Jack Elchroth

September 22, 1935 ~ June 6, 2019

ELCHROTH - Jack N. Elchroth, age 83, passed away Friday, June 7, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Cora Elchroth. Jack is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cande Elchroth; children, Lisa (Joel) Shapiro, Dina (Mark Joraanstad) Brulles, John Elchroth; grandchildren, Robert and Michael Brulles; sister, Sue Livingston. Jack was a jazz musician who played professionally in clubs in and around Grand rapids in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a retired Kenowa Hills Highschool band director and music teacher. A Time of Gathering will be held 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Drive NE, Belmont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to FoodShare. To share a photo, memory and sign the family’s online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jack Elchroth please visit our Sympathy Store.

Time of Gathering

JUN 26. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)

Stegenga Funeral Chapel - Belmont

1601 Post Dr. NE

Belmont, MI, 49306

[email protected]

https://www.stegengafuneralchapel.com

Leave Your Tribute Message

June 25, 2019 8:00pm

I am blessed to be included in the morning coffee group at Biggby when I visit my family in Michigan so I have gotten to know Jack over the last several years. Jack was always kind, funny, interesting, and interested in almost everything. I loved hearing Jack and the other coffee drinkers discuss something and I learned early on that googling a topic too soon just ruined Jack's fun—the fun of speculation and discussion. I will miss Jack's generous mind and spirit and his wonderful stories.  Rachel Pokora

- Rachel Pokora

June 25, 2019 8:00pm

Morning coffee Is such a delightful and relaxing ritual that gets us all started on the activities of the day. For the last several years I have enjoyed that ritual in the company of some very colorful characters at Biggby’s Coffee on Plainfield in Grand Rapids.  This group of characters has included individuals in building management and in maintenance, non-profit food sharing, education, and emergency room medicine, along with bikers, some of our adult children and world travelers who found their way occasionally into our coffee circle.  Several years ago Jack Elchroth, my colleague and fellow teacher at Kenowa Hills High School, and I became a part of this ever evolving group and from that time on our coffee hour became a very important part of our day.  With this kind of gathering you can imagine the animation of the stories that were shared. And, best of all, this group developed a strong and caring community who took a lively and personal interest in each other’s adventures.  Which brings me to my vivid recollection of the stories I learned at coffee hour about an extraordinary individual, my good friend Jack. Here was a person who had multiple interests and had immersed himself in many engaging and absorbing experiences. He had led such an interesting life and I loved hearing about it.  Imagine the scene of Jack in a quiet moment listening to classical music at his beloved pond. Or, in a burst of energy, mowing the lawn or clearing the leaves away with his John Deere tractor.  Jack was very cerebral.. . an avid reader who could easily recall many details of what he had read. He was knowledgeable about many things, generously sharing what he had learned with his colleagues at coffee.  Jack was also very inquisitive and curious. He could occasionally be found at two in the morning at his workbench ruminating on a problem he was trying to solve.  Now take this philosophical and pensive naturalist and watch him turn into a VERY enthusiastic Wisconsin football and basketball, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan.  Or a golfer and fisherman…  Or a crew member on an ore carrier in Lake Michigan…  Or a contender for a spot on the Olympic ski team…  Or an avid traveler packing up his family to explore South America.  Jack was an energetic and devoted music teacher at Kenowa Hills High School whose marching band played at Chicago parades and Green Bay Packers games. And it is no wonder that he guided his students to these momentous events as years before Jack had already been a performer in the Army band and had played in several foreign countries, performing for celebrities.  Jack’s love of music and nature and his deep sensitivity and talent shaped and formed his life journey and kept him exploring whatever new life experience he could imagine.  In his more recent years, Jack returned with special delight to the pond and woods he loved so dearly and, responding to the suggestion of one of his coffee comrades, he placed several appreciation chairs around the pond and in the woods of his mystical oasis, designating multiple resting areas where he could take in the natural beauty that had so soothed and inspired him.  Today It is difficult to imagine our coffee gatherings without Jack at our side.  A few days ago, Doc, one of the morning coffee regulars, put an empty cup at Jack’s place where we sat together each day. No doubt Jack is smiling at our conversations and tomfoolery from his new appreciation chair where he will undoubtedly continue his quest to understand the mysteries of life.  Thank you, Jack, for sharing YOUR amazing life with us.  Dan Pokora

- Dan Pokora

June 22, 2019 8:00pm

Jack was one of the greatest sidemen and person with whom I ever played and the Best Man at Carol and my wedding, i have tried to contact him recently to no avail. Candy, please contact me at a later date as I would love to reminisce about the "good old days" that Jack and I shared and the gigs that we played together. Please call me at (616)

- Eric Wendlandt

June 22, 2019 8:00pm

Cande, condolences to you and your family.

- Mary E Austin

June 22, 2019 8:00pm

Candy Please give me a call at a later date to reminisce about the many gigs we played together. Jack was the Best Man at Carol and my wedding! What a great guy !!  Eric Wendlandt (616) 364-0466   .

- Eric Wendlandt

June 16, 2019 8:00pm

The Music of Jack Elchroth   “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart..”  Pablo Casals   Jack Elchroth’s life was a venue for countless glorious impulses of the heart. The love he felt for his family.  The comradeship with his friends. His mystical connection with nature. His untiring dedication as a teacher. The richness and tapestry of emotion he both expressed and evoked by his scintillating music.  Jack’s heart held many deep reflections as he contemplated the mysteries of life. He responded to them with the simplicity of wisdom and the magic of his music, a profound response to our longing for Divine connection.  Thank you for the opportunity to appreciate your extraordinary gifts. We hear your “music”, Jack. You have touched the world with the beauty of your heart.  Marie Helena Pokora

- Marie Helena Pokora

June 16, 2019 8:00pm

Jack what a wonderful man. He helped me grow as a musician and gave me the confidence to be a better person. He could be strict in a good way but we always had a laugh also. His stories were so great. He got me my first paying gig at 16 yrs old. He knew I could do it. That was Jack

- John M Schab

June 11, 2019 8:00pm

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Jack Elchroth.

- Beautiful in Blue

June 11, 2019 8:00pm

Class guy. That quickly became apparent after meeting him. Always a kind word and interested in your life. It was my good fortune to have known him. Safe travels Jack. Lloyd Vermaat

- Lloyd Vermaat

June 09, 2019 8:00pm

Cande and family, My sincere condolences on the passing of Jack. He was a great musician, a kind and gentle man. He will be missed. Sincerely, Patty Hanson

- Patty Hanson

June 09, 2019 8:00pm

My prayers and condolences. He was one of those teachers who had a lifelong positive impact on me and so many others.

- Rick Rozelle

June 08, 2019 8:00pm

So grateful to have had the opportunity to study under Mr. Elchroth. Any time I use an alternate clarinet fingering I think if him, as he taught me many of these tricks. Whenever I hear the song Spooky or Color my World, or Tuxedo Junction, Jack will come to my mind! Rest in peace, and thank you for being our Leader of the Band!

- Sandy Billingsley

June 08, 2019 8:00pm

Sandy Piccard-Billingsley

- Sandy Billingsley




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