Centenary community mourns death of professor, plans commemorative event

Dr. Ron Bukoff

SHREVEPORT, La.— Ronald N. Bukoff passed away suddenly on July 8, 2008 at his home. A valued member of the faculty of Centenary College of Louisiana since 1996, Dr. Bukoff was the Director of the Hurley School of Music Library and an Associate Professor of Music.

Ron Bukoff was born on July 2, 1955 to Thora and Nick Bukoff, both of whom predeceased him. Born in Hawaii during his father's military service, Ron was raised in Michigan. He is survived by his brothers, Russell W. Bukoff and partner Jeffrey Yap of Pasadena, Calif.; and Roderik Bukoff of Boudry, Switzerland.

Dr. Bukoff held both a PhD in Musicology and an M.L.S. in Library and Information Science. His bachelor's degree in Music History was from Chapman College, while his advanced degrees were from Indiana University and Cornell University. Before coming to Centenary College, Dr. Bukoff was Administrator for the Butler Library at Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa.

A talented bassoonist, Dr. Bukoff gave regular faculty recitals and performed with regional symphonies in the Ark-La-Tex. He also played both oboe and English horn with organizations such as the Shreveport Metropolitan Band. A composer as well as a performer, Ron Bukoff wrote a number of works for bass-baritone and bassoon, and edited other works for bassoon and voice. He published articles in a number of scholarly periodicals related to the field of library science and of popular culture, and was a frequent presenter at conferences such as the Music Library Association. He was a regular supporter of many charitable organizations, particularly the Special Olympics and the Southeast Chapter of the Music Library Association. Under his guidance, the Hurley School of Music Library added a number of important collections to its holdings, including the David Redwine Opera Recordings and the Wayne Sanders Broadway Sheet Music collections.

Dr. Bukoff was much loved and respected by his students, who enjoyed his vast knowledge of music, his helpfulness to them in research projects and his quirky sense of humor. Ron's love of Hawaii, his cats, his inexplicable affection for all things flamingo, his loyalty to his friends and his stalwart support of the School of Music and the wider musical community of Shreveport will be long-remembered by his students and friends.

A commemorative event in memory of Dr. Bukoff will take place at Centenary College on Saturday, September 6. Memorial contributions in honor of Ron Bukoff may be made to the music library at Centenary College or a charity of the donor's choice.