Milton Scheuermann Obituary

A light has gone out...

I am the son of Audrey and Carter Crawford, who played with Milton in the New Orleans Musica da Camera for many years. Early music is an important and joyous part of my life because of their experiences with him there. They loved playing with him and I've always loved hearing their stories about him.

I'd like to share an homage to Milton that I've written:

The Urn Pristine and Dignified
Ode to Milton

There in view it rests
Smoothly and silently
Pristine and dignified
Small white model of classical monument

Ordered columns, cornice
Precise, neat, symmetrical
Mimic of he that it contains
Elegant urn securing remains of elegant life

Life of joy
Life of giving
Life of creation
So large a life now so merely housed

Dear Margie,
I am a cousin of Milton who reached out to him in 2020 when I working on the Scheuermann family tree. Our grandparents had 4 children, one died in early childhood, another, Leoda died in the early 1940's with no children and my dad, Lester Sr. died in 1968. After my only sibling, Frank, died with no children that left Milton and I as the only decendents of Augustina & Frank Scheuermann. It is with some sadness that I just learned about Milton's death last month. I decided to reach out to him to share with him information about a guitar I have that belonged to our great grandfather. When I couldn't locate your address from my previous contact, my wife found Milton's obituary online. I recently came across this instrument while cleaning out a closet and decided to take a careful look. It turns out that it is a Martin guitar made in the 1890's. Knowing Milton's musical background I thought he would have appreciated knowing that this instrument is a family heirloom.

Please accept my condolence.

Sincerely,
Lester Scheuermann

I was a student of Professor Scheuermann's in the early 2000s, and I think of his Architecture and Mysticism class fondly and often. He shepherded me through a project on the history and design of labyrinths, so they always remind me of the class when I happen upon them (and I can rarely resist detouring through them). He was a wonderful teacher who expanded my vision of what architecture could be.

Dear Margie,

The Labouisse Family remembers you and Milton with much love. I think I first remember meeting you both when you both were working at Monroe´s father´s architectural practice!

Milton had so many other unique talents and interests! But especially was his love for classical music, which Monroe shared with him. Milton was a unique individual and you were his soulmate. Lots of love from us all, Margie....Erica Labouisse

Milton´s passing leaves a large void in the lives of his many friends and, indeed, the city of New Orleans. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the privilege of enjoying Milton as a friend over the last 61 years. Subsequent to taking on his challenging drafting problems in my freshman year at Tulane, I had the joy of working summers in Parham and Labouisse´s office with both Milton and Margie. Milton inspired me and taught me b&w printing in his and my darkrooms, and he gave me piano lessons and engendered an interest in medieval and early music - resulting in my learning to play soprano and tenor recorders.. He was always a very positive, precise, and meticulous person, as well as an exacting and talented craftsman and a down to earth unique New Orleanian. Over the years, following dinners with Milton and Margie, we would often be treated to a mini magic show by him. He was truly an incredible renaissance man, and I know that Margie will miss him greatly. Carole and I offer our deepest sympathies.

Milton Scheuermann was one of my teachers. I believe I was one of his first students at Tulane University. I am sorry to learn of his departure and I fear I was not a very good student but I did come away from my experience at Tulane with a love of architecture, a love of drawing and an understanding of how buildings should fit into the fabric of the community in which they exist. For those things I am grateful to Mr Scheuermann and all who joined with him in trying to instill in "a bunch of ungrateful mavericks" a love of the discipline of Architecture. Respectfully,

Like many of us at Tulane Architecture coming from college prep high schools, I had to learn how to draw. Prof. Scheuermann taught us how to see objects in space and then be able to draw them. This is essential for an architect. Not too surprisingly, Milton drew what he saw in museums around the world and then built his own medieval musical instruments. He was gracious enough to play with Musica da Camera at my wedding to Susan. To say that he meant a lot in my life would be a huge understatement. Which Milton would take with his usual dry wit. Rest in Peace, Professor.

Prof. Scheuermann and his loving wife, Margie, touched my heart with their kindness to me and other Tulane Architecture students. I remain very fond of them both. Milton taught me how to play the recorder and I thoroughly enjoyed Musica da Camera´s beautiful music played on their unique medieval and Baroque instruments. Milton´s lighthearted enthusiasm was uplifting and regenerative amidst the stress of the 5-year program. Margie, I am so sorry for your loss.
- Betsy Baldridge Egan (class of `73)

Milton's enthusiastic sharing of his mastery of so many fields brought joy to his friends and students. For my students he brought a wonderful performance of medieval music and instrument craft that brought that age alive for them. It was a memory we all will treasure.

Requiescat in pace.

Over the course of 19 years, Milton was a big part of my family, my constant champion (even for some of my "not so great" ideas), and inspired me to be a better person on a multitude of levels. From helping me appreciate that when one allows worries to needlessly occupy space in your head, "it is like hitting your head with a hammer - you will be so glad when you stop" - he would remind me to inspiring me that one should always prioritize "going dancing in the streets". Like many students, musicians and dear friends, we were blessed to be in the orbit of an incredibly talented, kind and generous soul. I will miss him so very much. Love Kat

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

A lovely man, congenial neighbor, and a New Orleans treasure.

In mourning, "heavenly" music selected by Milton himself: https://www.wwno.org/show/musica-da-cameras-continuum/2024-05-05/continuum-heavenly-creatures

On a cold winter´s evening, when our family was visiting New Orleans, Milton and Margie hosted our family for Christmas Eve Dinner! They didn´t know us but knew our daughter. What a wonderful invitation and Margie´s dinner was a gourmet delight. Milton regaled us with stories and lovely music. Their dear neighbors, the Johnsons added to an evening of great food and conversation.
Thank you to a welcoming and charming couple. Billie Jo Rylance

Margie, we offer our sincere condolences on Milton's passing.

Milton, his wife Margie, and his parents were lifelong friends. We started with childhood piano lessons in the early 1950s. Milton's parents lived two blocks away. He began teaching me, and later my younger sister, at weekly back-to-back piano lessons.

We shared other interests including architecture and photography. I particularly remember that he built me a geodesic globe using balsa wood sticks and my mother's thread. We called it the "Bucky Ball" after Buckminster Fuller, it's inventor. He also constructed a scale model of the second airport terminal in New Orleans. The model was on display at the airport terminal for decades while the airport continued to expand.

During his time in the military, his own music teacher took over Milton's students for the duration. When he returned from active duty, we all took up where we had left off two years earlier.

Milton was a wonderful person with a host of unusual skills and the world, his city and I will certainly miss his manifold contributions.

The last time I saw Milton was at a recital by his long-term singer and partner on public radio, Thais St. Julien who was performing at St. Partrick's Church on Camp Street. While not Catholic, Milton loved early church music and played both the organ and the harpsichord, in addition to the piano. In fact, he built his own harpsichord for use at home and at his recitals. He even hand carved the elaborate rosette which embellished the soundboard of that instrument.

Milton was a wonderful person with a host of unusual skills and the world, his city and I will certainly miss his manifold contributions.

Milton was a true Renaissance Man -- talented in so many fields, including art, architecture, music, photography, and magic. He became an expert in any field that interested him. He taught me basic architectural drawing at Tulane in 1964 and became a mentor. Later, he became a valued colleague when I taught at the Tulane School of Architecture in the late 1970's. Milton and his lovely wife Margie "adopted" me as a student and have remained close to me ever since. I will miss him deeply.

I was a student at Tulane School of Architecture in the late 1970s and Prof. Scheuermann might very well have been the most influential teacher in all those years. He taught the simple things, from vanishing points in perspective to principles of time management. But above all, he exemplified a profound love of craft, an approach to life that I carry with me to this day.

Thank you for all your lessons, Milton! You will be missed.

Milton was my piano teacher for 10 years, 1955-1965 approx. An amazing musician and teacher. I grew up in the neighborhood his parents lived in, and I remember when he and Margie met and married. He left an indelible mark on me and my relationship with music. He even played at my wedding. RIP after a life very well lived, Maestro!