Wayne Romer

Dr. Wayne Allen Romer

February 11, 1954 - April 16, 2024

Dr. Wayne Allen Romer, age 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at his home in Perham, Minnesota.

Wayne was born in Moorhead, Minnesota on February 11, 1954, to Duane and Charlene Romer. He grew up in Hawley, Minnesota in a family of six children. Wayne attended Hawley Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, where he was a natural athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track and field. Wayne was also a gifted musician, playing the trumpet in the high school band and in various other groups and musical productions.

After graduating from Hawley High School in 1972, Wayne attended Concordia College to pursue a degree in Music Education. While attending Concordia, Wayne played solo trumpet in the concert band, symphony orchestra, and jazz ensemble. He also played trumpet in the rock band, Amerika, a popular Fargo-Moorhead group that performed hit music from bands like Chicago and the Doobie Brothers at numerous venues throughout Minnesota.

Wayne graduated from Concordia College in 1976. A few weeks later Wayne and his fiancée, Judy Bentley, were married on June 12, 1976. Later that summer Wayne headed to Ithaca, New York to begin his Master’s degree program in trumpet performance at Ithaca College. Judy joined Wayne in Ithaca after graduating from Concordia in December.

In August of 1977, upon completion of his Master’s program, Wayne and Judy moved back to Minnesota to begin their teaching careers. Wayne held the position as band director at Mahtomedi High School from the fall of 1977 through the spring of 1983. One highlight of Wayne’s career in Mahtomedi was in March of 1980, when he and his high school band students, traveled to New York City to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In the fall of 1983, Wayne accepted a new position as Wind Ensemble director at Apple Valley High School. He continued in this position for the next 12 years. One of many exciting experiences for Wayne was conducting his Apple Valley Wind Ensemble in their performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In the early years of his teaching career, Wayne founded a group called the North Shore Brass. This brass quintet had a repertoire that included a vast variety of music styles and genres. They performed at churches, cultural events, and more in the greater St. Paul/ Minneapolis metro area and beyond.

As time went on, Wayne could no longer ignore his desire to further his music education career to pursue a doctorate. In the summer of 1995, Wayne, Judy, and their three children moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Wayne had been accepted into the 3-year Wind Conducting Doctoral program at the Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati.

In the summer of 1998, Wayne accepted a music professorship at York College of Pennsylvania as their Wind Symphony conductor and trumpet instructor.

A few years later Wayne and Judy separated amicably. They both went on to find new spouses. Wayne and wife, Karen, and Judy and husband, Burt, were all dear friends, celebrating many holidays and special events together with their beloved family.

During parts of his tenure at York College, Wayne was also conductor of the York Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Spring Garden Band. Wayne’s collegiate teaching career at York College of Pennsylvania spanned 14 years until his retirement in the spring of 2012.

Wayne’s wit, humor, effervescence, and larger-than-life persona made him a truly magnetic force. Many of Wayne’s former students have kept in touch, thanking him for helping to nurture and grow their talent, love, and appreciation for music, by being such a powerful influence in their lives. Wayne’s successful and rewarding career in music education, at both high school and college levels, extended over 37 years and impacted the lives of countless students.

Upon retirement, Wayne moved to Perham, Minnesota, to be closer to his family, including his two daughters (who had returned to Minnesota), his infant granddaughter, aging parents, and siblings.

For the past several years, Wayne truly enjoyed his “retirement job” as manager of two townhome communities in Perham. He was both respected and beloved by the tenants of these communities.

Wayne lived an extraordinary life… but his greatest achievements and sources of pride, were his three children… Megan, Gavin, and Brittany. They were his entire world. Wayne marveled at the new levels of intense love when he became Grandpa Wayne. Wayne would say, “My grandkids are the air that I breathe!” His love and devotion to his children and grandchildren was immeasurable and eternal. He cherished them above all else.

Wayne is survived by his three children, Megan (Nick) Adamczyk of Perham, MN, Gavin Romer of St. George, UT, and Brittany Romer (Andrew Blesener) of Detroit Lakes, MN; five grandchildren, Mira(11), William(8), and Everly(2) Adamczyk, and Bella(11) and Aria(8) Romer; former spouses, Judy (Burton) Parry and Karen Riley; sisters, Julie Cresap and Nancy (Barry) Thorvilson; brother, Steve (Kathy) Romer; and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his brother, Scott Romer; sister, Kari (Romer) Dittberner; and his parents, Duane “Sonny” Romer and Charlene (Larson) Romer.

A “Celebration of Life” Open House hosted by Wayne’s family is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Perham Lakeside Golf Course in Perham, Minnesota. There will be a time for sharing remembrances of Wayne from 3-4 pm. Family and friends are encouraged to come equipped with funny and fond memories of Wayne. This is meant to be a celebratory gathering, as was Wayne’s request. Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com