Nelson Foucht

Nelson Foucht 85, died peacefully in his sleep on March 29, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron R., and Pauline Tavenner Foucht, brother Byron Robert (Bob) Foucht, sisters: Marilyn Foucht Holcomb, Joan Foucht, and grandson Elijah Sage Vance. Nelson is survived by his wife of 60+ Years, Margaret (Peggy)Sichler Foucht, son, Allen (Mindy) Foucht, grandsons Justin (Emily)Foucht and Zane (Erin)Foucht: daughter Kathryn Foucht Price, grandsons, Daniel P Downs, Warren L Smith (Lauren), great-granddaughter, Evelyn Victoria Smith and many nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to mention.

Nelson graduated from Zanesville High School and the Navy School of music, in Washington DC. He spent his navy career in Guantanamo Bay Cuba and Great Lakes Navel Station. In 1965 Nelson graduated from The College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati.  During his college career he played in Conservatory Brass Ensemble, Orchestra, and the University of Cincinnati Marching Band. Nelson received an undergraduate assistantship to organize a jazz band under R Robert Hornyak, Director of Bands. He taught grades 1-12 vocal & instrumental music in Indiana and 4-12 Zanesville Public Schools. He retired from the Columbus Public Schools in 1986 having taught beginning instruments through high school. He directed marching band, concert band, jazz band and orchestra at both Mohawk Jr.-Sr. High and Beechcroft High School.  

Nelson also played his trombone professionally and was an original member of the Jazz Arts Group. He played in many Big Bands in the Columbus, throughout the US, Canada, and the Cayman Islands, he also played in the Columbus and Cincinnati Symphonies. In 2001 he was inducted into the Columbus Senior Musicians Hall of Fame.       

Throughout his teaching career he taught private lessons, and many of his students became band directors and professional musicians. Nelson was a member of the MENC and the Ohio Music Education Association, where he oversaw the Exhibits Area for the OMEA Conventions. He was also Chairman of the Central Ohio District, OMEA.

Nelson belonged to the Goodale Masonic Lodge #372 and The Aladdin Shrine. He played in and directed both the Aladdin Dance Band and the Aladdin Dixieland Band. He was President of the Shrine Band Association of North America and organized the musical presentations of various Shrine bands during the Imperial Conventions.

Nelson loved fishing in Canada and lobstering with Bob in Massachusetts. He bowled with the CPS teachers league and golfed with his fellow band directors. He loved traveling in the RV throughout the US and Canada, and he was fortunate to visit every state except Alaska.  He belonged to the American Legion, London and Kappa Kappa Psi, Honorary Band Fraternity.

Music was Nelson’s life from the time he picked up his trombone in the fourth grade until he died, listening to the great trombone playing of his friend Bill Watrous.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, 1-4, at the Choctaw Lake Lodge, 2875 Oneida Dr, London Ohio 43140.

In lieu of flowers friends may contribute to Aladdin Shrine Hospital Association for Children, 1801 Gateway Cir., Grove City, OH 43123, in Nelson's memory.