Erich Kunzel Jr. ’57


Erich Kunzel Jr. ’57 died September 2, 2009, at his home on Swan’s Island, Maine, of cancer of the pancreas, liver and colon. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Brunhilde. Coming to Dartmouth from Greenwich (Connecticut) High School, Erich’s musical talent and later career success were evident in his involvement with the Glee Club, the Marching Band and the Handel Society. He also was a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club, Germania and the Council of Student Organizations. Following Dartmouth Erich attended Harvard and earned a master’s from Brown. Erich joined the Cincinnati Symphony in 1965 as an associate conductor and in 1977 became the founding conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. Erich conducted orchestras around the world and was in China when he received the 2006 National Medal of Arts from President Bush. In his 50th reunion statement Erich quoted Nietzche: “Without music, life would be a mistake.”