Scott Wilkinson, 99, passed sweetly and gently into eternity on December 22, 2021, at his home at BeeHive of Crownridge Assisted Living. His devoted wife, Jane, was at his side, as was his daughter and many of the kind and caring staff of BeeHive Homes.
Scott is survived by his wife of 16 years, Jane Schermerhorn, daughters Ann Elizabeth Wilkinson of Albuquerque, NM and Jean Wilkinson Martinis of Santa Barbara, CA (family John, Scott, and Stephen) as well as Jane's children Nancy (and Hal) Brischke of San Antonio, TX, Skip (and Debbie) Schermerhorn of Pekin, IL and their children and grandchildren. Scott is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews as well as hundreds of students from UNM Music Department whom he mentored and inspired.
Scott Wilkinson was born in Bement, Illinois, the fourth child of Arthur and Etha Wilkinson. Scott graduated from Bement High School in 1940 and started the study of music theory with Edith Rose while still in high school.
After graduating from high school, Scott attended the University of Arizona to study theory and composition with Arthur Olaf Andersen, Dean of Fine Arts at the time. Scott’s education was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted 12/21/42. He ended up in the 13th Armored Division and saw action in Germany. With the end of the war in Germany, Scott’s division returned to the United States to prepare for direct invasion of Japan. Prior to the invasion, his division was granted a 30 day furlough. During that period, the “bomb” was dropped, and World War II was over. Scott was discharged 2/13/46. This past Veteran’s Day (11/11/2021), Scott was honored by a presentation from a Brigadier General from Fort Sam Houston in honor of Scott’s service to his country.
After the war, Scott returned to Arizona to complete his education. He received his Masters degree in Music Composition, and did advanced study with Darius Milhaud at Mills College and in Paris, France. Upon return from France, Scott worked briefly with Gene Forrell in documentary and educational film in New York City and later worked with Carl Fischer, Inc. Music Publisher, becoming managing editor.
In 1957 Scott married Linda Painton and they had two daughters, Jean Mary and Ann Elizabeth. Scott and the family relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he and his wife owned and operated the Music Mart, a music store specializing in sheet music. Later Scott sold the store to Joe Keith, briefly returned to Carl Fischer, and then came back to New Mexico where he was hired by the University of New Mexico.
Scott taught Theory and Composition at the University of New Mexico, becoming coordinator of the program. His dictation and sight singing worksheets became an integral part of the freshman-sophomore theory and ear training program. He was involved with John Donald Robb Musical Trust at its inception in 1989. In 1991 he retired, Professor Emeritus, from the University of New Mexico. In 2020, the John Donald Robb Musical Trust presented him with The Robb Award for Excellence in Music.
Scott composed in a variety of media, many of which are published. Most of the compositions are choral. In 2002, a composition contest and scholarship were initiated in his name at the University of New Mexico. His music has been performed all over the world by such distinguished groups as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Recently his music was the subject of a doctoral thesis of Jeff Brown, a student of Dr. Charles Smith at Michigan State University.
In 2003 Scott’s wife, Linda, passed away suddenly. Two years later, to the joy of his family, he found a new life by marrying his high school sweetheart from Bement, Illinois - Jane Ellen Schermerhorn. They divided their time between Albuquerque and Pekin, Illinois. In 2012 they moved into a retirement center, Franklin Park Sonterra, in San Antonio, Texas which is very close to where Jane’s daughter and son-in-law live.
In December 2020, they moved to the BeeHive Homes of Crownridge Assisted Living Facility in San Antonio. They spent a very happy year there up until Scott's passing. The family would like to express the deepest gratitude to the kind people of BeeHive Homes of Crownridge and Heart of Texas Hospice who took such good care of Scott in his last year.
A Committal Service will be held for Scott on May 17, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson, El Paso, TX 79906 at the East Shelter.
To celebrate the life of Scott Wilkinson, the family has arranged for memorial gifts to be made to The Scott Wilkinson Music Theory and Composition Endowed Scholarship at the University of New Mexico Dept of Music. Memorial contributions can be mailed to:
UNM Foundation
700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Attn: Scott Wilkinson Scholarship
Or, gifts can be made online at www.unmfund.org/fund/scott-wilkinson/
"Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory—"
You are no longer with us, Scott, but your legacy lives on.
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