Former prominent Anchorage resident Charles Murray North, Ph.D., died peacefully in his sleep April 10, 2010, in Bellevue, Wash. He was 83.
He was born May 17, 1926, to Charles and Rose North in Twin Falls, Idaho.
"Dr. North exemplified the true 'pioneer' spirit," his family wrote. "He started on this pioneering path early ... he, his wife Michi, and their two children moved to the Territory of Alaska in 1957.
"There, he was responsible for creating the music department at Alaska Methodist University, as well as serving as a professor and music department head. In addition to full-time teaching, Dr. North's dedicated work led to his founding and conducting the Civic-University Symphony Orchestra. He was also awarded the Alaska Press Club's Outstanding Citizen Award (1964) and the Alaska Methodist University Distinguished Service Award for 'Performance Civic-University Orchestra 1964-1965 Session.' Dr. North was an integral part of the Alaska Festival and worked closely with the famous choral director and conductor Robert Shaw in numerous concerts in Anchorage.
"During this exciting time, he was also asked to participate in Alaska statehood ceremonies (1959), be part of the very first commercial flight into Dawson-Yukon and participate in helping the community during the Good Friday Alaska earthquake of 1964.
"Dr. North's professional career saw him hold numerous music-fine arts deanships and chairmanships at several prestigious universities, including Western Washington University, Willamette University, University of Maine and University of Nebraska-Omaha. Later he returned to Bellevue, Wash., where he served as the executive director of the Pacific Northwest School of Music.
"Murray's ambitious spirit was also reflected in his passion for music and higher education. He earned four college degrees: a Bachelor of Science (double major in chemistry/zoology with minor in English) from Northwestern University; a Bachelor of Music from the Chicago Musical College, where he studied under the renowned piano pedagogue Dr. Rudolph Ganz; and a Master's of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music. He had strong expertise in a wide array of other academic fields as well, including U.S. and world history, classical art, literature, astronomy, and Japanese culture.
"Murray's pioneering nature was molded by a family history that included his grandparents' immigration from Ireland and their participation in building the trans-Continental Railroad and the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893. As a child growing up in Twin Falls, Idaho, he lived through the Great Depression. During high school, Murray lettered in track and football and also won the Idaho state championships in oratory/speech and piano.
"After high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he qualified as a B-17 pilot training in Biloxi, Miss., during World War II. After the war, Murray attended Northwestern University, where his interest focused on music and pre-medicine. Here, while performing in a prestigious piano competition, he met a prodigious concert pianist from Japan. While Michi Hirata won the competition, Murray won her heart, and they married shortly thereafter. Their 55-year marriage resulted in an exciting professional and personal life together that included raising five sons.
"Murray was a strong man with a kind and giving heart. His insightful vision and wisdom will be deeply missed by all. His many interests and activities included being an avid reader, U.S. Civil War and world historian, baseball coach, and world traveler. While always busy, his incredible dedication and commitment to his family was always his top priority."
He is survived by his wife, Michi; his five sons, Michael, Thomas, David, Kevin and Brian; their wives; 12 grandchildren; and his sister, Marilyn Wilkins and her family of Anchorage.
Private family ceremonies were held April 15, 2010, at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.
"He was a great man and will be deeply missed," his family said.
Visit the online memorial at legacy.com