Tree planting honors Pancoast
An alumnus who lovingly kept the Heidelberg Music Department and its students close to his heart throughout his lifetime, paving the way for many students to complete degrees, was honored during Alumni Weekend June 20 with the annual planting of a tree to honor all alums who passed away in the previous year.
Reginald Pancoast, class of ’36, would have been “delighted, pleased and proud” to be recognized, said his wife, Enid, ’44.
The university planted a red birch tree in front of Brenneman Music Hall as part of Alumni Weekend festivities. The Alumni Tree Planting program has been endowed by Dr. Ronald Stuckey, ’60, who was in attendance on Saturday. To date, 13 trees have been planted in various campus locations to honor deceased alumni.
During the dedication ceremony, K.J. Montgomery, class of ’74, and one of “Reg’s kids,” spoke fondly of the mark he left on her life as a student and beyond.
“When we came to Heidelberg, there was something about all of us that this university – sort of – saved us. We were young, naïve, open to learning, but we needed a family,” Montgomery, a municipal court judge in Shaker Heights, Ohio, recalled. “Dr. (Ferris) and Mrs. (Dorothy) Ohl were our family, shepherding us and keeping us on the straight and narrow.
“But once in a while, we needed to have some fun, and who would show up but Uncle Reg. Sometimes he would cut a rug. He could jitterbug like no other. They were our family away from home.”
Pancoast meant so much to Montgomery that she chose him to walk her down the aisle. “Uncle Reg loved this institution. He loved the drummers and the jazz players. He loved all the musicians,” she said. “Through that love, he helped many, many people come to this school. Once we got here, he kept us having fun.”
“He is here today watching every one of us and loving every one of us.”
She concluded: “I hope there is an Uncle Reg and Aunt Enid in every one of our lives and in the lives of each of our students, because they are invaluable.”
Posted June 24, 2009