Professor Hardja Susilo 's Obituary
Professor Hardja Susilo (Pak Sus), passed away at age 80 on Sunday January 25th, 2015 at 3:30 a.m. His journey ended peacefully in his Manoa Valley home surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
Professor Susilo was born in Java, Indonesia on Monday, December 3rd, 1934. He was the 7th boy in a family of 11 sons born in the city of Yogyakarta. After graduating from Gadjah Mada University and UCLA in the 60’s, Professor Susilo taught ethnomusicology at the University of Hawaii Manoa. He specialized in music from Java, Indonesia and was widely recognized as the first Javanese gamelan teacher in the United States.
His students and family will remember him for his love, patience and selflessness in his personal as well as professional life. With his unique sense of humor and gentle temperament, Professor
Hardja Susilo faithfully nurtured a community of friends composed of hundreds of his students and their families. He fostered an appreciation of cultural diversity in those he met and ensured that everyone who participated in his gamelan ensembles felt valued, respected and loved.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, JoLinda Susilo; his children - Ken (wife June), Emiko (husband Dewa), and Chandra; his grandchildren - Ayu, Dodé, Cara, and Emma; and hanai son Matt (wife Sarah) and grandchild Caia.
Services will be on January 26th, 2015 (today) at 2:30 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary (burial at 3:00). 45-425 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI 96744.
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