Ron Rose — 1930-2013

Legendary South Shore musician Ron Rose died Oct. 22. He was 83.

Born Rupert Ronald Rose on June 18, 1930, in Warren, Ohio, he began playing piano at age 4.

Jazz was hot and Ron took to it quickly. Before ever learning to read music, young Ron became an expert at his trade. In his hometown he was a bit of celebrity by his teens and playing at every town gathering from dances to roller rinks.

Ron Rose

It was at one of these gatherings where he’d meet the love of his life, a petite blonde with a strong will to dance, Dorothy Louise Palmer. He’d later learn her strong will was a powerful force he would rely on to build a life and family together.

They were married in the summer 1950. They were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Sandra Lee, in June 1951. One year later, their second daughter, Rhonda Jean, was born. Ron was playing gigs in the Ohio area and anywhere else he could to provide for his family such as Virginia Beach and Biloxi. While in Ohio, their son, Jeffrey Scott, was born. Soon to follow was daughter, Lynda Jo.

In 1958 Ron was invited to play at North Lake Tahoe at the North Shore Club. Upon arrival, Ron suspected his life would take a new turn. In fall 1958 he walked in to Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino where he played a tune for Bill Ledbetter, Harvey Gross’ son-in-law. He was hired on the spot and returned to Ohio to prepare his family for a move West.

At Harveys Ron found the reliable work he’d hoped for as he and Toots continued to grow their family. As they moved, Toots was pregnant with their second son, and final addition, David Allen. The hard winters in Tahoe were no match for Toots who had grown up in a working Ohio family and knew how to take care of herself. She continued to chop wood, plan around a tight budget, and shovel endless snow. Ron worked countless nights at the casino, a star on the South Shore.

Ron’s tunes at Top of the Wheel drew crowds from all over. Jazz lovers and young professionals from San Francisco and Sacramento would drive all night to hear him play and dance well into the night. Throughout his 43 years at Harveys, he would rub shoulders, play music and often host family dinners for talents coming through the South Lake Tahoe area, including BB King, Liberace, and Jay Leno, to name a small few.

A local living legend, Ron released three albums during his career among many single recordings and traveling from coast-to-coast sharing his love of melody and jazz.

The Rose family gained the reputation as a stronghold in the small Tahoe community. Always enough food to spare, family dinners created a community and family gatherings were commonplace.

The life of Rupert Ronald Rose will be celebrated Oct. 30 from 1-3pm at Montana Health and Fitness Community Center (Resort Course Genoa Lakes) 468 Mountain Meadows Drive, Genoa.