William Donald Kvaternick, a ‘Renaissance Man of Faith’, died on March 8, 2021 surrounded by family. He was a resident of Colorado Springs for 47 years. He was a passionate and well-loved music teacher at Sabin Junior High School for 25 years where he directed honor bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, concert bands, and a special performing group ‘The Funky Turtles’.
Music was always key in William’s life. He had the honor of playing (trumpet) for the King of Jordan and President Eisenhower while in the 5th Army Band at Ft. Benning, GA. After his service, he started his career in Hailey, Idaho where he directed the girls’ chorus in a performance of “Christmas in Art and Music” at the Sun Valley Opera House. He moved back to Colorado where his Sterling High School Concert Band performed at the Colorado Music Educator’s Convention at the Broadmoor, he received the “Teacher of the Year Award” (honorable mention), and the marching band led the Miss America Parade in 1974. At Sabin, “The Funky Turtles” performed at the Fine Arts Center, the Broadmoor Hotel, Disneyland, the IBM Convention in Beaver Creek, US Air Force Academy Officer’s Club, Colorado Springs Public Schools “Showcase of Music”, Pikes Peak Library District “Imagination Celebration”, and the State Capitol Rotunda Concert. He received the “Arts, Business, Education Award” and was co-director of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony. The Youth Symphony played at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. His passion for music made a lasting impression on many students.
William was born February 9, 1936 in Gunnison, CO to Mary Elizabeth Kvaternick (Gallowich) and William Frederick Kvaternick. He was the eldest of four children. He served as an altar boy at the Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Crested Butte, CO, and established a lifelong friendship with Sister Miriam Russell. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado in 1958.
He met the love of his life on the slopes of Sun Valley, Charlene Oburia Burrell. They were married December 26, 1964 in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. They were blessed with three children Valerie, Mary, and William, and six grandchildren, all of whom were baptized in the Basilica. Beauty, art, architecture, and music were important to both William and Charlene, and more importantly sharing that beauty with others. Both William and Charlene were involved with the Sterling Arts Council, promoting and presenting art to Northeast Colorado.
He spoke fondly of his trips to Europe; the operas at the Vienna Opera House, the tour of the Louvre and Notre Dame, the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, and all the stations and museums in the Vatican and encouraged his grandchildren to experience the beauty. After his retirement in 2000, William became an eucharistic minister and hospital volunteer for Penrose and Penrose St Francis for 20 years. His faith was very important and he enjoyed the opportunity to bring comfort to others. He donated his time, talents, and art to the hospitals and chapels.
A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, CO where their story began, followed by a 12:30 p.m. committal service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs, CO. Inurnment will be at the Columbarium where he will be at peace with his wife.
Sally Sue Sue Coddington
16 Mar 2021So sorry for your loss. I was at Sabin with Bill and very much enjoyed his dry sense of humor. He was a good man and teacher.
Val Tirman
21 Mar 2021Bill and family were my neighbors on Parade Circle for many years. Our kids played together and we often chatted about every subject imaginable. Deepest condolences. I’m going to miss you Bill.
Lynn Branford
22 Mar 2021Val, Mary & William, My family and I mourn your loss, and pray that the Lord will heal your hearts.
With fond memories,
Lynn and Bill Branford
Kevin Branford and family
For 23 years Bill and I shared the music department office at Sabin Jr. High. We supported one another’s musical efforts, collaborated on concerts, shared stories about our families, celebrated musical and personal successes, mourned losses.
I came to know Bill as a colleague, a gifted musician, an extraordinary teacher, a man of true and sincere faith and personal integrity and most importantly a good friend. He will be deeply missed.
Thank you for ‘sharing’ your Dad with us for all of the years he taught.
David Ravetti
8 Apr 2021Mr. Kvaternick was very influential in my early musical development while at Sabin and I remember him fondly. Beyond the music classes he was also the first person I knew who was exploring computers and music, which brought together two of the passions of my young nerdy self, and he shared his interests in art beyond music as well. Music has continued to be one of the most significant sources of joy and comfort in my life and I’m grateful for the inspiration that Mr. Kvaternick provided.
Chris Hinkson
27 Aug 2022Bill (Mr. Kvaternick) was my teacher and friend.
I played the violin at Sabin Jr. High in his orchestra. I felt at home there. I remember once he had us shelve our instruments and just close our eyes and listen to Barber’s Adagio for Strings. He asked us about the images and feelings we had while it played. I had never felt music that way before in my life. It touched me in a way I can’t quite explain. Barber’s Adagio is now a permanent part of my life soundtrack.
I called him every couple years after being his student to give updates on my life and hear about his. I felt so proud to tell him that I became a teacher. I felt so proud to tell him that my love of music was being passed on to my own family as it grew.
I returned to District 11 in Colorado Springs to teach. I was a high school history teacher to two of his grand daughters.
Mr. Kvaternick is one of my heroes. I was looking him up today to call him again when I found his obituary. I will miss him, but remember him for the rest of my life.
Adieu my friend and teacher.