Wauwatosa East High School Alumni
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (WI)
Philip J. Ruecktenwald Obituary (1954 - 2005)
Born Jul 27, 1954, Philip J. Ruecktenwald attended Wauwatosa East High School in Wauwatosa, WI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Philip J. Ruecktenwald.
| Graduation Year | Class of 1972 |
| Date of Birth | Jul 27, 1954 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 03, 2005 |
| About | Philip J. Ruecktenwald, 50, died Sunday, April 3, 2005 at home. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he formerly resided in Warren before moving to Branchburg eight years ago. Philip was a musician and played principal Trumpet for the N.Y.C. Opera in Manhattan for 17 years before retiring in 2003. He taught trumpet for five years at the College of N.J. in Trenton. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians-AFL-CIO, Local 802 and the Associated Musicians of Greater N.Y. Philip was an avid golfer, fisherman and cook who loved telling a good joke. He also enjoyed gardening, growing both flowers and vegetables. Surviving are his beloved wife of 10 years, Anne M. Gaughan Ruecktenwald, three sons, Samuel of Rhode Island, Peter of Berkley, California and Michael of Milford, a brother, George C. and wife Joy of Waukesha, WI and a niece, Jackie of Wisconsin. |
Barbara Kastens '72 said:
Philip was a gifted artist. He excelled and made us all proud. An avid contributor, Phil participated in Concert Band and Marching Band with Boss, as well as jazz band. He was the star who we all knew would go somewhere!! And he did. In my head, playing with him in the Tosa East Pep band, Boss always knew he could challenge him to be better. When we played the National Anthem, there was a trumpet descant that was SO inspiring, if you didn't have a tear in your eye, you didn't have a beating heart.
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CommentTom Smart '72 posted a photo:
What an honor it was to play with Phil in the Tosa East bands, particularly the jazz band. He was a truly great talent who went on to have a notable career in music.