Dr. Thomas R. Root, composer, conductor and professor, age 76, died on August 2, 2023. An award-winning composer, Dr. Root first came to prominence with “Polly Oliver.” This work is now considered an American instrumental classic. He went on to publish more than 30 pieces and was busy completing a set of arrangements for brass ensemble when he died. Dr. Root came from a family of talented musicians and became an active musician early. He fiercely resisted practicing piano, however–a fact he regretted his whole life. After receiving undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of MN, he spent four colorful years on the faculty as Marching Band Director and Arranger. Later, with a doctorate from Michigan State University in hand, he had teaching stints in Michigan and California before he landed in Utah. It is likely his work there that made the greatest impact. Formidable yet beloved, he was Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Weber State University in Ogden, UT for 32 years. He held his students to tough standards, but was always compassionate and endlessly generous. The world-class symphonic band program he built during his tenure at Weber was one of his proudest achievements. To those lucky enough to know him, Tom was a great storyteller and loved regaling anyone with vivid stories of his youth in small-town Redwood Falls, MN–which he called “the best place in the world to be a kid.” After retirement, he continued to conduct the Ogden Concert Band, but he had more time to golf, to sit outside watching the storms roll in and for writing his memoirs–“Reflections on a Dissolute Yet Redeemable Life”–which he completed during the COVID quarantine. Tom leaves behind three children: Kristin (André), Erin (Eric) and Kelly (Katie) and three grandchildren (Adriana, Adayla, Calvin), his brother Jim, and many, many dear friends–sailing buddies, golf partners, Bambi and especially his lifelong friends and co-conspirators, the members of the Tarnished Brass. Celebrations of Life will be held in Pleasant View, UT at The Barn Golf Course on Saturday, October 14 from 2-4 pm and in MN at St. Paul’s UCC on Saturday, December 16 at 11 am. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West