At the Exeter Union High School Grand Opening April 11 for the newly remodeled auditorium a special tribute was given to the beloved “Music Man” of so many Exeter alumni, Ted G. Misenhimer.

During the intermission, a framed certificate and a check were presented to EUHS Band Director Kirk Clague to benefit the EUHS Music Department. Former students of Misenheimer have donated $607 to the music department thus far.

Misenhimer, 89, passed away April 1 of this year in Ventura, California. After a lengthy struggle with congestive heart failure, he died peacefully with his family alongside him singing hymns and reading scripture.

Ted taught at Exeter Union High School from 1947 through 1954 and at Redondo Union High School in Southern California from 1954 through 1977.

His teaching career included choral and instrumental music, aero-science, biology, math, driver education and photography.

He wrote a 700 page aero-science textbook used in high schools and colleges throughout the United States. After retiring from teaching at RUHS, he taught Physical Science at Biola University, in La Mirada, California for 10 years.

He has been the recipient of numerous Aerospace Education awards and was the 1989 recipient of Governor Ronald Reagan's Certificate of Recommendation. His aero-science students learned how to re-cover airplane wings and one their projects, the tail section of a vintage M-! Mailplane, hangs in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

In October of last year “Mr. M” as he was fondly called by his students was the guest of honor at the EUHS Tri-Class Reunion.

The theme of the evening was a Salute to Our Music Man. He declared it, “the most memorable night of my life.”

The 50 plus year phenomenon is a testimony to the impact this man had on the lives of countless students.

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