Obituary of Dean Logsdon

Dean Hardin Logsdon passed away June 28, 2014, at Boulder City Hospital in Nevada. He was born in December of 1919 in Kewanee, IL. His mother was Ruth J. (McIntosh) Logsdon and his father was (Henry) Dean Logsdon of IL. Dean grew up in the state of IL. When he was young he was introduced to music and found a passion for it. He graduated from Chauncy L. Higbee High School in Pittsfield, IL on May 28, 1937. Dean attended Western Illinois State Teachers College from 1938 to 1939 but did not graduate. He did, however graduate from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College with a B.S. E.D. on May 22, 1942. He received a Masters in Music Education from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on May 26, 1947. He received a Masters of Music Composition, B.S. in Ed., M.Music.ED from the University of Southern California on June 15, 1957. In addition to graduating from the above mentioned colleges, Dean joined the 13th Armored Division Band in the Army of the United States on March 31, 1942. The location was Jeff Brook, MO. His discharge papers show that he was Staff Sergeant from 1942-1945. Dean was also a musician whose main instrument was the French horn. He also played drums and enough piano to accompany his students at private lessons and create musical compositions. Of course, being an instrumental music teacher, Dean was versed in all the orchestral instruments. He started children on the difficult string instruments as well as brass instruments. In 1946, Dean taught for Highland Park Public School in Dallas, TX, where he married Janet E. Whitcomb. He taught for Evergreen School District in Vancouver, WA from 1947 to 1949. Dean will be remembered mostly for teaching in the La Canada School district from 1950 to 1979. He started many children on musical instruments. In a newspaper article dated 1978, Mrs. Jean Maus, president of Oak Grove Elementary School, stated that, “Logsdon is admired, respected and loved by students, teachers and parents. I cannot say enough about his dedication, his patience and his concern. He has never faltered in any assignment.” In addition to teaching in the La Canada Schools, Dean also taught students privately. Dean Logsdon’s wife, Janet E.W. Logsdon, passed away on March 2, 2008. About 8 months later Dean’s older daughter, Charlotte Fender, brought him to live with her in NV. He is survived by 1 sister in CO, Charlotte Hutto, 2 daughters, Charlotte Fender of NV and Lucinda Snyder of CA, 1 granddaughter, Page Fender, of CA, 1 niece, 1 nephew, 2 great-nieces, and 1 great nephew, all living in CO, 1 first cousin in WA and 3 first cousins in MO. He is greatly missed by his family and caregivers. He will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. Please join us for a celebration of Dean Hardin’s life at the Crippen Mortuary Chapel; at 2900 Honolulu Ave in La Crescenta, California, 91214 on August 23rd, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.