Ted Aschan
February 26, 2008
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Service Details
Rev. Ted A. Aschan was born March 23, 1933 to Carl W. and Inez Aschan in Des Moines, IA. Ted ran through the pearly gates to meet face to face with his Lord and Savior on February 26, 2008 in Des Moines, IA.
He was educated in the Des Moines Public Schools and at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Ted earned a AB degree at the University of Missouri and his MA at Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He received his teaching certificate in MO. And did further studies in Texas. Ted was taking music education in Christianity for 9 years. He was ordained as a Baptist Minister and served 13 years in Coffey, MO as well as other places.
Ted taught school in Missouri, Rosebud, SD, Mexia, Texas and at most elementary schools in the Des Moines Public Schools. He substituted at numerous other Iowa School Districts. Through out his career he gave piano lessons.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents, Carl W, and Inez (Patterson), his brother, Carl and nephew Clint. He is survived by his brothers, Larry (Donna) of Springhill, and Terry (Margaret) of Des Moines. As well as many many nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will take place at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 2pm. There will be a visitation for one hour prior to the service. Rev. Craig Wagner will officiate at the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Aschan, Terry Aschan Sr., Rodney Harrington, Terry Aschan Jr., and Nolan Aschan. Teds cremated remains will be buried at a later date in Webb Cemetery, Spring Hill, IA.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Ted’s family in his loving memory.
Don A. Prindle
03/02/2008
My purpose is not only to offer my condolences to the family (Larry & Terry) of Teddy Aschan, but to offer some examples from my memory bank about Teddy Aschan (we knew him as Teddy, not Ted; believe real name was Theodore).
The information about his length of stay in Coffey, Missouri, where we first met, is not accurate. As near as we can tell at this point, he served as pastor of the Coffey Baptist Church for about 7 years (? 8).
I learned of his death via an e-mail on February 29th from Eunice Holcomb in Bethany, Missouri. Her niece found the obituary in the Des Moines paper and sent the information to Eunice (Eunice also a close friend of Teddy).
I relayed the information about his death to cousins in Albany, who knew him well, and our son and daughter. I was asked whether I was planning to attend the funeral (celebration) and I told them I was scheduled to play for a funeral here on the exact same day and time (March 1st at 2:00 p.m.).
I last talked with Teddy on the phone in a very lengthy conversation. Even though he was in pain much of the time, he really "perked up" when we started discussing music. I had sent him CDs which included recordings we had made together (organ & piano or piano & piano). He said he did not have any recordings of his playing, so I sent him another CD, which contained all of the recordings I made of Teddy playing.
Teddy and I first met at a home in the south end of Coffey and we never did forget our first time playing the piano together. The piano had a "banjo" pedal and I think both of us thought of the same number to play. It was "Swanee River." What a way to start our musical journey.
Teddy used to stay all night in my parents' home and I can never forget perhaps the #1 dog in my life being sent upstairs to get Teddy out of bed. Just a simple command from my mother to my dog, "Snoball, to go get Teddy out of bed," was all that was required for the dog to rapidly go up the stairs, jump on the bed, and start licking his face.
Lon Ann and I were married by Teddy. I think he was much more nervous than we were during the ceremony. After our marriage, he spent much time in our home, even after he left Coffey and moved to Gladstone. We would also drop by to visit him. I later played for a gospel quartet (all music majors). The quartet performed in his church in Camden Point and Teddy really became involved with the members of the quartet; would occasionally be at our rehearsals, etc.
I couldn't begin to count the hours we spent playing either the organ and piano or two pianos together. He would start out playing some song I had never heard and I would "jump in" and start playing with him. We also played a few written arrangements, but most of it was just improvising. One of the numbers (instrumental only) was loved by one member of the church so much that he requested we play it very often. That was "Assurance March" and it is one of those that was on the CD sent to Teddy.
One of the things I'll never forget what a "shock" it was for Teddy to come in the home of my Aunt Bessie McClung while I was playing a classical piano number. I had never told him that I had a degree in music with piano as my major instrument. I had graduated from college in 1950 (We think Teddy came to Coffey in 1953.) and was still playing much classical music, but my background also included a lot of "ear playing," perhaps the reason that I could improvise (plus knowledge of chords, harmony, etc.).
There wasn't any doubt that Teddy "sort of" considered me to be his mentor concerning the piano, perhaps because of my being a few years older than he was plus knowing that I had a degree in music. He even claimed that I taught him many things about playing the piano.
Teddy was excellent in playing the piano or organ (we also played the accordion together a few times); especially had excellent skill in improvising. He also read music much better than he claimed.
I have been associated with many ministers (secretary to one here for 15 years and presently secretary to a new pastor) plus being a church organist or pianist for about 60 years. This year will mark my 30th year as church organist and choir accompanist here (First Baptist Church of Sweet Springs).
No minister will ever be closer to my heart than Teddy Aschan.
I could write several more pages about non-music experiences with Teddy, but perhaps I should close by saying that not one time did I find anything bad to say about Teddy Aschan. We were friends in all ways, he was an excellent pastor, and I'll forever miss the many musical hours we spent together.
My consolation is that Teddy will be in heaven, perhaps directing a choir or playing the piano or organ for a heavenly choir.
Eunice Holcomb
03/03/2008
I wish to send my condolences as we had many good times with Teddy also. Whenever I heard Teddy Aschan's name, I automatically thought "MUSIC" as we had spent many hours listening to he and Don play; it never got old. I have a picture of him holding my daughter when she was a baby; in fact we have several pictures of him as my husband loved to take pictures and I am sure he and Teddy are greeting each other now. Don has given me tapes and a CD of him and Teddy playing and I will cherish them forever. We were always glad to see Teddy when he came back for a funeral or the 100th anniversary and he and Don played once again to everyones' enjoyment. He moved away when my daughter was 5 years old but she still remembers Teddy well. He had been to our home many times and when Don & Lon Ann or Don's mother would have family dinners, we would always have their music. Three weeks ago I had him so stongly on my mind and thought "I have got to call him", but didn't do it right then. I am sorry I didn't at other times also. Please accept my sympathy and we will always remember "TEDDY".
Donna Dewey
03/01/2008
I just happened to come upon Ted's obituary yesterday in the Des Moines Register, and probably wouldn't have even read it, but for some reason his name sounded familiar. I'm so glad I read it now because I have learned that Ted was Pastor of Coffey Baptist Church in Coffey, Missouri, many years ago. I live in Indianola, Iowa, but my Grandparents (Cecil and Carol Holcomb - now deceased) were members of Coffey Baptist. (As were many other relatives.) I still have a couple of Aunts and an Uncle that are members there. I grew up visiting that church many times (and still do) on occasion.
I just passed Ted's obituary on to a relative that is still a member of Coffey Baptist Church and she was very sad to hear of Ted's passing. She has many fond memories of Ted, and commented on how wonderful of a musician he was. In fact, she has a tape of Ted and a friend playing piano and organ duets. I am looking forward to hearing it next time I visit.
Even though I did not know Ted personally, it must have been the Lord that I went ahead and read his obituary - so I could pass it on to family members in Missouri who did know him. I know that there will be a deep void in your lives with Ted gone, but at least we know he's with the Lord, rejoicing with Jesus.
Please accept my condolences and know that you are in my prayers.
Donna Dewey
Kent and Kay holcomb
03/01/2008
Teddy was not only our pastor, he was our friend. He shared in tying the knot
for us 43 years a go,guess he did a good job. I am sure it is true he
raced thru the pearly gates. I know it must have been difficult for
him in the later years of his life,also for his care givers.He did try in to appear positive when we talked to him and the one time we stopped by. we
many great memories of Teddy,it is sad I failed to call more often.