In Memoriam: William “Ritchie” Clendenin

Dr. William “Ritchie” Clendenin, United States Marine Band veteran and professor emeritus of trumpet at California State University, Fresno, died on April 3, 2025. He was 82. 

Born in 1942, Clendenin earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1965, where his father worked as a musicologist. He went on to get his Master of Music from Yale University in 1967. 

Following graduation, he served his country in the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band during the Vietnam War. During that time, he performed on a regular basis at the White House.  In December 1967, he had the honor of performing as the trumpet soloist during Lynda Bird Johnson and Chuck Robb’s wedding in the White House, the daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

In 1973, Clendenin earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the same year began his tenure as Professor of Trumpet at Fresno State. He remained at Fresno State until his retirement in 2001.

“Ritchie was indeed a wonderful colleague, soft-spoken and kind.  He always had his students’ education and welfare in mind, and they knew this and adored him for this as well as his amazing artistry on the trumpet. As such, he was a wonderful model for their playing and teaching,” Dr. Thomas Heibert, professor of music at Fresno State, said.

“Ritchie was not only a kind and generous person but also an inspiring and encouraging teacher. His trumpet and cornet playing—whether during lessons or on stage—was truly world-class. I believe I speak for countless musician-educators who studied with Ritchie when I say that much of who we are as musicians is owed to him. He was, and remains, a legendary figure in the Central Valley music community. I’m deeply saddened by his passing,” Dr. Nathan J. Sobieralski, assistant professor of music at Fresno State, said.

During his time at Fresno State, Dr. Clendenin started a British Brass Band and donated the funds to purchase instruments unique to the ensemble. The band was featured at the College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Regional Convention in Reno, Nevada, during the 1990s.

“Dr. Clendenin was a gentle giant.  He was very tall but very humble and kind.  I never heard him raise his voice, and I never saw anything but kindness from the man.  He was a very mild-mannered gentleman,” Dr. Gary Gilroy, director of bands at Fresno State, said. 

A significant part of Clendenin’s legacy at Fresno State is his connection to the Clendenin Brass Quintet. The scholarship ensemble was established in 1991 by his mother, June Clendenin. Every year, she provided funding for five scholarships for brass students. In 2018, after her death, Ritchie Clendenin created a $300,000 endowment in memory of his mother.

“I made it a point to visit Dr. Clendenin and his mother every time I had a judging or conducting gig in Colorado,” said Gilroy. “Every time we went, part of the visit was a session with Ritchie playing solos while his Mom accompanied him on their grand piano in the living room. The last time I saw her, I think she was 94 years old, and she was still able to keep up with Ritchie. He was very good to his Mom. Together, they donated a lot of money to finance the Clendenin Brass Quintet over the years.”

The quintet performs on many occasions every year, including a formal recital every semester, the Music Department’s convocations, the College of Arts and Humanities’ convocations, as well as tours and plays at high schools and junior colleges.

Clendenin received the International Trumpet Guild Award of Merit in 2023. The award, traditionally given towards the end of their career, is presented to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the art of trumpet playing through performance, teaching, publishing, research, or composition. 

Following his retirement in 2001, Clendenin moved to Colorado, where he lived until his passing. During his retirement, he remained involved with his alma mater, and his father’s former employer, the University of Colorado School of Music.