Long time Fort Hays State University professor of music John Huber died Friday, January 9, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, two children, five grandchildren and countless students. John will be remembered as a gifted music educator with a career spanning nearly 50 years in Norwest Kansas. John was honored for his contribution to music education in Kansas by being enshrined in the KMEA Hall of Fame (www.ksmea.org/hof). This annual award honors musicianship of the highest order and recognizes exemplary musical and teaching accomplishments. John was the 100th person to be named to the KMEA Hall of Fame since its inception in 1975.

KMEA Hall of Fame profile:
John was born in Hays and returned to Hays after graduating from high school where he earned the baccalaureate degree in music education from Fort Hays State University in 1962. Following graduation, he accepted a three-year appointment as piano instructor in USD 316 Colby, Kansas. Enrollment in piano instruction nearly doubled during his tenure at Colby reaching one hundred students. After completing a Master's in music theory at the University of Michigan, he accepted a position in music theory and piano at Fort Hays State University, which he retained for 45 years before retiring in 2013. He maintained a 140% teaching assignment throughout his tenure at Fort Hays State. In addition, he maintained a private teaching studio of 30 pre-college students. John was active as an adjudicator at solo and multi-keyboard festivals. He also accepted numerous other professional state and national appointments including faculty advisor of Kansas Collegiate Music Educator National Conference, president of Kansas Music Teachers Association and MTNA Collegiate Artist Performance Competition Coordinator.

With nearly 50 years worth of contribution to Kansas music education, John left a long lasting legacy. He will be sorely missed but long remembered.