Henry Hussmann Ketterer, life-long music educator and student, died on Tuesday, June 1 surrounded by his family. Henry was the youngest child born to Mamie and Theodore Ketterer in Charleston, Missouri. He follows his siblings Joseph and Sister Beatrice Marie (Mary Helen) Ketterer, CPPS. He also joins his beloved daughter, Kathryn Rose Ketterer (1958-1987).
After enlisting in the Army Air Corp. in 1943, Henry attended The University of Notre Dame where he received his B.A. in Piano Performance followed by an M.A. in Music Education. It was in South Bend, Indiana where he met Joan E. Hoar in a summer theatrical group. They were married in the Sacred Heart Church in Our Lady’s Chapel on the Notre Dame campus on August 29, 1955. The following day, the newlyweds packed their belongings in a Plymouth sedan for Henry to accept a position as Band Director at Saint Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona.
What follows is a career that spanned more than thirty-five years educating young people in music at St. Agnes School, St. Mary’s High School, the Dysart School District, Luke Air Force Base, and the Creighton School District, where he retired in 1990.
After raising six children and educating thousands, Henry continued sharing his love for music by participating in numerous community bands and choir groups. Henry marched in the Fiesta Bowl Parade with the “Play it Again Band” since its inception as well as performed in the Phoenix College Jazz Band, Phoenix College Community Band, Scottsdale Community Band, the Trombone Choir, and the Glendale Summer Band. He also lent his bass voice to the Orpheus Male Chorus, Choralaires Men’s Chorus, Orpheus Emeritus, the Phoenix College Choir, and the church choirs of St. Thomas the Apostle and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Ketterer, as well as his children Mary Ketterer Segall (Howard Zipser), Ted Ketterer, Bob Ketterer (Lori), Peter Ketterer, and Eileen Ketterer Benedict. He was also “grandpa” to his six grandchildren Nick Segall, Joanie Segall, Kyle Ketterer, Aaron Benedict, Katy Ketterer, and William Henry Ketterer. The names of the lives he touched through his music are impossible to list. We will forever miss the leader of the band.
Visitation will be held between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, June 10 at Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Road, with The Rosary to occur at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 11 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4510 N 24th Street, with the burial to follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street. In lieu of flowers, please continue Henry’s tradition of donating to St. Vincent de Paul.
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Luann Verhelst
Henry and I taught music together at Loma Linda in the Creighton District.. He was the kindest man and a musician of the highest caliber. He taught me a lot about the profession of music education. It was an honor to work with Henry and a pleasure to have him as a friend. He made a difference in the lives of so many students and colleagues.
Candis Granieri Durham
Dearest Ketterer Family,
Our lives were first linked because of music… and what has followed is the love and laughter and sorrows that family and friends come to share over a lifetime.
Like our “Nana” I am sure he made a difference in the lives of so many.
Please accept my heartfelt condolence.
Candis Granieri Durham