This is a memorial to Elmer L. Gadbois, my grandfather, known affectionately to most of his relatives as Pous. Mous was his wife, my grandmother, for over 50 years. They had four children including my mother. I was fortunate to have known him until his death in December of 1960 just before my 21st birthday. Pous was a high school teacher for over 25 years. He was an alumnus of Minneapolis North High School. Pous died slowly for six months of colon cancer in our front room. I helped my mother change his dressings while going to the U. of M. Pous said to me one day, "Scott, you and I have won the biggest lottery in the world. We were born while gazillions of others weren't. I have had a good life. I know I am dying of cancer. But I wouldn't miss this last battle for all the tea in China." It was the biggest gift Pous ever gave me.
After being expelled just before graduation and kicked down the front steps of North High by the principal, Mr. Gates, Pous came back to graduate that summer. As Pous used to say, "I was the only one to graduate in my class." While raising a family, Pous went on to get his Masters in the Physics of Sound, had his own band, taught Les Brown and Lawrence Welk while teaching high school band and choir. He was also the first high school band leader to have a band that skated on ice while performing at athletic events.
I went with him to his 50th year reunion to watch him perform the piece that is playing, "Hejre Kati" by Jeno Hubay, No.4, Op.32. Pous practiced for several weeks before the reunion. The school was acquiring a new organ to be dedicated in Pous's name. Eventually, the old North High was torn down. I understand a new one was built to replace it.
Some final notes. Pous was written up in Ripley's Believe It Or Not as being able to repair all 68 instruments that he played. While at the University of Minnesota, Pous handed in an original symphony for one of his classes. Pous received an A with a comment that the handwriting looked like that of a kid. i.e. It was not the beautiful writing that he was known for among his colleagues. Pous explained to the instructor that he did not have time to write a symphony with all his duties of raising a family, directing his orchestra, and going to school. Pous had composed the symphony at the age of 13. Pous also played the violin at the age of 7. Later in his life, electronic instruments were used to measure the vibrato produced per note by Pous and Jascha Heifitz on their violins. Pous was found to generate more vibrato per note.
Jeno Hubay
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Hejre Kati
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