Louis E. Pete (1895-1971) known affectionately as "Doc" and "Ashland's Music Man" died April 23, 1971. Born in Tiffin, Ohio June 24, 1895, he was the son of Louis E. and Mary Louise (Ferguson) Pete.

Dr. Pete was married January 25, 1919 to Lulu L. Shearer, they had one daughter, Mrs. Richard L. (Henrietta) Krabach. Dr. Pete also had one sister, Mrs. Lawrence Fritz (Mildred Pete) of Ashland; two brothers, Fred F. of Washington, Pa. and H. Austin of Donora, Pa.

His early boyhood was spent in Loudonville, Ohio. From there he left with his family to make his home in Hope, Arkansas. Leaving Arkansas a few years later, he came to Donora, Pennsylvania to make his home. In 1918 he returned to Ashland, Ohio after serving as a cost accountant with a large steel mill in Donora.

Louis Pete was graduated from Ashland College in 1927 and again in 1936 and was presented with an honorary Doctor of music in 1939. He served as supervisor of music education at Ashland College until his retirement in 1965. He served as director of the First Christian Church and later the Trinity Lutheran Choir for a combined period of 30 years. He also served for many years on the board of Ashland Public Library.

Dr. Pete started the series of successful high school musicals at ashland High School in 1965 including the first high school production of "The King and I" in the entire country. In addition, he also served as director of the All-Boys Band for 35 years, retiring in 1967.

He founded the Ashland Synphony Orchestra in 1925 with the help of the late Mrs. T.W. Miller, Sr. The symphony performed a number of nationwide radio broadcasts. He was also commissioned by former Governor James A. Rhoades to organize and direct the All-Ohio Youth Orchestra.

As a result of Dr. Pete's enthusiastic interest in carrying through his plans and with the generous financial assistance of the late John C. Myers, Sr. and the late Mrs. Guy C. Myers, the music program in Ashland developed and the $112, 000 bandshell was constructed in Brookside Park. Today this bandshellserves as both a memorial and final resting place for Dr. and Mrs. Pete whose ashes are located in the ouside wall of the bandshell.
 
 

Memorial Service April 27, 1971

Biography

Photographs

Newsclippings duplicate scrapbook 1922

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[copy] Scrapbook XV speeches- Ohio State Band pictures 1950

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[copy] Scrapbook VIII 1953-1955

Newsclippings 1954

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[copy] Scrapbook XI 1962-1963

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[copy] Scrapbook XIII 1965

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Ashland College publicity releases

Correspondence

Ashland College-Ashland High School Choir joint program: 1949, 1950, 1954, 1956

Ashland High School Programs: 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929

Ashland High School Programs: 1930, 1931, 1932

Ashland High School Programs: 1950, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959

Ashland High School Programs: 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966

Ashland Symphony Orchestra Programs: 1925, 1926, 1927

Ashland Symphony Orchestra Programs: 1937, 1938, 1939

Ashland Symphony Orchestra Programs: 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1949

Ashland Symphony Orchestra Programs: 1950

Church choir concert programs: 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1949

Guest Conducting Programs: 1927, 1938, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1960

Ohio State Fair Band

Video tape VHS format oral history, Louis Pete, Mildred Pete, Louis W. Fritz, June 7, 1994.

Thesis by David Charles Vaas
A HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MUSIC AND MUSIC
EDUCATION OF LOUIS E. PETE. 1971.