Amy Laurel Rucker

August 28, 1962 – September 15, 2022

Amy Laurel Spires Rucker was welcomed into the presence of the Lord on September 15, 2022. Amy lived as a faithful follower of God, devoted wife, and loving mother of two. She was born on August 28, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio, to Jody and Krell Spires. With her older sister Jenie, and her two older brothers, Ken and Brian, she spent her formative years in a house her parents had built on the quiet, wooded Colonial Lane in Washington Township, OH.

Amy was a talented musician, studying piano, flute, French horn, and music education. She graduated from The Ohio State University with Bachelor in Piano Performance and Bachelor in Music Education degrees. She played French horn in the symphonic band, was the accompanist for The Ohio State University Chorus, and often accompanied other musicians for lessons and recitals.

Amy earned a Master in Piano Pedagogy degree from Southern Methodist University. She joined the faculty of the Piano Preparatory Department at SMU where she taught all levels of piano, class piano, and became supervisor to graduate pedagogy students. She published articles in Keyboard Companion and Musikgarten Messenger. Amy established the Musikgarten Early Childhood and Family Music Program at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, which flourishes to this day. She taught ages birth through senior adults, specializing in teacher training, for which she traveled and gave presentations during the summer. She presented for the Texas Music Teachers Association, Ohio Music Educators Association, Choristers Guild, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Musikgarten Festivals, universities, and conferences. Upon moving to Pittsburgh, she joined the music faculty of Duquesne University.

She was modest about her achievements as humility was a constituent element of her character. Her passions lay with developing lifelong music lovers in every child she met. She served as President of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association where she inaugurated the first edition of the academic publication International Journal for Music in Early Childhood. Regularly training teachers in the United States and Canada, she enjoyed over 30 years of teaching voice, French horn, piano, K-8 music and choir in schools, and accompanying high school choirs. She maintained her own Musikgarten studio, directed church music programs, and music-directed locally produced Broadway musicals. Amy was a lifelong and enthusiastic chorister, whether singing in church or in concert halls. She was a prolific and inexhaustible accompanist, regarded as one of the finest collaborative pianists. Amy was preparing to assume the role of Principal Accompanist for the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Youth and Children’s Choirs.

Amy met the love of her life, Rob, at The Ohio State University in the winter of 1983, and it was love at first sight. Amy and Rob were engaged on December 31, 1985, and married July 26,

1986. They welcomed their first child, Elise, on October 1, 1996, and their son, Benjamin, on October 31, 1999. Like many parents, they could not be prouder of their two wonderful children. Amy and Rob were inseparable as music collaborators, leading and participating in countless musical projects including national and international choir tours, and thousands of church services and concerts.

Amy was a reverent woman, loving the Lord and following Him in all things. Her children were her greatest focus in life, gladly setting aside career opportunities for the love of her daughter and son. She was the source of endless wit, a wonderful cook, competed fiercely in family board and card games, and constantly exuded a prevailing sense of joy. She possessed an instantly encouraging smile and brightened every room with her presence.

Words are inadequate to describe just how amazing Amy was; she was sunlight. Her graciousness, humility, selflessness, talent, wisdom, resilience, love, and so many other qualities endure through her family and friends. Her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched. Like many teachers, her influence over thousands of lives will extend into the next generation.

Amy is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Mark Rucker, and their two children: Elise Briggs Rucker and Benjamin Dean Rucker. Predeceased by her father, Krell E. Spires, Jr., she is survived by her mother, Joan Briggs Spires DeClark, as well as by her sister Jennifer Spires Sandler and her spouse Larry, her brother Kenneth Spires and his spouse Sherry, and her brother Brian Spires and his spouse Melonie. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Daniel Sandler, Charles Sandler and his spouse Ana, Richard Spires, Leslie Katter and her spouse Trent, Sarah Boiarski, Nicholas Spires and his spouse Janie, Christopher Spires and his spouse Lauren, Michael Spires and his spouse Katherine, Matthew Spires and his partner Jacqueline, Kathryn Spires, Samuel Spires, Joseph Spires, and Hope Spires. Both in life and after, she was blessed to be a part of such a big family.

Visitation will be held on September 30, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tobias Funeral Home Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, OH, 45429. A private family committal service will be held at David’s Cemetery on October 1. A memorial celebration of Amy’s life will be held at Christ Church UMC, 3440 Shroyer Road, Kettering, OH, 45429, on October 1 at 12:00 noon. As autumn was Amy’s favorite season, guests are encouraged to wear fall colors in her honor. Charitable donations in Amy’s memory can be made to Musikgarten, 507 Arlington St., Greensboro, NC 27406. Memo note: Amy Rucker Memorial Teacher Fund. For secure credit card donation, call the Musikgarten office 800-216-6864, or email Jeff Spickard at jspickard@musikgarten.org for a donation link to the Amy Rucker Memorial Teacher Fund