Edward John Downing

Edward John Downing, 87, longtime resident of Traverse City, bid his family a final farewell on Friday, February 10, 2023. After sharing a prayer with his wife Joyce, daughter Jamie, and son David he made a toast to his late daughter Karen and passed away peacefully. Ed was born on August 22, 1935 in Wyandotte, MI to the late Jack and Ruth (Draeger) Downing. In the 7th grade Ed met his future wife Joyce and by the 10th grade he knew he would spend the rest of his life with her. After she finally said “yes”, Ed and Joyce M. Culp married on September 3, 1955. Together they lovingly raised three wonderful children. Ed spent his 46-year career in music education teaching in the Flint, Belleville, and Ann Arbor (Huron H.S.) public schools, followed by a tenure conducting bands at the University of Michigan. His superb musicianship and teaching skills led him to hold several offices in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association including the office of President. His bands were among the very finest in the country, performing for state, regional, and national conventions including the Midwest Clinic. In 1974 he was recognized by his peers as Music Teacher of the Year in the State of Michigan. While teaching in the public schools Ed spent several summers as music director for Musical Youth International and Youth for Understanding. Over the years, he and Joyce led hundreds of Michigan high school band and choir students on six-week summer concert tours across Europe promoting the ability of the arts to bring people together. Ed also served as Director of the University of Michigan All-State program at Interlochen while teaching in Ann Arbor. Ed and Joyce moved to Traverse City in 1978 when he became an administrator at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. During his tenure at Interlochen Ed was part of the leadership team serving as Director of the National Music Camp, Vice President for Education, and for the last five years as President. For much of his tenure, he was responsible for the Interlochen Arts Festival summer concert series. He retired in October 2003 as only the sixth president in Interlochen’s then 76-year history and was elected President Emeritus at that time. He came out of retirement in 2007 to become Executive Director of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and served in that role until 2012. Ed was a Rotarian for over 40 years and served the Rotary Club of Traverse City as club President and President of Rotary Charities. Ed excelled on his high school tennis team and taught tennis lessons as a young man. He was valedictorian of his 1953 Roosevelt High School class and received a Regents Alumni Scholarship to the University of Michigan. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the U of M School of Music and was later presented the Distinguished Graduate Citation of Merit by the School of Music and the Distinguished Service Citation by the University of Michigan Bands. He participated in ROTC while a student at U of M and served his country after graduation through an eight-year commitment to the U.S. Army. He retired as Captain, U.S. Field Artillery. Known for the high standard in which he conducted himself, those around him were motivated to do the same. Ed touched the lives of tens of thousands of students and shared his love of the arts. He was revered by his students and in 2016 a former student awarded him an Honorary Black Belt in Taekwondo for his Inspiration, Honor and Integrity. In 2017 Ed was honored by the American Bandmasters’ Association with their highest award, The Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation, for his outstanding personal contribution to the school band movement in the United States. Throughout his life Ed demonstrated a commitment to faith and family. He had a love for and artfulness of the spoken and written word, a penchant for mystery novels, and a passion for Michigan football. Ed and Joyce have been members of First Congregational Church since 1980. Surviving Ed is his beloved wife Joyce of 67 years; his children, Jamie (Jerry) Heim of Traverse City; David (Benita) Downing of Boylston, MA; son-in-law Bruce Asher of Midland, MI, his grandchildren Karl (Delainey) Asher; Michael (Maeanna Stover) Heim; Kendra Asher; Michelle (Aaron) Langlois; Madison Downing; Emily Downing; and Mia Downing; his great grandsons Porter Asher; Emmett Stover-Heim; and Baby Boy Langlois debuting in March; as well as his sister Deanna Hibbler, and many other loving family members and friends. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Karen Asher and his sister Nancy Robinson. A celebration of life honoring Edward J. Downing is planned for Sunday July 9 at 10 am at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Edward J. and Joyce Downing Scholarship Endowment at www.interlochen.org/memorial.

Edward John Downing

August 22, 1935 - February 10, 2023