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William F. Ludwig Jr.

drumhead101541 - Tue, 03/25/2008 - 15:05 | 3,409 views

I can't believe he passed away... My personal favorite drum was the Ludwig Supraphonic 402 snare drum. It is for sure a great representation of the work and craftmanship that "The Chief" contributed to. What was your favorite creation from Ludwig?

Less is more!

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Dave Heim Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Friday, Jul 11, 2008 - 5:09 PM

[quote author=smoggrocks link=topic=13.msg304#msg304 date=1215810345]
very cool. sounds like a fitting service for a beloved man. i'll think of my supraphonic in better context now. :)
[/quote]

It was a very moving service. Many, many drummers there as you might imagine.

I was sitting in the back, directly behind (as I realized afterwards) Al Payson, former principal snare drummer for the Chicago Symphony, and PAS Hall of Famer. I remember reading all about him in Ludwig Drummer Magazine when I was a kid (and he was in his heyday).

smoggrocks Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Friday, Jul 11, 2008 - 5:05 PM

very cool. sounds like a fitting service for a beloved man. i'll think of my supraphonic in better context now. :)

drumhead101541 Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 - 10:12 AM

Wow

drumfreak Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 - 8:17 PM

Wow thanks for sharing that with us Dave! It sounds like it was a considerate memorial.

Dave Heim Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 - 6:01 PM

I worked for Ludwig for several years while they were still located in Chicago. I've kept in touch with Bill Ludwig III, so I was aware of Bill II's declining health.

I attended the memorial service for William F. Ludwig II on April 19.

The service was held at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Il, a suburb just west of Chicago. The church was selected because it was where Mr. Ludwig and his wife Marguerite were married; it is where his children (son William F. Ludwig III, and daughter Brooke) were baptized and confirmed. The Chief enjoyed playing tympani here on Easter Sunday.

The vestibule of the church contained a display of photos and many of the amazing rope-tensioned marching drums from Mr. Ludwig's collection.

Upon entering the church - which was quite filled - I was handed a program of the service, a book of some of the remembrances friends and family sent to Bill III and Brooke, a copy of the obituary, and a 'prayer card' featuring a photo of The Chief and the following poem:

[center]Don't grieve for me, for now I am free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of the day
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life has been full, I've savored much
Good friends, good times,
a loved one's touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free!
[/center]

In a small loft above and left of the altar were the musicians: Organist, two trumpets, two trombones, and tympani.

Emotional remembrances were given by Brooke, Bill III, and Bill's young daughter Maggie Mae (The Chief's grand daughter). Bill III got a laugh when he asked: "Are there any drummers in the room?"

Brooke told us her father was very patriotic (he served in the Navy). He flew an American flag every day at their home. And when new neighbors moved into the area, her dad would give them an American flag as a welcome gift and encourage them to erect a flag pole (she said many of them did exactly that).

The sending hymn "Abide by Me" featured the brass, tympani, and organist. When that hymn ended, several drummers, led by Bill III, took up places at the front of the church with the rope drums we all saw when we entered, and paraded down the aisle single file playing the snare drum piece Three Camps. The drummers arrived at the back of the church and took up positions across the back while continuing to play.

At the conclusion of Three Camps, with those in attendance facing the rear of the church, the trumpeters performed Taps from the loft at the front of the church.

This was quite an emotional, and at times, humorous service. Very well planned, very well executed. Fitting for The Chief.

I'm honored to have worked for him for the many years I was employed by Ludwig Drum Company, and I am equally honored to have had the opportunity to attend his memorial service.

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I worked for Ludwig for several years while they were still located in Chicago.&nbsp; I&#039;ve kept in touch with Bill Ludwig III, so I was aware of Bill II&#039;s declining health.&nbsp; I attended the memorial service for William F. Ludwig II on April 19. The service was held at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Il, a suburb just west of Chicago. The church was selected because it was where Mr. Ludwig and his wife Marguerite were married; it is where his children (son William F. Ludwig III, and daughter Brooke) were baptized and confirmed.&nbsp; The Chief enjoyed playing tympani here on Easter Sunday. The vestibule of the church contained a display of photos and many of the amazing rope-tensioned marching drums from Mr. Ludwig&#039;s collection. Upon entering the church - which was quite filled - I was handed a program of the service, a&nbsp; book of some of the remembrances friends and family sent to Bill III and Brooke, a copy of the obituary, and a &#039;prayer card&#039; featuring a photo of The Chief and the following poem: [center]Don&#039;t grieve for me, for now I am free I&#039;m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of the day If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Ah, yes, these things I too will miss Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow My life has been full, I&#039;ve savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one&#039;s touch Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don&#039;t lengthen it now with undue grief Lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free! [/center] In a small loft above and left of the altar were the musicians: Organist, two trumpets, two trombones, and tympani. Emotional remembrances were given by Brooke, Bill III, and Bill&#039;s young daughter Maggie Mae (The Chief&#039;s grand daughter).&nbsp; Bill III got a laugh when he asked: &quot;Are there any drummers in the room?&quot; Brooke told us her father was very patriotic (he served in the Navy).&nbsp; He flew an American flag every day at their home.&nbsp; And when new neighbors moved into the area, her dad would give them an American flag as a welcome gift and encourage them to erect a flag pole (she said many of them did exactly that). The sending hymn &quot;Abide by Me&quot; featured the brass, tympani, and organist.&nbsp; When that hymn ended, several drummers, led by Bill III, took up places at the front of the church with the rope drums we all saw when we entered, and paraded down the aisle single file playing the snare drum piece Three Camps.&nbsp; The drummers arrived at the back of the church and took up positions across the back while continuing to play. At the conclusion of Three Camps, with those in attendance facing the rear of the church, the trumpeters performed Taps from the loft at the front of the church. This was quite an emotional, and at times, humorous service.&nbsp; Very well planned, very well executed.&nbsp; Fitting for The Chief.&nbsp; I&#039;m honored to have worked for him for the many years I was employed by Ludwig Drum Company, and I am equally honored to have had the opportunity to attend his memorial service.

King Says Re: William F. Ludwig Jr.

Submitted On: Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008 - 8:44 AM

He will be missed. I can't think of a favorite, but the first drum kit I ever played on was a white Ludwig. My first marching drum was a Ludwig too....old school with the funky T-carrier and cat gut snares. Talk about heavy, the thing felt like it was made from cast iron!