Rock 'n Roll sculpture next for local artist

A Southwest Nebraska sculptor will have a part in preserving the history of rock and roll. The key role became a reality earlier this summer when Roy Orbison's widow, Barbara, commissioned Jon Leitner to do life-size bronze sculptures of Orbison and two of his sons: Roy Jr. and Anthony.

"I am highly honored to be selected to do the Orbison project," John said by telephone from his studio at Harry Strunk Lake. "I became acquainted with Roy in the 1970s and did some artistic work for him 25 years ago."

In the early days of rock and roll, Roy Orbison's songs shot to the top of the charts. He recorded such classics as "Oh, Pretty Woman," "Only the Lonely," "Ooby Dooby" and "Blue Bayou."

Elvis Presley once said Orbison had the best singing voice he had ever heard. Known as "The Big O," Orbison was so highly regarded in 1963 that he headlined a European tour with The Beatles. Orbison is best known for "Oh, Pretty Woman," which was the theme song for the "Pretty Woman" movie which vaulted Julia Roberts to stardom.

While he enjoyed success with his music, Orbison's personal life was filled with tragedy.

His first wife, Claudette, died in a motorcycle accident in 1966, and in 1968 two of his sons, Roy Jr. and Anthony, perished when the Orbison home in Hendersonville, Tenn., burned to the ground.

Leitner will begin work on the Orbison sculptures as soon as he and Gary Ginther complete the sculpture of McCook's most famous citizen, George W. Norris. "We're about done," Leitner said. "It's turning out real well."

To finance the Norris sculpture, the Norris Foundation is selling miniature replicas of the sculpture for $125 each. To purchase one of the replicas, donors may call Duane Tappe at the Norris Home. The number is (308) 345-8484.

The full figure, life-size Norris sculpture will be placed on the front lawn of the Norris Home, which is located at 706 Norris Ave.

The placement of the Orbison sculptures has not yet been determined. "Negotiations are now under way," Leitner said. "There's a possibility that the bust of Roy will be placed at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland."

Outstanding Coaches

This area has been fortunate through the years to have some of the best coaches in the nation. That's not only an opinion ... it is an accomplishment confirmed by national coaching awards.

The latest recipient of national honors is Del Schoenfish, the golf coach at Cambridge High School for 35 years. Of all the high school golf coaches in the nation -- and there are thousands -- Del was chosen as the Golf Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

Del carried the pride of this region with him when he stepped forward June 29 to accept the award at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. With his selection, Del became the second golf coach from Southwest Nebraska to earn national honors.

Four years ago -- in 2003 -- Ron Coleman of McCook was named National Golf Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. That memory is tinged with sadness as late in 2004 Ron suffered fatal injuries when he fell from the roof of his home.

Del knew and admired Ron. "Ron and I had many of the same beliefs about teaching golf," Del said. "To begin with, both of us were firm believers in getting kids started golfing at a young age. And, when it comes to practice time, both of us stressed the short game. These days, almost all the kids can hit the ball a long ways. The problem is they don't always know where it's going. By focusing on the short game, I believe -- as Ron did -- that high school golfers can gain the edge."

Del and Ron also benefitted from the quality of the golf courses in this area. "Heritage Hills in McCook and Cross Creek in Cambridge are both tough courses with excellent practice facilities," Del said. "By playing the courses regularly, golfers from this area are well prepared for competition."

Del and Ron's coaching philosophies have worked wonders. Ron's teams won a string of titles at McCook High School and Del's golfers have compiled an impressive 81 percent winning percentage, including three state titles and one runner-up finish.

This area owes a lot to Ron, Del and the many other coaches who devote time and talent to guiding high school teams. The youth are not only finding enjoyment in athletic competition, they are learning lifetime lessons about practice, discipline and sportsmanship.