41. Roger Harry⁵ Busdicker (Harry John⁴, Henry Mathias Jr³, Henry Mathias Sr², Henry¹) (#1739) was born August 26, 1917.

He married Martha Ann Fakler December 27, 1938. (Martha Ann Fakler is #2077.) Martha was born June 10, 1917. Martha was the daughter of David Hassinger Falker and Laura K. Johnson. Martha died December 13, 1995 at 78 years of age.

Roger's occupation: Music Educator & Publisher. He was a student. School: Music and History. At 28 years of age Roger became the father of Susan Jane Busdicker October 20, 1945. At 32 years of age Roger became the father of Judith Ann Busdicker September 12, 1949. At 37 years of age Roger became the father of Joan Lee Busdicker October 23, 1954. The following was provided by Pamela Jean Busdicker (#1745 in Feb 2002) about Roger: Grew up and graduated High School in Lewiston, MN in 1934. Family moved to Winona, MN in 1934 and then attended Winona State Teachers College. On graduation in 1938 with majors in Music and History, married Martha Fakler and took job as H.S. band director at Clarissa, MN. To Mabel, MN as HS band director in 1940 to 1943. Entered service in 1943 in Air Force. Graduated Navigation school in 1944, commissioned 2nd Lt. and assigned Navigation instructor at Navigation School in San Marcos Texas. Early 1945 assigned to B24 bomber crew and set to go European Theater when VE Day ntervened. Assigned to B29 training in Mountain Home Idaho Base. Promoted to 1st Lt. Short training period and then VJ day. On return to MN in 1945, accepted position as Director of Bands at Winona State College. Teamed with two former college friends and founded the Hal Leonard Publishing Co. Was its President for nearly 40 years and watched it grow from a pup to the largest music print publisher in the world. Retired when Company was sold in 1985.

Started Genealogy Research with Personal Ancestral File.8/31/90 with the vast amount of information compiled by my Mother, Edna Rogers Busdicker.

Hal Leonard Orchestra - A popular dance band in the upper Midwest that also played the ballrooms in Chicago. The style of the band was similar to the type of dance music performed by Dick Jurgens and Hal Kemp. The band was founded by two brothers, Harold (Hal) and Everett (Leonard) Edstrom and their friend Roger Busdicker.The band existed from the late 30's into the early 40's when Roger and Everett entered service during WWII. After the war, Hal Edstrom and Busdicker became high school band directors and Everett re-formed the Hal Leonard Orchestra and took it back on the road for several years. The Edstroms also started a music store in 1945. When the band broke up, the Edstroms and Busdicker began selling arrangements of popular music for school bands. They continued to expand their music publishing business with self-help books and the acquisition of printing rights to music from the original publishers. The publishing company was formed in 1946. In 1985, Hal Leonard was purchased from the original founders by an internal management team led by the Keith Mardak, the current president. The corporation is now the world's largest in the music print industry. Harold is now deceased, but Everett is living in California (according to recent information from the Winona County Archives). Roger Busdicker still lives in Winona.

Roger Harry Busdicker and Martha Ann Fakler had the following children:

+ 56 i. Susan Jane⁶ Busdicker was born October 20, 1945.

+ 57 ii. Judith Ann Busdicker was born September 12, 1949.

+ 58 iii. Joan Lee Busdicker was born October 23, 1954.

Send email to preparer: family@busdkr.com

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