Samuel David Rhinesmith Ii

An incredible journey – a wonderful man. Sam Rhinesmith was born in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania to Samuel David and Alice Waite Rhinesmith. He grew up in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, where he attended St. John’s Grade School and graduated from Bellefonte High School in 1947. His early musical training was with the Bellefonte American Legion Junior Band, playing trombone. He played trombone throughout his school years and was the first person from his high school selected to the Pennsylvania All-State Band. After high school, Sam attended West Chester University in Pennsylvania and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. Next, he entered the military and was assigned to the United States Second Army Band at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland. This band was one of four bands selected to play for the Cavalcade of Bands television show broadcast out of New York City under the direction of Ray Bloch, the music director of the Ed Sullivan Show. This Second Army Dance Band played for many events in and around New York City from 1952-55. Following his military service, Sam moved to Indiana to become the first Director of Bands at Scecina Memorial High School from 1955-1961. He assisted in the creation of the Scecina Fight Song as well as the Alma Mater. Then, in 1961, he completed his Masters Degree in Music from Butler University. From 1961-1964, he held leadership positions at Anderson High School and Woodview Junior High School in Warren Township. Finally, he served for 27 years as Director of Bands at North Central High School in Washington Township from 1965–1992. Sam’s career at North Central was legendary where his bands consistently earned superior ratings from the Indiana State School Music Association, but Sam would exercise humility when talking about all that he accomplished at North Central. Perhaps the most noteworthy recognition that Sam received was the creation in 2010 of the Sam Rhinesmith Band Endowment Fund which honored Sam’s legacy.  During his time at North Central, he also served as an adjunct instructor and first Music Director at Marian College where he provided guidance and instruction to the members of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.  Upon his retirement from North Central High School in 1992, Sam was asked to organize and direct the New Horizons Band of Indianapolis (NHB) which began in the fall of 1994. NHB has flourished under his direction and is now part of a rapidly growing organization with over 200 bands and 10,000 members worldwide. NHB celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2019, therefore allowing hundreds of senior citizens a pathway to a healthy and rewarding lifestyle through musical growth and fellowship.

Sam received many awards because of the program he built at North Central. The Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an Honorary International Band Directors Fraternity, recognized his work with the Outstanding Bandmasters Award in 1992 and inducted him into the Indiana Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1999. In addition, Sam received the Robert A. Phillips Service to Music Award presented by the Indianapolis Symphonic Band in 2001. In 2014, Sam was recognized by the State of Indiana with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award for his contribution to music education and service to senior citizens. In 2015, the Indiana Wind Symphony honored Sam with the James B. Calvert Award as the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year.

All of these achievements contributed to Sam’s wonderful life, but nothing brought him more joy than being with family. Sam and his wife, Marianne (Fillenwarth) shared 58 years together and are blessed with two children, David and Marsha (Jones) and Donna (Rick) Adams, all of Carmel, IN. Sam’s grandchildren are Matthew and Kevin (Katie) Rhinesmith and Blake and Betsy Adams. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy (Ken) Fairbanks, Alice Fannon, Alice Ann S.P., and sister-in-law, Connie Rhinesmith. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Edward J. Sr. and Helen (Keating) Fillenwarth, his grandson, Braden Samuel Adams, and sisters, Jane Worner, Julie Cardis, brother, Bobby, and brothers-in-law, Ed Fillenwarth Jr., S. Worner, Frank Cardis, and John Fannon. Sam was loved and supported by Hugh and Jean Marie (Fillenwarth) McGowan, Val (Miller) Fillenwarth, the Keating family, as well as, many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist Catholic Church, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, IN 46037, from 3:00–8:00 on Thursday, June 3. The New Horizons Band of Indianapolis will be performing a Tribute Concert from 6:00-6:30. A Funeral Mass at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist Catholic Church will be held on Friday, June 4, at 11:00 AM. A private family burial will be at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. To view the livestream of Sam’s Mass go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yHbWP4y1-gs2cWexrsbiA. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.flannerbuchanan.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to  the Sam Rhinesmith Band Endowment c/o The Advancement Center for Washington Township Schools and North Central Alumni: 8550 Woodfield Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46240 or online at https://www.advancementcenterwts.org/advancement-center-online-giving-form/. Gifts honoring Sam Rhinesmith will be directed to the endowment holding his name that provides ongoing support of the North Central High School Band Program OR donations can be made to the New Horizons Band 5282 East 65^th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.