Mary Ann Koch – March 28th, 2025 – Trumpet
Mary Ann was employed at Nordic Global. She enjoyed music and doing crafts. Mary Ann was a member of St. James Catholic Church. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who treasured the time she spent with her family. The Koch family members played with the band for several years. She is pictured with her Husband Ray in the above picture.
Mary Ann Decker – December 31st 2022 – Clarinet
Mary Ann graduated in 1963 from the University of Evansville, where she was a former president of Phi Mu Sorority. She also received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, with emphasis on learning disabilities. As an educator, her philosophy was that no child cannot succeed and her life was dedicated to that principle. She was a childhood member of Methodist Temple and current member of Holy Rosary
Catholic Church, where she was a Lector and Eucharistic minister. Music and her dog were her passions. She played clarinet in the OId Dam Community Band in Newburgh
and in various ensembles at the University of Evansville. If it could be played on the clarinet or alto sax, she would play it. There are many students who are successful because of her; musicians who are loved because of her; and family who are loved because of her. She will be dearly missed. We know she will now be playing with a band that sounds perfect every time!
Phyllis A. Rosenbury – July 18, 2023 – Flute
Phyllis spent many memorable years living in Japan and Panama while working for the U.S. Government. Her lust of travel and culture led her around the world. While working in Panama, Phyllis became the first female signal operator for the Panama Canal. This historically had been a male operated position, however, if you knew Phyllis you knew she was never one to back down from a challenge. Along with travel, Phyllis loved music. She grew up writing her own violin sheet music and later turned this passion towards the flute. Music often filled her house, bringing those around her joy. Phyllis had a great personality and a great wit. She played in the Old Dam Band prior to moving to Louisville to be near family.
Roger Jarvis – December 7th, 2022 – Trombone
Roger graduated from Central High School in 1963. He earned his Bachelor’s degree
from University of Evansville in 1972 and Master’s degree in 1978. Roger served in the US Marine Corps for 15 years, serving also in the Indiana National Guard and Army Reserves. He worked for the Vanderburgh and Warrick county health departments, Jewett Davidson Heating and Air Conditioning and Auto Zone, but his most important job was as a stay at home dad raising his son Philip. Roger was a member of Christ Church UCC and American Legion Post 265. He played the trombone in the Old Dam
Community Band and Hadi Shrine Community Band.
Dave Emery – November 24, 2019 – Clarinet
Only band members who have been with us for more than ten years are likely to remember Dave Emery. Dave played clarinet with The Old Dam Community Band almost from the beginning when we were in the Old Lock & Dam Building on the Newburgh riverfront. He quit playing with the ODCB due to hearing problems around 2008 but continued to play with the ‘Little’ Old Dam Band until sometime in 2010 or 2011.
John W Sakel – June 6, 2017 – Trombone
John began playing with The Old Dam Community Band sometime around 2009 after he co-directed one of our concerts to celebrate all of the band directors who had taught at Castle High School. John taught music and also served as principle at Castle High School. John was also a treasured member in the Little Old Dam Band. He always had a smile on his face and would unfailingly ask about the other member’s families. He is sadly missed.
Nan Baum – May 2, 2017 – Flute
Nan was a graduate of Reitz High School class of 1955, attended Michigan State University and completed her Undergraduate and Master’s Degrees in Education at the University of Evansville. She taught for over 33 years in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Nan enjoyed teaching at Evans, Stringtown and Scott Elementary Schools. After she retired from the EVSC, she worked at Compass Financial Group. She was a lifelong flute player and played in the Evansville Philharmonic, Evansville Summer Pops Band (which was directed by her father, the late Harry Hart) and the Old Dam Community Band in Newburgh. Nan was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and loved spending time with two generations of grandchildren who lovingly called her “Nana”. Family meant everything to her. . She also enjoyed watching sports and was an avid fan of U of E and IU basketball.
Charlie Dewig – December 2, 2016 – Tuba/Trombone
Charlie was a fixture for many years in bands across the tri-state. A talented tuba and trombone player, Charlie was an early member of the Old Dam Band. He also played in the Hadi Shriner\’s Brass Band, the Evansville Symphonic Band, Silver Classics and various quintets. Charlie worked in the family business, Dewig Meats in Haubstadt and later was a concrete truck driver. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Mopar cars and parts. He was devoted to both his family and to his music.
Carl Becker – May 15, 2016 – Director/Trumpet/Horn
Carl honorably served in the United States Army and taught music in Northern Indiana, Mater Dei High School, Stell Jr. High School and Pace High School in Brownsville Texas. He organized and played in many bands and musical groups in Texas and Indiana including The Bend of the River Brass Band, Old Dam Band, Christian Fellowship Orchestra, Temple Aires, Martin King Orchestra, Zenergy Jazz Band, Brownsville High School Stage Band, and Brownsville Directors Dance Band. He enjoyed and lived music starting as a talented young trumpet player. When he was unable to continue playing trumpet, Carl switched to Horn and Percussion to continue playing in the Old Dam Band and the Bend in the River Brass Band. In addition to playing in the band, Carl directed the Band on occasion.
Elizabeth Emmert – April 13, 2015 – Clarinet
Elizabeth “Betty” left Vincennes Lincoln High School with a dream to be a music performance educator and attended Indiana State Teachers College, now Indiana State University. After graduation she left for her first teaching position at Clear Springs High School and soon after moved to Haubstadt, Ind. Music performance and love of her students would be the second most important thing in her life, trailing only behind her family.She served as a choir director at St. James Church in Haubstadt and at Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt, and Mater Dei High School in Evansville. She played her clarinet as an active member of the Old Dam Band, Vincennes City Band, and Wolfgang Orchestra. Her idea to start a Front Porch Polka Band during the Sommerfest has become part of the scene during the town’s June celebration and she loved to have her family and friends play with her. Elizabeth would raise five music educators of her own and six teachers total. Through them her impact would continue to grow and influence music throughout the state on Indiana and beyond.
Gerald Tenbarge – September 7, 2013 – Percussion
Jerry began playing percussion in the band several years prior to his death. He had played in the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the legendary Tommy Dorsey Band. He loved the snare drum and brought with him experience from his days playing with the military. Most Tuesday nights Gerry would bring his wife Shirley along to keep the beat with a tambourine.
Wayne Fiester – September 4, 2013 – Trombone
Wayne joined the band the first rehearsal and never looked back. He was a devoted member of both the Old Dam Band and the Little Old Dam Dixieland Band. He was a member of the band Board of Directors serving as Vice President. He loved to blow his horn.
Fred Hormuth – July 31, 2013 – Saxophone
Fred joined the band on a recommendation by his brother-in-law Bill Haas. He became a valued band member and assumed responsibility for buying and distributing band shirts.
Ray Arensman – June 28, 2013 – Trumpet
Ray was a true friend of the band. He was a generous contributor in time and donations. He loved music, was active in several bands and was the founder of the Temple Airs. When not playing in a concert, he and his wife were sitting in the audience listening.
Geneice Snow – June 25, 2013 – Flute/F Horn
Geneice loved to play music. She joined the band as a flute player but complications from an illness required amputation of her right hand and wrist. She was not daunted and switched to an instrument that could be played left handed – the French horn. Not an easy transition but it allowed her to continue playing with the band.
Jim Sermersheim – June 12, 2013 – Trumpet
Jim was a true musician with a flair for improvisation. He was a member of both the Old Dam Band and the Little Old Dam Dixieland Band. His musicianship was appreciated by all who heard him play.
Hugh Whittaker – April 14, 2013 – Euphonium
Hugh, a member of both the Old Dam Band and the Little Old Dam Dixieland Band was a friend to all. He loved playing and interacting with other band members. He was a true entertainer and shined during Little Old Dam Dixieland Band performances.
Al Barthlow – July 27, 2010 – Euphonium/Trombone
Al was a talented musician. He most recently played with the Owensboro Community Band, the Old Dam Band, Bend in the River Brass Band, Hadi Temple Brass Band, and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra 2nd Street Band. He also played with many top names while in New Orleans and other areas; including The Dukes of Dixieland, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Boots Randolph, and Harry Connick, Sr. He had a quick wit and his constant comments made band practice fun for those who sat near him.
