Rolland W. Hurst, 90

Dr. Rolland “Woody” Hurst

Woody was born to Alfred and Ruth Hurst on Aug. 24, 1932, in Burlington, N.C. His father was a pastor and his mother a gifted musician and homemaker. He spent his childhood in Chattanooga, Tenn., and attended junior and senior high school in Washington, D.C. A devoted student, Woody was also active in sports, music and ministry. He developed a strong dependence on God, and music was woven into his soul.

While attending Grinnell College in Iowa, he studied pre-engineering physics. Persuaded to join the band by the beautiful, gifted woman who would become his wife and the mother of their four children, he spent most of his time in the music department. He graduated with honors in music education and performance. He went on to get his master of music in voice and opera at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

Most notable were the 10 years he spent in NYC pursuing his passion for music and theater as a highly acclaimed professional singer/actor. Besides landing roles on Broadway, he was soloist with the world-famous Robert Shaw Chorale and New York Philharmonic. His film credits included television, opera and movies. His children credit him with being a great storyteller. Growing up in Rutherford, N.J., they have wonderful memories of his off-the-cuff “Mr. Tears” stories.

Recently, Woody remarked, “In a lifetime of over 90 years, you have many unusual experiences!” He had jobs too numerous to mention between the bookends of Broadway and obtaining his doctor of education (Ed.D.) at Columbia University. Relocating to Fresno, Calif., he became professor emeritus of music, California State University, and directed the Opera Workshop, Concert Choir, Pop Singers and Jazz Singers. He taught voice, guitar and piano, directed church choirs and other productions and performed with Fresno Opera Association and Fresno Community Theater, earning the “Outstanding Performance Award.”

Unfortunately, Woody’s first marriage failed, but God is a God of second chances, and he was blessed to remarry a beautiful, talented woman with two children. After teaching music for a year at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, they returned to Fresno until they retired in Hayden, ID.

Up until months before he moved to his heavenly home on Jan. 16, 2023, Woody kept his quick wit and stayed active in family, church and community events. He was soloist with the Spokane Symphony Chorale and Chorale CDA, trombonist with the Panhandle Symphony Orchestra and lead actor in Coeur d’Alene’s Lake City Playhouse productions, just to mention a few. His last role was Jacob in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Some of Woody’s finest legacies are his abundant compositions. In his own words, “Music is in my blood." He claimed God gave him the songs and cantatas, and they are treasured reflections of his life and love for the Lord.

In his final weeks, Woody reflected, “This life is just a prelude to many infinite years.” It became more urgent to focus his prayers on everyone he knew that they would know Jesus — particularly those at the skilled nursing facility who took such good care of him. They loved hearing him break out in song from his bed, praising God! That will not be forgotten. Woody’s life made a difference and he was deeply loved by many.

For anyone wanting more than this mere summary of his life, please visit the website https://www.englishfuneralchapel.com/ for “the rest of the story.”

Graveside service: Feb. 18, 2023, at 2 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. A memorial celebration of his life will be determined in mid-June.