After sharing his love of music with the San José State community for 65 years, Gus Lease passed away in September 2016 at the age of 93. He’s remembered by generations of Spartans a professor who loved his students, and he inspired many to reach greater artistic heights with his constant enthusiasm. Colleagues remember him as always ready with a song, walking to class with a smile on his face, or whistling through the halls of the music building. His smile was contagious, and there wasn’t a student in the Music Department that didn’t recognize him when they passed in the halls.
Professor Lease served as chair of Music for over five years, was a faculty member of the Department of History for six years teaching History of Music, and also taught music appreciation in the School of Music and Dance. He would sing “Hail, Spartans, Hail” with the Spartan Marching Band at the homecoming football games, a sign of dedication to SJSU and his career.
Throughout his musical life, Professor Lease organized and directed SJSU’s 350-voice Choral Ensemble, 88-voice Men’s Glee Club, and 200-voice Women’s Glee Club. He was a soloist with symphonies and performed countless recitals and concerts, touring internationally with the “Gus Lease Show,” entertaining the troops for the Professional Entertainment Branch of the State Department. He also received many awards, including the 1992 National Outstanding Professor from Vector Marketing and awards from the Department of Army, Europe, and Pacific Command. A well-traveled man, Professor Lease loved to share these experiences and more, touching countless Spartans. His legacy lives on in the students he taught, as he inspired so many with his love and passion for music that will be remembered for decades to come.
Donations in honor of Professor Lease can be made to the Gus and Lois Lease Pre-Endowment.
By Kaitlynn Magnuson
