Wallace J. Rave, 74, passed away on January 28, 2011, after a nine-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Born in 1936 in Mendota, IL to Dorothy and Elmer Rave. He grew up in Spring Valley, IL. Wally earned a Bachelor’s of Music from Illinois State Univ., a Masters and PhD in Music History and Philosophy from Univ. of Illinois. While teaching at the Univ. of Minnesota he received a Fulbright scholarship and studied in Paris, France the following year. Prof. Rave taught at Arizona State for 34years. Over those years, he wore many hats: teacher, adviser, Assistant Chairman, Acting Chairman, and author of many publications in music history and jazz. He also lectured at Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Opera pre-performance audience events. He was past president and board member of the Gold Canyon Arts Council and a board member of the Phoenix Chamber Music Society. He wrote music program notes for concerts as well as liner notes for CD and LP productions. He had a voracious appetite for learning and was an excellent writer. Wally loved nature, photography, good food and wine, traveling, golf and dogs. Family and friends were very important to him. Wally is survived by his wife, Karen, son David (Geri), daughter Barbara (Randy), granddaughter Erin, two brothers, their wives, and five nieces and nephews. Private family services will be held on February 19. A Celebration of Wally’s life will be held for family and friends on the same day at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a special scholarship fund in his memory. Write checks to: ASU School of Music, enter on Memo line: WALLY RAVE SCHOLARSHIP. Mail to: ASU School of Music, PO Box 870405, Tempe AZ 85287-0405
Wally was a real inspiration in my life. I’m very sad to learn of his death. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Wally and Karen are great people. Wally’s love of life was evident in every aspect of his life. I can still recall the constant twinkle in his eye at the mischief we used to create in the ‘Strutters tour when he and Karen were the faculty advisors on one leg of the tour. He always took time to know what was going on in your life, even if huge chunks of time had passed. Our deepest sympathy and love to his family. His spirit truly lives on in so many of us who had the honor of sharing a portion of our lives with him.
Wally was a great friend. For almost 20 years we were part of a cooking group with he and Karen. He also wrote the liner notes for two of my CDs. He taught me more about life, the University, learning, good wine, and great conversation than I can ever mention. I miss him already. He was always interested in life, learning, and living! We had dinner together as a group the Saturday night before he passed, and had a wonderful time. Thanks, Wally and Karen for being in our lives
A severe loss to the music community and his vast network of loyal friends.
He enriched so many lives.
Wally was a real inspiration in my life. I’m very sad to learn of his death. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Wally and Karen are great people. Wally’s love of life was evident in every aspect of his life. I can still recall the constant twinkle in his eye at the mischief we used to create in the ‘Strutters tour when he and Karen were the faculty advisors on one leg of the tour. He always took time to know what was going on in your life, even if huge chunks of time had passed. Our deepest sympathy and love to his family. His spirit truly lives on in so many of us who had the honor of sharing a portion of our lives with him.
Wally was a great friend. For almost 20 years we were part of a cooking group with he and Karen. He also wrote the liner notes for two of my CDs. He taught me more about life, the University, learning, good wine, and great conversation than I can ever mention. I miss him already. He was always interested in life, learning, and living! We had dinner together as a group the Saturday night before he passed, and had a wonderful time. Thanks, Wally and Karen for being in our lives
A severe loss to the music community and his vast network of loyal friends.
He enriched so many lives.