Jon F. Schoenoff, 53, of Champaign, Illinois, audio director at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois and head of Sound Design for the Department of Theater, died July 19. Services were held on July 23 in the Tryon Festival Theatre at the Krannert Center.

Mr. Schoenoff’s professional career included serving as lighting designer at the University of Wisconsin Parkside and sound designer at Wesleyan University in Connecticut’s Department of Fine Arts before he began his work in Illinois in 1989. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.

He was internationally known, making several trips to Prague, and many artists came to the UI to have Mr. Schoenoff record their projects. He composed original music for performances, including Rashomon, Romeo and Juliet and Antigone. In addition, he was a consultant for many theaters and churches around the nation. He taught five summers at Interlochen Arts Camp and spent two summers with the professional theater company at the Warren Pennsylvania Library Theater.

He was an active member of USITT and several other professional organizations.

His colleague, Beth Martell, remembers, “Jon was an irreplaceable talent with a wry smile and sharp wit. He had an incredible ear for both sound and silence, noting often that the Great Hall at the Krannert Center had a flaw - a water fountain on the fourth floor would cause a slight (very, very slight to the rest of us) hum when the cooler turned on.

“Jon's audio mastering skills can be heard on recordings for artists the world round, but his listening skills extended beyond the recording studio. When he was awake in meetings and techs, he listened carefully and although he didn't say much, what he chose to interject was right on the money. As a colleague, Jon made an art of grumpy, but it was not very hard to break through that facade and get his famous enigmatic smile. He will be missed.”

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; his mother, Ann Lane Schoenoff of Anoka, Minn.; and two sons, William and Maxwell Schoenoff, both of Champaign.

A scholarship fund has been started in Mr. Schoenoff’s name and donations may be sent to the University of Illinois Foundation with Jon Schoenoff in the memo line.

A memory book is being created. Those who knew Mr. Schoenoff and would like to share a story or to donate to the scholarship fund may contact Deb Miller at KCPA 500 S. Goodwin, Urbana IL 61801 or miller9@illinois.edu.

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Jon Schoenoff