Memorial set for man who wrote Kettering school alma mater, fight song

A cornerstone of Kettering City Schools’ award-winning music program died this summer and will be remembered at a memorial service Saturday in Florida.

Robert (Bob) Thygerson spent more than three decades in Kettering schools and wrote the Fairmont High School alma mater and fight song that are still in use today.

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Thygerson joined Kettering City Schools as a music teacher in 1949. After 10 years in that role, he served as supervisor of music from 1959-73, and then supervisor of music and fine arts until his retirement in 1981, according to district spokeswoman Kari Basson.

Jim Probasco, a retired Kettering teacher and music coordinator who was hired by Thygerson, recalled a story from before his own 1974 arrival. He said Thygerson was known for his quick work when marching band director Clark Haines wanted to do a new halftime show every week.

“They brainstormed ideas for the following week’s halftime show (on the bus home),” Probasco said. “As song titles were decided on, Bob began scratching out arrangements on music staff paper he kept with him at all times. … By Monday morning, the show was ready to begin rehearsing. According to Bob, that forced him to be able to arrange band music faster than most.”

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Born in 1921 in Fond du Lac, Wisc., Thygerson served honorably in the Army in World War II before coming to Kettering. An accomplished professional pianist, arranger and composer, Thygerson published numerous hymns, jazz compositions and piano arrangements, most of them for Lorenz Publishing in Dayton.

In retirement, he lived in Safety Harbor, Fla., where he played piano and directed musical activities in the community for many years. He died July 11 in Clearwater, Fla., at age 95, and is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, several stepchildren, grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

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A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Northwood Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, arranged by Holloway Funeral Home.

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