Decatur Municipal Band 1960's

Here is a collection of photos of the Decatur Municipal Band dating back to the 1960's.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MIKE ISENBERG

















Directed by Robert Kruzan:
(band director in the Decatur Public School District, including at MacArthur High School)




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Recent photos of the Decatur Municipal Band are HERE (Summer 2013 Concert)




Robert Kruzan obituary:

Robert I. Kruzan, of Decatur, Illinois, died May 17, 1997 at his residence. Mr. Kruzan was born in Warrensburg, Illinois, the son of John A. and Minnie B. (Berman) Kruzan. He was the brother of Josephine Major, of Ten Mile Lake.

Mr. Kruzan began working for the Decatur Public Schools in 1947 as Elementary and Junior High Band Director, and later served as Band Director at Johns Hill Junior High, MacArthur High School, and Harris Elementary School. He was a member and the Director of the Decatur Municipal Band, and the leader of the Bob Kruzan Orchestra from 1947 to 1967. He served as Secretary of the Noon Kiwanis Club, through which he developed a program to receive donated musical instruments, refurbish them, and make them available to low-income students in Decatur schools. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for over 65 years. He was also Hickory Point Township Assessor.

Mr. Kruzan was an alumnus (1943) of Millikin University, where he also received a Masters Degree and taught private music lessons. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and was a member of the 519-520 AAF Band.

Mr. Kruzan married Florence Weber in Pleasantville, New Jersey on December 2, 1945. He and his wife often visited Ten Mile Lake, staying with his sister or in a rented cabin. At one time they owned lots on the lake, but never developed them. He loved to read ("a family failing") and to play the piano for friends and relatives. He played the piano at Union Congregational Church in Hackensack on several occasions.

Mr. Kruzan is survived by his wife, Florence; son Erik Kruzan (Lori) of Maroa; daughters April (Alan) Coutant of Chillicothe, Illinois and Karla (Michael) Walker of Decatur; sisters Josephine Major of Hackensack and Bonnie Rester of Springfield, MO; a brother, David Kruzan of Dayton, HO; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister.




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