Shelbyville, Kentucky - Arne Thad Hegerberg, former band director in Traverse City, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, in Shelbyville, Kentucky. His was a remarkable musical career with many stories. After growing up in Boyne City, Michigan, he advanced his musical talent with a BA at Michigan State University. His first year as a band director was in Benton Harbor, followed by his nine years as high school band director at Traverse City Senior H.S. (1965-74) ?? literally transformed the marching band from mediocre to fantastic, loved by his students and fans alike. Friday nights at Thirlby Field were as much about the band performances as about football. During this time, Thad's talent also propelled him to write the marching band arrangements for Michigan State University. In 1969, he visited friends for Christmas in Hawaii and fell in love with the islands, a love which propelled him to reside on Oahu for nearly all of the next 60 years, with short stints of less than a year each in four Mainland states. From 1974-1978, Thad held various positions in the music department at Michigan State University while directing the marching band.

1978 began Thad's remarkable music career in Hawaii. From 1978 to 1982, he was an assistant band director at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. After leaving that position, he became the music director at Mid-Pacific Institute, a college preparatory school while also performing evenings as a pianist/singer in a Waikiki hotel and organist in the Unity Church. In his semi-retirement, he played the organ for Japanese weddings, which are common in Hawaii.

As Thad's health began to decline in 2025, he took his portable keyboard and left his Hawaiian paradise to live near his sister, remaining in Kentucky until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arne Oskar and Virginia Schaub Hegerberg and is survived by his sister Pamela Schmidt (Richard), his three nephews and their children.

Thad was a great musical talent and friend to so many persons he met along his amazing journey. He will be much missed.