Gary Conrad Rutkowski

Gary Conrad Rutkowski, 48, of Clinton, SC died Wednesday, July 3, 2008.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Robin Patterson Rutkowski, a daughter,
Emily Katherine (Emy-Kate) Rutkowski, and step-son Christopher Tyler Goss; three brothers: William Francis Rutkowski, wife Roseann and son Joseph of Arlington, VA; Michael Thomas Ibbetson, wife Beth and triplet girls, Deanna Joy, Miranda Grace, and Emma Marie of Warwick, NY; Joseph Coates Ibbetson, Jr., wife Mary and daughters Nicole Alexandra and Cassandra Joy of Selkirk, NY; paternal grandmother, Lucy Margaret Shaudys Rutkowski; sister-in-law, Terry Patterson Harrison of Houston, TX; sister-in-law and husband, Tammie and Harold Barfield of Laurens, SC; sister-in-law Pamela Patterson Robson of Greer, SC; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Joyce Spear Ibbetson; step-father, Joseph Coates Ibbetson, Sr.; father, Conrad John Rutkowski; maternal grandmother, Ruth Fippenger Spear; maternal grandfather, William H. Spear; and paternal grandfather, Conrad Bruno Rutkowski.
He was born on February 28, 1960 in Warwick, NY where he attended and graduated high school. Having been exposed to music through the hands of his maternal grandparents, Gary began studying piano during his 7th grade of school. While attending Warwick Valley High School, Gary played french horn in the marching band and was a member of the Hudson Valley Junior Philharmonic. He often spoke fondly of those days when as a member of the Florida American Legion Marching Band, he would march in parades celebrating holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Piano was still his greatest joy and upon graduating high school, Gary attended Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia where he received a BA with honors in Music in 1982. He applied and received a Teaching Fellows Graduate Assistant position at Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma where he again graduated with honors in 1984 with a Masters in Music Pedagogy. In 2000 he began his doctorial studies at the University of South Carolina towards a degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy. All of his classes were
completed, but a dissertation was put on hold because of family illness. During his education Gary received many awards and scholarships: John Phillips Sousa Music Award, Women's Club Scholarship, Lissette Black Music Award, Who's Who Among College Students, Emily Vail Award, Senior Honor's Recital, and many other awards and honor societies too numerous to mention.
Upon graduating from Oklahoma, Gary was invited to teach class piano at The National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan during the summer months between 1985 and 1989. In the fall of 1984, Gary came to Presbyterian College to teach in the Preparatory Music Department for pre-college-age students and was later made Director of the Department. He went on to start the first class piano classes for college level instruction, kinder music, and other pre-school music classes as well as summer music camps. He also gave the initial gift, in memory of his mother, to start the Jubilate Choir. The Prep Department grew from less than 20 students to more than 300 during his twenty-three years. The youngest student he taught was age 4 and the oldest was 81, a retired resident of Presbyterian Home. His philosophy was "No one was too old to learn piano if they had a desire to play." Students could study piano, organ, violin, guitar, dulcimer, french horn, obo, clarinet, percussion, as well as other instruments. He was called upon to judge music festivals throughout SC, NC and GA. He was a member of SCMTA and SCMEA.

Gary was never too busy to share his love of music and helped with Bible School at Broad Street Methodist, Westminster Presbyterian and his home church of St. John's Lutheran. In his early years in Clinton, he was pianist for Hartness Thornwell Presbyterian Church. Most recently, he was the pianist for Mountville Presbyterian Church as well as Presbyterian Home during their Sunday evening vespers. He was often asked and graciously accepted the honor of playing for the weddings of many of his former students.
Gary lost the desire to complete his doctorate, but acquired a new passion. In May of 2007, he resigned from PC to become a first grade teacher at Clinton Elementary. It was fate that landed him teaching in the same first grade classroom his daughter, Emy-Kate, had entered only 11 years earlier. His mentor and strong advocate, Mrs. Penny Pabst, whom he loved and respected was also his daughter's first grade teacher. While his tenure at CES was brief, he made an astounding impact on everyone he met. He absolutely adored his students and they felt his love for them. He was honored in May as their Teacher of the Year with a parade, quilt, and fundraiser. He was a member of SCIRA and SCPTA.
Gary was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he served on Church Council as a leader in Worship and Music. Under the guidance of Dr. Orval Oleson, who was Gary's best friend and mentor, he worked many years helping to plan special music during Religious seasons. He loved working with the youth and especially enjoyed the winter ski trips and teaching everyone his childhood sport of skiing. During the Christmas season, he would cut down the Chrismon Tree for decorating and take the youth caroling. His vegetable soup is one of St. John's favorites during Lenten suppers. His favorite dish, poppyseed chicken, was passed to him by Hellen Grant while attending St. John's.
As a father and teacher he believed encouragement, not reprimands, was the key to guiding a child in the right direction. As a husband he was kind and generous with all his gifts. He easily commanded respect, love and trust from all his students and children because of the love he so freely gave. In everything, he had the patience of Job and the ability to love everyone he came to know. There wasn't a trip too far or a task too large that he wouldn't try in order to bring happiness to those he loved. On one summer day, he took Emy-Kate and a friend to every park in Clinton just so they could claim to have played at every park. He supervised beach trips with Emy-Kate's high school friends, ski trips, water rafting and backyard barbeques. Gary especially relished family holiday
meals which he would spend hours preparing. He drove all the way to Carmel, CA to
give his cousin, Sue Ann, away in marriage and during his mother's illness, he would make weekend trips to Warwick, NY to be by her side. He introduced his son, Tyler, to music, camping and his love of the open road. Gary wasn't afraid to drive anywhere, even if he didn't know the way. He adored his nieces and nephews and had the gift of making each feel they had his undivided attention. He truly believed that life was a gift and an adventure to be enjoyed and shared. No challenge was too great or burden too heavy to bear with the love of family and friends. This love was never more evident than during these last months as he battled cancer. Throughout his life, he was a servant to all. If you had the pleasure of knowing him, then remember his quick smile and warm hugs, knowing that you had met a saint who, for a brief time, lived among us.


The family will receive friends on Monday July 7, 2008 between 7:00 and 9:00 pm at the home located at 302 Hickory St., Clinton, SC. Services will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 2:00 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church, Clinton, SC.