Condolence: Dear Mrs. Houghton,
I just learned of your husband's passing; I'm so sorry; I did not know Mr. Houghton from school or band but my parents and I attended many of your ice cream socials at your lovely 7th Ave. home along with your neighbors, Joe and Lida Hindley; this has brought back many special memories as I have recently lost both my parents, Arnold and Lois Larsen, who spent their entire life in Kenosha. I was also in your shorthand class. I am now married and living in Bend, Oregon. My sympathies to you and your family.

Condolence: Dear Houghtons, I was saddened by the news of Mr. Houghton's passing. It has been many years since seeing your family but the number of ways that Ralph had touched my life are great. Currently, I am still teaching music outside of Evansville, Indiana (Newburgh)and the learning experience of growing up in the Kenosha music scene will always be with me. From a beginner in Band-O-Rama, to Choir festivals, to student teaching while Ralph was Director of Music in Kenosha, to helping choreograph "Shows-a-poppin" at St. Marks, it was great working with him. Mr. Houghton was an awesome force for music education in Wisconsin and I am glad and proud to have known him. I am thankful that he helped to foster the great passion for music in my life. My sympathy and prayers are with your entire family. Sincerely, Melanie Hansen Champion

Condolence: Mary and family,

We are so sorry to hear about the recent passing of your father. If there is anything we can do, please feel free to ask.


Phyllis Metalo
Julie Pelkowski

Condolence: My deepest wishes for peace in your loss.

Condolence: In the movie, "Mr. Holland's Opus", a student who squeeked and squawked her way through trying to play her instrument, got through it with Mr. Holland's persistance,guidance, patience, love and teaching. He let her know that she could succeed. She later became Governor and at Mr. Holland's retirement said,"Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each one of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony, Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. And we are the music of your life." Mr. Houghton, the Kenosha music students of the past, present and future, are Your Symphony, we are Your Opus and we love you for all you have done for music in Kenosha and in our hearts.

Condolence: To Jane and the beautiful Houghton family:
We drove back from Hurley, WI and will be at the mass today. Our love and sympathy to you all. We remain forever inspired by Ralph and Jane Houghton.

Condolence: My deepest condolences to you. Mr Houghton (yes, that is how so many of us know him) affected more lives than you will ever know. Music is important to so many people who were students in Kenosha only because of the effort, commitment, and passion for music that Mr Houghton so enthusiastically and tirelessly shared with Kenosha. We were so fortunate to have him as a part of our community. I remember the Ice Cream Socials on your lawn, the piccolos standing during the Stars and Stripes Forever at Band-o-rama (what a great name, by the way!), the bandmembers standing so still during inspection at Round-Up, and all the summer bands that would march in the parades. This exposure to music at an early age was invaluable and got me going on a lifetime of music appreciation. What a tremendous legacy this man has left to generations of Kenoshans. He will be missed.

Condolence: With deepest sympathies to the Houghton Family,
The most vivid memories I have of my childhood are waking up on a summers morning to the distant sound of the Bradford drum line coming down 65th and turning on to 3 Ave. I would throw my clothes on quickly and race out to meet them as they got to Eichelman park. I would follow the band as far as my parents would allow, which was usually right about your house. I could still tell you what were my favorite pieces the band played, Latina was it? And could probably reenact most of the field drill Bradford performed at Round up. To this day I still love marching bands and I didn't even go to Bradford, I was at St. Joe's with the weakest band in history. I wasn't even in Mr Houghton's school district and yet he affected my life profoundly. We waited excitedly every summer for the ice cream social, what a wonderful way to bring the community together. Mr Houghton was an invaluable asset to Kenosha and an inspiration to all. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,


Annie Heller Wetherbee

Condolence: I was very surprised to hear of Ralph's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Houghton Family. I will never forget Ralph's zest for life, and I will never forget what my dad said about him. "He was the kind of boss who would not just give orders from the sidelines and watch everyone else work. He would take down the chairs after Band O Rama right next to the band directors."

Kenosha and the world of music education just lost an icon. We are all better off having known Ralph Houghton and his wonderful family.

Condolence: Dear Houghton Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy over the loss of your beloved Ralph. He touched my life through the orchestra program at K U S D. I will forever be grateful to Ralph for giving me the opportunity to receive violin lessons at school. I have enjoyed playing my violin for over 40 years and hope to continue for a long time to come!
Because of Ralph, I was able to give my love of music to my own children; two play the violin, and the third was in choir.
Because of Ralph, I was able to be a part of the Kenosha Orchestra Boosters Organization for 10 years, holding the positions of vice-president and president.
Because of Ralph, my life has been blessed. Thank you, Ralph! Your work will not be forgotten!

May God bless and comfort you,

Linda (Bashinsky) Ziesemer
Bradford Class of '76

(I have a feeling that somewhere in Heaven can be heard..."Hey, lets have a music festival...")