Kit Stanley Dodd
7/31/1955 ~ 9/1/2016
Kit S. Dodd, 61, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 1, 2016.
Kit was born to Ann P. Dodd and Stanley J Dodd Jr. in 1955 in Eugene, Oregon. He was raised in Eugene with his two brothers John and Pete and was close to his Gramps (Nicholas Schnell,) Granny (Regina Masterson,) Pa (Stanley J Dodd) and Grandma (Opal Brooks.)
Kit started the viola in fourth grade and with that found the music that would allow him to live, love and thrive in this life. In the fifth grade Kit played his first viola solo, Dancing Sunbeams, at fourth grade Becky's first concert. "The rest is history!" The high school sweethearts got married and were DUCK music majors together at the University of Oregon. Kit received his Bachelor of Music degree from the U of O and attended Wichita State University where he received a Master of Music degree. His principal teachers were G. Roy Mann (University of Oregon) and Jeffrey K. Irvine (Wichita State University). When Kit won the audition for the Syracuse Symphony, the West Coast Oregon Ducks moved to "the big city" of Syracuse, New York (Liverpool). Before moving to Syracuse, Kit performed as assistant principal violist with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. During his 35 years as a musician in Syracuse he was featured as soloist with the Syracuse Symphony and as chamber soloist with the Skaneateles Festival, the Syracuse Camerata, Civic Morning Musicals and many other venues all over the East Coast. He was a member of the Clinton String Quartet for 33 years.
Soon after starting his professional violist career in Syracuse he began the craft of being a music librarian. He served as music librarian and violist for the Syracuse Symphony, Symphony Syracuse, and was a passionate founding member of Symphoria where he played the viola and served as their music librarian. One of his goals for Symphoria was to bring back the July 4th classical music concert for our community. That dream was met when Kit performed at the Lakeview Amphitheater on July 4, 2016. That performance was Kit's last.
Kit received numerous scholarships and awards in high school, college, and as a professional. A member of Symphoria's Education Committee, he was always a supporter of music education and passing the art of music and culture to the next generation. He and Becky were recently awarded the Tiffany Award for family contribution to the community from the Civic Morning Musicals.
His other passion was his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Rebecca S. Dodd, and sons Nicholas and Aaron. Kit loved his sons with all of his heart and he was a a loving encouraging role model that taught them to always do what was right. He is also survived by his loving mother Ann P. Dodd, his dad Stanley J Dodd Jr., his brothers John and Peter Dodd and extended family in Oregon, Arizona and Japan. Kit's famly and his many friends had the rare opportunity to have time to come to his home to visit and say their good-byes in person this summer. We will all cherish that forever in our hearts.
Kit's favorite things besides music and his family were, his friends from the East Coast to the West Coast, keeping classical music alive, marking bowings (NOT,) camping, salmon on the grill, IPA Craft Beer, loons, traveling, the History Channel, NCIS, anything Oregon-especially Oregon Football, being a DUCK, attending Nicholas & Aaron's concerts, sporting events, & work places and being proud of all their accomplishments in this life, Cherry Twizzlers, chocolate, peanut M&M's, laughing, and finding the humor in everything.
"ONWARD!"
Calling hours are Friday, September 16th at United Church of Christ in Bayberry 215 Blackberry Rd, Liverpool, NY 13090 from 4-7pm followed by a “Celebration of Life” service at 7pm.
En lieu of flowers, please make a donation, or buy season tickets to Symphoria: experiencesymphoria.org/
