NorthWinds Members In Memoriam…

Timothy Earl Osburn

Tim Osburn passed away on March 19, 2021. He was born and raised in the Northland and resided in Parkville at the time of death. Tim was a communications technician at AT&T before retiring in January, 2009, and retirement was a substitute teacher in the Park Hill school district. An avid bicyclist, he put in thousands of miles, making many cross-state rides and tours. As a classically trained percussionist, Tim received a bachelors degree in music education from the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in 1975. In addition to playing in the NorthWinds Symphonic Band, he played with the Liberty Symphony and Parkville Symphonic Band for a number of years, and with the Blues Notions and Lonesome Hank and the Heartaches. Tim’s untimely passing was a shock to all NorthWinds members; his talents and most importantly his friendship is missed by all.

Danny James Watring

Beloved NorthWinds co-conductor Danny Watring passed away on May 24th, 2020. Danny was born and raised in Sedalia, MO, where he attended Smith-Cotton High School. He earned a BA in Music Education at the University of Central Missouri, followed by a Master’s in Educational Technology from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Second to his family, Danny’s greatest passion in life was music. For 30 years Danny worked as band director and music instructor at Liberty, Oak Park, and Grandview High Schools, in addition to working with students at Grandview Middle School. His marching bands, concert bands, and jazz bands regularly received superior ratings at District/State Music Evaluative Music Festivals, MOAJE sanctioned Jazz Festivals, and area marching band competitions. Danny also taught as an instructor of Jazz at Penn Valley Community College and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Northwestern Missouri State University. He dedicated many years of his life to service to music education, serving as All-State adjudicator for eleven years as well as multiple area High School activities committees. Danny received the 2020 MOAJE Outstanding Jazz Educators Award, and was inducted into the Smith-Cotton Hall of Fame. When Danny was not teaching or playing music (a rarity) he could still be found serving the people of the Kansas City area in his capacity as a golf coach. He was a skilled golfer, winning something at nearly every tournament in which he competed. Danny will be deeply missed by all of us whose lives he touched.

Danny was a beloved father, partner, brother, teacher, friend, and inspiration to hundreds of students. He is survived by his two daughters, Devan Watring and Madison Fritts (née Watring), and his sister Marsha Hawkins. Danny also leaves behind his love Sarah Ehlers, Sarah’s daughter Carly Ehlers, and innumerable friends.

Aaron Ahles-Iverson

Aaron Peter Ahles-Iverson, passed away on Friday July 13, 2018.  A instrumental music education graduate from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, Aaron was very active in many of the music programs there.  This includes Symphonic Winds, the Jazz Band, Orchestra and Chamber ensemble, and was an active member of the Nu Gamma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national music fraternity.  Upon graduating, he served as director of bands at Chilicothe, Missouri for two years, and was a long time member of the St. Joseph Symphony as a bassoonist.  And for a good number of years, was a member of NorthWinds and the Cameron Municipal Band, with a talent of being able to pick up almost any wind instrument and play at a performance level.  After our 2016 - 2017 performance season, Aaron stepped away from the ensemble to focus more time on other activities, and his death came as a shock to many in the music community.  We offer our condolences to the Ahles-Iverson family for the tragic loss of Aaron, as well as the tragic loss of his younger brother, Benjamin, just months prior.

Barbara R. Hale

Barbara Hale, longtime music educator in the North Kansas City District School System, passed away in May, 2013.  She leaves a legacy of success as a conductor of the Oak Park High School Orchestra, as well as many successful music students who have become music educators themselves.  She served frequently as a district and state music festival adjudicator over the years and enjoyed a reputation as a gifted private flute instructor.  A graduate of Central Missouri State (now the University of Central Missouri) earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  She began her career as the music instructor in Stewartsville, MO.,  before coming to the North Kansas City school district as the band and orchestra instructor at Maple Park Junior HS/Middle School from 1964 to 1981.  In 1981, she was appointed the director of Orchestras at Oak Park High School.  Her reputation for excellence was recognized by an invitation to appear at the Missouri Music Educator’s Convention.   Her students consistently earned  I ratings at the District and State Music festivals for solo/ensemble performance as well for the Oak Park Symphonic Orchestra over the years.  She caped her career as the District Instrumental Music Coordinator, retiring in 1993.

Tera Williams

November 22, 1959 - August 11, 2012

The Park Hill School District was blessed to acquire Tera’s talent in 1984 first teaching at Southeast Elementary and then retiring from English Landing in 2010. She was nominated for teacher of the year award by the Park Hill School District. 

Tera’s dedication to teaching music is credited with sparking the professional music career of several acclaimed musicians. Many former students travel the world sharing their gifts that Tera first saw in them when they were elementary student.

Don Groenenboom

June, 1953 - September, 2006

In Don's memory, memorial donations may be made to the Don Groenenboom Musical Scholarship Fund at North-Platte High School or to the Kansas City Hospice House.

Don Groenenboom, who plays euphonium in the Northwinds Symphonic Band, passed away september 1st.  Don was the former band director at North Platte High School in Dearborn, Missouri for six years. He retired in 2004. Don was a wonderful player, a respected teacher, and a great friend to us. All of us in Northwinds will miss him greatly.