Former Ohio University Professor Guy Andrew Remonko, Jr. died January 4, 2020 of kidney cancer. He was 78.

Remonko was born September 28, 1941 in Connellsville, Pa. He attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., where he received his bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance and Theory Pedagogy in 1963, and a master’s degree in Music Education in 1966. 

Remonko was a Professor Emeritus of Music at Ohio University and taught for 28 years before retiring in 2000.  During his tenure he built a nationally recognized percussion education program and jazz percussion ensemble. He also arranged many of the percussion charts for the Ohio University Marching 110 band. He was an adjunct professor of percussion from 2000–2006 at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

Remonko began playing at clubs in his hometown as early as 15, then during his undergraduate years as a house drummer for the Twin Coaches supper club near Pittsburgh. There, he performed with such artists as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Pearl Bailey, and Phyllis Diller. He performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and on several National Public Radio and TV broadcasts. Remonko was the drummer for the Joe Belcastro Trio, The Tommy Charles Quartet, The Bob Thompson Trio, Los Viejos Blanquitos, The Dwight Lenox Orchestra and many local groups. 

The Remonko family requests donations be made in Remonko’s name to The Guy and J. Marilyn Remonko Percussion Scholarship, payable to Ohio University Foundation (indicate scholarship name in memo of check), Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701-0869. Donations are accepted by phone at 800-592-FUND, email at giving@ohio.edu or on Ohio University Advancement’s giving page here. Memorial donations may also be made in Remonko’s name to the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058 here.