Winter Guard

Richard Trueblood grew up in Salem and taught Art and Theater at Salem High School. When I got the job at Eastern High School in 1976, in asking around for recommendations for a Color Guard instructor, someone gave me his name. It may have even been the outgoing director, Phil McGlothlin. I contacted Richard and we hit it off right away. I gave him a completely free hand at Eastern.

During our time at Eastern, he was single. After we left, there was a director change at Salem and he and Bonnie Harmon made a great pair.

They married in 2021. Well into retirement, he ran for and was elected to the Salem School Board. And in 2021, the Salem School Board (he was a member) decided to name the high school’s Performing Arts Center after him.

At Eastern, our guard grew to 18 flags and 6 rifles and received several guard trophies. He went with us to Camp Crescendo every year. I credit Richard, his artistic creativity, and his encouraging friendship with a major part of the success I enjoyed with Eastern’s Marching Band.

Richard Trueblood left this world on April 8, 2022.