I first met Larry at a B/O Festival in early 2001. He was the recording adjudicator at this particular site and I happened to be sitting close enough to hear the comments he was making to the group performing on stage. He was encouraging, affirming, and teaching all at the same time! I contacted him shortly after that to invite him to my school to provide some coaching to my students. They LOVED him !!
Larry was truly the epitomization of a "gentle man". A consummate encourager, teacher, and friend. He will be sorely missed.

I have fond memories of Larry from our years in Ann Arbor. My deepest condolences to Pru and all of his family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing to all. 

-ETM


Larry Dittmar was a drum major for music in all its forms during his lifetime.  I worked with him at Clague Middle School where he was a trusted colleague sharing many of the same students.  His low-key manner masked a wry sense of humor and a deep commitment to kids and to music which he combined in his work with orchestras both at Clague and Huron. His most amazing  contribution (in my mind) came in retirement as he headed a commitment to provide instruments and music to schools in Kenya.  I recall a conversation with him after he retired and learning from him what he was accomplishing - amazing and admirable. No easy chair for him, but a continuing effort to bring about the rewards of music-making in a place remote to most Americans.  He was a true gentleman in manner and personality and I'm grateful to have known him.

Rusty Towers
Clague Middle School 1972-1999 

Dear Prudy and Boys:

I am so sorry to learn of Larry’s passing.  He was truly a man of quality and will be sorely missed. 

Whether he was teaching, conducting, directing Intermediate and all-state boys at Interlochen, mentoring others, or just standing around talking; Larry was giving. 

So many of us benefited from his council, encouragement, commitment to music, and concern for others. I cannot imagine my career, especially the years at Interlochen, without his friendship and support. 

Love and prayers to you all,

John Jacobson

Mr. Dittmar was an amazing orchestra director. I was his student at Huron High school and enjoyed traveling to Carnegie Hall where we played Carmina Burana with our choir. I also loved the musicals that he directed while I was at Huron-South Pacific and Brigadoon.  He always brought the best out of his students and made us want to better ourselves. I think he had a perfect metronome in his head as I remember lessons where he counted seconds in perfect time. Sending my condolences to his family and friends. 💜

Prudy, you and your family have my heart felt sympathy.  I know this time can be difficult and my thoughts and prayers are with you.


Condolences to the family of Larry Dittmar. 

First of all, I want to express my deepest condolences to Prudy and the family.

I first met Larry a little over 45 years ago when I was subbing in the Ann Arbor Schools after graduating from MSU.   We got to know each other and he invited me to work at Interlochen that summer.  I took him up on the offer and worked as a cabin counselor.  As the years moved on,   we kept running into each other at MSBOA events, music conferences, etc. , and remained good friends.  

After he started the Kenya music program, he encouraged me often to go there and work with the students.  I finally did and it was life changing for me.  In fact, it has become my passion in retirement.  I make the trip over every  year to work with the young and enthusiastic Kenyan music students.  Also I have made good Kenyan  friends and always look forward to seeing them.  My trip over this year will definitely be a tribute to Larry’s spirit.

Larry is an important and consequential person in my life and I’m so glad our paths crossed so many times in the last 45 years!  RIP, Maestro!

When I arrived at Interlochen, I met Larry, as both of us were Waterfront Directors (Larry HS All-State ;I, High School. Larry was also involved with Interlochen music.  I taught swimming, boating, chaperoned early morning camper fishing, and also Biology exploring for campers..  Our duties were the same on the waterfronts.  Larry and his young wife Prudy,  lived in their cabin, and I cabin lived with my campers.  Our families lived in the same Ann Arbor subdivision, years later. We bumped into each other at antique, and estate sales, and other events. Dittmar sons and our son were in the same cub scout troop (taught lessons to the cubs).  We saw Larry conduct performances.  Two Christmases(2000) ago, I made a card of the closing Interlochen performance of Franz Liszt's, Les Preludes (A New Beginning); Larry chose to hear Les Preludes one last time in passing....with his dog Gabby by his side; Our cat, Gabby' died 08/03/21, age 20.  Amazing Coincidences.  Larry leaves fond memories, and was a quiet, 'beautiful' fine man.  Linda and John Petrie

Larry came into my life in the mid 60's as young teachers.  Over the years our paths have crossed  many, many times. From the MSBOA Music Education Committee,  Adjudication panels, both district & state, sharing a ride to Marquette.  There were many more too numerous to share. However, the most memorable was our trip to MERU, NAIROBI.  What an experience for me, and to see the master at work as teacher, administrator, counselor, and most of all a gentleman.  RIP, LARRY.  Your presence will be greatly missed. 


Prudy and family and all of his music students,  Such a loss but so many lives enriched during his life journey.  I am a parent who is forever grateful for his kindness and support to our son Andrew who found his way in music  at Huron orchestra and beyond with "Mr Dittmar's" tutlage.  He knew how to touch each student to bring out their best.  May you be comforted by all the beautiful memories that you have from life with him.  Blessings and peace  

Orchestra was by far my favorite class in high school, and of course Mr. Dittmar was instrumental in making it so. (Apologies, couldn't resist.)  As a double bassist playing the HS repertoire, I practiced far too little, but loved the music and his orchestra from day one, and went on to pursue it as a vocation. I have nothing but fond memories of him and the environment he created for his students. I feel lucky and blessed to have benefited from his influence at such a decisive time in my life, and am very sad to hear of his passing. 

My deepest sympathies to the Dittmar family.  I had the opportunity to work with Larry for a short time early in my career.  While I only saw Larry at an occasional music conference in Chicago or Grand Rapids after that time, the impact that he made on me both personally and professionally has been profound.  Despite his status and achievements in the music world, he remained sincere, connected, humble, and a true gentleman.  Larry was a real treasure, and will be greatly missed.

I haven't played bass in years, nor any instrument. But I always remember playing for Mr. Dittmar. I would always play the same song in my chair auditions, and I never practiced, always landing last chair. But he is my Mr. Holland, he was a great teacher, and the only reason I continued as long as I did was because I had him as my conductor. I almost quit a year earlier when there was a moment that I heard he wouldn't be conducting, I only continued when I knew he was.

I have two distinct memories from my time in his orchestra. First, some girl said something to me in class and he made a joke about me having to beat them off with a stick. Second, was when he told me that he could always tell when I was the one screwing up, it was the rests. But when the bass had a strong fast part, I was golden. Just not enough attention for the rests.

The world has lost an incredible, inspirational, and wonderful educator and 23 years later, I always remember him fondly.

I was not a good student. When I saw Larry at Interlochen, over ten years after playing in his orchestra at Huron, I apologized for never practicing enough and always talking too much  in orchestra. As always, he was kind and light-hearted. I hope I went on to tell him how much I appreciated him, and that he inspired me to work harder and continue in music. With gratitude, respect, and love to your family,  Thank you, Mr. Dittmar.
Johanna Beaver 

Prudy...very sorry for your loss, as we thought so much of Larry.

---Jerry Parker/Holly Craig (Tucson AZ)

Mr. Dittmar was my orchestra teacher many moons ago.  He was one of the kindest, most gentle educators to impact me greatly.  While I was quite a terrible violinist, he never made me feel like that.  Instead, when I quit in High School, he encouraged me to come back.  He cared about all of us and was a wonderful human.  I am a teacher myself now, and I try to carry that same genuine kindness Mr. Dittmar expressed to me, towards mine.  My deepest condolences to the family and friends of a wonderful man.

The music education profession has lost a giant and one of its greatest gentlemen. It was my privilege to get to know Larry in the late 1990s when I began teaching in Dexter and he was at Huron High School. I looked forward to every opportunity I had to spend time with him, and I always learned so much  whenever we had the chance to "talk shop." When Larry first began his work in Kenya, we were able to donate our old set of Dexter tuxedo jackets. I still have the photos he gave me of his mission kids proudly wearing those jackets. When Larry told me the story of how meaningful the donation had been to them, his eyes gleamed and his smile was broad. He was one of the most kind and caring men I have known. His family will certainly be in prayers.

I knew Larry from his years at Clague Middle School.  He was a gentle, intelligent man who was loved and respected by his colleagues and his students.  It's wonderful to think of all of the lives that he touched.   I feel fortunate to have known him.



Larry was a wonderful colleague and a true gentleman to everyone. His work in Africa after his retirement was further evidence of his generosity of spirit and kind heart.  I will miss him.  My thoughts are with his wife Prudy and his sons.



Larry was a fine teacher, musician, adjudicator, and advocate for music education during his long and distinguished career. Not only did I have the pleasure of serving with him on numerous adjudication panels, but also worked with him as we established the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids starting in 2005. We have lost a strong voice for music education, a strong advocate for student involvement, and a shining example of humanity. Rest in peace, Mr. D.

When I was a young All-State camper at Interlochen, Mr. Ditttmar had some words for a few of us about respecting our counselors better! We did!
Decades later, Larry was a frequent, and favorite, adjudicator for our ensembles in Midland. He always, graciously, made time for me. Whether to stop and say hello when I bumped into him at various music conferences or when I asked him to listen to one of our recordings.  
It always felt great to earn a compliment from him. My favorite recorded comments were "We're having a musical moment!" with his voice slowing and ascending dramatically to add emphasis and "My college advisor was in Sousa's band, I think he would like the way you are doing this." I will miss you, Mr. Dittmar.

I met Larry in the 4th grade and we’ve been fast friends for 76 years playing in the junior and senior high bands together. We went off to separate colleges to continue our music studies then returned to the Wayne schools to teach. Larry was a man of many talents as I’ve seen him conduct a 60 piece orchestra with precision and zest, and I’ve seen him mesmerize 100 high school kids with his humorous stories and silly songs at a band camp bonfire. I’ve admired his strength of character and commitment to his family and students. I miss you old friend. David Wickham

Sorry for families loss. Connection knowing him as one of the longest standing adjudicator for MSBOA. Before that, I knew him from my parents conversations how my mother & Larry played in the same high school band. My grandparents knew the Dittmars & were highly regarded in the community.  "The power of music".  R.I.P. Larry. You will be missed.

OBITUARIO

Larry Edward Dittmar

22 mayo, 1937 – 8 marzo, 2022

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios