Douglas “Doug” Craig Talbott (1944-2023)
Douglas “Doug” Craig Talbott, 78, passed away on Aug. 26, 2023, at his home in Lindsborg, Kan., with his family by his side. He was born to the late L. Stanley and the late M. Pauline (Pennington) Talbott on Nov. 21, 1944, in Ft. Benning, Ga., where his dad was stationed with the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Doug attended Pratt, Kan., public schools through his sophomore year. His family moved to Russell, Kan., where he graduated from Russell High School in 1962. Doug found a love for tennis during his high school time and started his tennis coaching career working with youth through the Russell Rec Department.
Following in his parents’ footsteps, Doug enrolled at Bethany College in 1962. Doug was a member of the successful Bethany tennis teams from 1962-1966. He pledged and became an active member of the Pi Sigma Chi fraternity in 1963. In spring 1966, he graduated from Bethany College with a degree in music education.
In fall 1966, he accepted the position of instrumental music director for grades 5-12 in Ellsworth, Kan. Along with numerous bands and ensembles, Doug would also teach music theory. Doug was selected as a USD 327 Outstanding Young Educator. In addition to teaching, Doug coached freshman boys’ basketball and high school boys’ tennis.
In summer 1968, he was introduced to the person who would soon become his lifelong partner, Linda Svaty, who was home from Fort Hays State University for the summer. On Feb. 15, 1969, they were united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth, Kan. In addition to teaching in Ellsworth, he was choir director for the Presbyterian Church. Doug taught in Ellsworth from 1966 to spring 1971, resigning to attend Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan., as a graduate assistant to complete his music education Master’s Degree. While at Hays, Doug and Linda became the proud parents of a son, Matthew Sean, on May 11, 1972.
After receiving his Master’s Degree, Doug and his family moved to Nickerson, Kan., where he became the Nickerson High School band director and taught music theory. The Marching Panther Band performed at the halftimes of college football games and at the Tri-State Festival in Enid, Okla. Doug was selected as an outstanding educator for USD 309, Nickerson, Kan. Doug also served as choir director for the Nickerson Methodist Church from 1972-1978. During their time in Nickerson, Doug coached freshman boys’ basketball and high school girls’ tennis. He also enjoyed being a tennis pro at Prairie Dunes Country Club, Hutchinson, Kan.
During spring 1978, Doug made the decision to accept the director of bands and music theory position at Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kan. He became the music department chair and the Kansas Community College Honor Band Chair. For nine summers, Doug enjoyed being the director of the El Dorado City Band, which presented a concert in the park every Thursday evening in June and July. The Butler Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the New Orleans and Reno Jazz Festivals. As the director of bands for BCCC he hosted concerts and clinics by Maynard Ferguson, Woody Hermann, Buddy Rich, Ed Shaughnessy and Mike Steinel.
On Sept. 14, 1979, Doug and Linda, along with son Matt, were blessed with the birth of twins, Mark David and Traci Liane.
Doug received a call from Bethany College, his alma mater, asking if he would be interested in pursuing the position of alumni director. This was a position his dad had held for many years at Bethany. Doug had always said that if the college ever needed him, he would be there to help. New Years Eve 1987, the family packed up and headed to Lindsborg, Kan. From 1988-1990, Doug served as Director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving, organizing the Phone-a-Rama, the McPherson and Lindsborg Giving Campaigns, alumni gatherings throughout the state and nation and served as the college faculty representative and president of the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce for two terms. While serving as alumni director, he organized the clinic and concert by Maynard Ferguson and his band in Presser Hall. He received the Meredith Humphries Excellence in Teaching Award and was appointed professor emeritus of music.
In 1990, Doug was presented the opportunity to apply for the unexpected opening for director of Bands for Smoky Valley High School. Missing teaching and directing, Doug was excited to be selected as the next director of bands for Smoky Valley High School, which included all bands, music theory and teaching a leadership class. The symphonic band was selected to represent Kansas in the Washington, D.C., Festival of States, with Governor Graves personally presenting a commendation certificate to the band. They performed at the Worlds of Fun band competition. The Marching Viking Band was selected as the Honor Band for Hyllningsfest and performed at halftime of the Bethany College Homecoming game. Doug coached the high school girls’ tennis team and middle school boys’ basketball team for the Smoky Valley school system.
In 2000, Doug was excited to apply for and be selected to be director of bands for his beloved alma mater, Bethany College. From 2000-2010, he directed the numerous bands, was a studio instructor and taught secondary music education methods to future music teachers. Doug was the student teacher supervisor, head of the music education program, recipient of the Donna Meredith Humphries Award for Teaching/Advisement and Guidance and sponsor for the Associated Music Students of Bethany College. The Bethany Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform in Branson, Mo., as the opening act for Puttin’ on the Ritz and Legends in Concert Shows. The jazz ensemble was also selected to be the opening act for opening day of the 50th Anniversary of Silver Dollar City. The jazz ensemble was selected to play in the “Rock the Boat Festivals at Sea” aboard the M.S. Fascination and also the Music Festivals Bahamas Cruise Tour aboard the Majesty of the Seas. While director of bands for Bethany, he served as the fine arts division chair, retiring in 2010.
From 2010 to his passing, Doug served as an adjunct professor of music education for Bethany, was a Kansas State Department of Education reviewer for Kansas college and University music education programs and remained active as a guest clinician/director and adjudicator. Throughout his career, Doug was an active member of various musical associations including national and state education associations, Kansas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the Kansas Bandmasters Association. Doug was a member and guest director for the Heart of America Concert Band from 1996-2014. Doug directed the Bethany All-Star Jazz Band in 2016. In addition, Doug enjoyed other Lindsborg community musical involvement — the Trinity United Methodist Church choir singing and serving as music director for several years, being a member of the Salemsborg Lutheran Church choir, being a part of Broadway RFD as both a pit orchestra director and member and directing the Lindsborg Community 4th of July band from 1990-2016.
Besides his love for God and his family, teaching music was Doug’s life passion and career. Along with music, his love for tennis and sharing his knowledge of the sport was just as important to him. Doug coached his kids and grandkids. Doug was an important part of the coaching staff for Bethany College Tennis Camps for many years, where he also helped start a high school girls’ tennis camp. Doug ran the Lindsborg Affiliated Tennis Tournaments that began decades ago and continue today. He was the Lindsborg Recreation head tennis coach for many years and continued to serve as an assistant in recent years. Doug was co-founder of the Lindsborg Netters Junior Tennis Club. Doug was still coaching tennis to the youth of Smoky Valley until his passing. Doug was an avid follower and supporter of his grandkids’ various activities and enjoyed helping them whenever they needed, or asked for, assistance.
Survivors include his beloved wife and companion for over 54 years, Linda, of the home; sons Matt Talbott (Deb) of Ellsworth, Kan., and Mark (Serah) of Lindsborg, Kan.; daughter: Traci (Chris) of Lindsborg, Kan.: grandchildren Danielle, Paige and Jaide Talbott, Ellsworth; Koltin Talbott, Eagle, Colo.; Gabriel and Ezekiel Baker, Lindsborg; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews plus countless friends.
Cremation has been chosen. A Celebration of Life with light meal will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Salemsborg Lutheran Church, 3831 W. Salemsborg Rd, Smolan, Kan. The service will be live streamed on Salemsborg’s YouTube channel, Salemsborg Lutheran.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Doug Talbott Memorial Fund. Please note in the memo designation of memorial to Talbott Instrumental Assistance Fund, Angel Arms Home Health or Salemsborg Lutheran Church. Memorials may be mailed to Farmers State Bank, 447 N. Harrison St., Lindsborg, KS 67456.