Family, former students remember Ebbighausen

By Dominic Poli

HINSDALE, N.H. — This Mr. E was certainly no enigma.  It was obvious to everyone that Jerome “Jake” Ebbighausen Sr. was a man devoted to his duties as a husband, father, citizen and music educator.  But the organ tunes heard in the North Hinsdale Community Church for more than 50 years have stopped for good, as Mr. E died on Tuesday, March 27, at his home after a period of declining health. He was 76.

Lisa Barnes Marr graduated from Monadnock in 1978 and sang chorus under the senior Ebbighausen from grades 7 through 12.  “He was excellent. He absolutely loved what he did. He was compassionate and patient. He helped kids find their voice,” she said in a telephone interview. “All of my fond memories of high school involve being in the music room with Mr. E. That’s where I spent all of my free time.”

Marr’s cousin, Mark Brosseau, graduated in 1980 and said he too remembers getting free passes to spend his study periods in Room 16.  “Back when I was in school, I was really busy and I was just getting my feet wet in the wonderful world of music and chorus,” said Brosseau, who was very involved in school politics. “If someone loves what he does and it shows, people desire to be a part of that. … I will carry the love of music in my heart forever thanks to him.”