County High in 1935. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific (New Guinea). After serving his country, he focused on art and music in obtaining a B.A. degree in Chicago, and later attained a Master's degree in English at the University of Montana. He subsequently taught English and music at high schools in Montana (including Roberts), California, and Germany.
Together with his wife, also a career teacher, they formed a duo dedicated to being life long learners. They complemented one another. When Florence got a personalized license plate that stated "Just Be", Ed followed suit by acquiring "Be Just".
Ed's love of music manifested in many ways, one being an immense collection of classical music albums. He sang in a men's choral group, Missoula's Mendelssohn Club, which did performance tours in Europe. When he lived and taught in the Red Lodge area, he participated in the Tamburitzan band during the Festival of Nations.
Although the violin was his first instrument, Ed pursued piano study late in life. He inspired family, friends and students to pursue music study and enjoyment as well.
Ed possessed a special talent for art in general, and cartooning in particular. His unique Christmas card creations will be missed by his family, and so will be the special sense of humor that created those cards.
He was ever looking for and creating humor even though he viewed social, political and environmental issues with a concerned and serious eye. He remained vital and engaged in the world well into his retirement years, actively supporting organizations that work to protect individual freedoms and the environment, as well as those which support music and the fine arts. He will be missed by many friends and his family.
Ed was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister, Gilda Klarich, mother of Ed's nephews Duane (Kalispell), Dave (Elizabeth; Billings) and Dean (Julie; Billings). He is survived by his wife Florence, step-daughters Jean Gray and April Gray, along with her husband Dana Smitt (McCloud,CA), Grandson Ewan Willey (Oakland, CA), and Grandson Adrian Willey (Berkley, CA), Great niece Mia Keller (Rocky; Kalispell), Great nephew Steven Klarich (Colleen; Renton, WA) and Great niece Carissa Klarich (Walla Walla, Wash.).
Cremation has occurred, and a gathering of family and friends will remember Ed on Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Jeanne and George Lewis. The family suggests memorials be made to Common Cause or The Montana Wilderness Association.
His name was unique so I Googled it and found an obituary from 2002, which I've included below. WWII army vet, teacher, wilderness lover, classical music enthusiast, violinist, pianist, singer, devoted husband and family man, Edwin Mlekush also possessed cartooning abilities, examples of which appeared on pages 19, 95, and 117. You can see them after the obit.
EDWIN MLEKUSH
Edwin Mlekush, born in Red Lodge on April 12, 1917, passed away at Village Health Care Center in Missoula of natural causes on July 13. His beloved wife of 52 years, Florence, continues to be cared for at the same fine facility. For much of their married life, they enjoyed a cozy home in Frenchtown close to nature; being close to Montana's mountains and clear water trout streams was a priority for Ed. He climbed Mt. Maurice numerous times in his youth just for fun and exercise. When asked recently by a nephew where he began his ascents, he responded with Jack Benny timing and a twinkle in his eye: "Well, at the bottom".
The son of Slovenian immigrants, Anton and Josephine Mlekush, Ed attended Red Lodge schools, and graduated from Carbon County High in 1935. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific (New Guinea). After serving his country, he focused on art and music in obtaining a B.A. degree in Chicago, and later attained a Master's degree in English at the University of Montana. He subsequently taught English and music at high schools in Montana (including Roberts), California, and Germany.
Together with his wife, also a career teacher, they formed a duo dedicated to being life long learners. They complemented one another. When Florence got a personalized license plate that stated "Just Be", Ed followed suit by acquiring "Be Just".
Ed's love of music manifested in many ways, one being an immense collection of classical music albums. He sang in a men's choral group, Missoula's Mendelssohn Club, which did performance tours in Europe. When he lived and taught in the Red Lodge area, he participated in the Tamburitzan band during the Festival of Nations.
Although the violin was his first instrument, Ed pursued piano study late in life. He inspired family, friends and students to pursue music study and enjoyment as well.
Ed possessed a special talent for art in general, and cartooning in particular. His unique Christmas card creations will be missed by his family, and so will be the special sense of humor that created those cards.
He was ever looking for and creating humor even though he viewed social, political and environmental issues with a concerned and serious eye. He remained vital and engaged in the world well into his retirement years, actively supporting organizations that work to protect individual freedoms and the environment, as well as those which support music and the fine arts. He will be missed by many friends and his family.
Ed was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister, Gilda Klarich, mother of Ed's nephews Duane (Kalispell), Dave (Elizabeth; Billings) and Dean (Julie; Billings). He is survived by his wife Florence, step-daughters Jean Gray and April Gray, along with her husband Dana Smitt (McCloud,CA), Grandson Ewan Willey (Oakland, CA), and Grandson Adrian Willey (Berkley, CA), Great niece Mia Keller (Rocky; Kalispell), Great nephew Steven Klarich (Colleen; Renton, WA) and Great niece Carissa Klarich (Walla Walla, Wash.).
Cremation has occurred, and a gathering of family and friends will remember Ed on Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Jeanne and George Lewis. The family suggests memorials be made to Common Cause or The Montana Wilderness Association.
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