Himie Voxman, who was renowned for his contributions to musical education, died Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011, in Iowa City. He was 99.

Voxman was a student at the University of Iowa and later a faculty member. He recieved a Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering in 1933 and a Master’s in 1934 but his passion later turned to music. In 1954 he assumed the position formerly held by Phillip Clapp (of whom Clapp Recital Hall on the university campus is dedicated,) as director of the school of music, a position he held until his retirement in 1980. In 1995 The Voxman Music Building at the university was named in his honor. Again in 2008 the university honored him, this time with an honorary doctorate. Because of his devotion to his work, Voxman became one of the nation’s most well-known and respected musical educators.

World class musicians have been students of Voxman’s, including the classical saxophonist Eugene Rousseau. He also has ties to Simon Estes, a world renowned operatic bass-baritone. Estes recently performed at City High School as part of his tour of Iowa counties. At the performance, Voxman was present, and during one of Estes’s speeches, Voxman was recognized for both his contributions to both Estes’s personal life, as well as the world of music. He also commented on Voxman’s vitality, referring to him as young at heart. Just a few short weeks following the performance, Voxman died. He was “99 years young.”