James H. Deschler passed away in East Rockaway, New York on August 9, 2026 at the age of 77. Born in Brooklyn in 1949, he lived a life shaped by creativity and originality. After studying at the Manhattan School of Music, Deschler proudly served as a percussionist in the West Point Army Band. He also worked in the newspaper industry, contributing his talents to both The New York Daily News and The New York Times.

James created his own mallet-making business, Deschler Percussion, and his keyboard mallets were sold in the 1980s and ‘90s through retailers like Lone Star Percussion and Steve Weiss Music. The line included both rubber and yarn models, all on rattan handles. Perhaps his most popular model was the #116 “powder blue” medium, featuring a mushroom shaped-head.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations in James’s memory be made to the Percussive Arts Society. Visit pas.org/donate and select either the general fund or a scholarship and enter “In Memory of James Deschler” under the dedication options.