Michael Rosewall and his siblings were going to surprise their father on his 75th birthday with plans to create a scholarship fund at Evanston Township High School in honor of his two decades there as a music teacher.

But Richard B. Rosewall will not hear the good news on his birthday in August. He was hospitalized on Christmas Day due to complications from colon cancer, and he died Jan. 5 without knowing of his children’s plans.

“We didn’t get a chance to tell him, but he certainly knew how we felt about giving something back,” Michael Rosewall said. “That was his philosophy in life.”

Richard Rosewall’s children hope to honor their father, who was the choral director and head of the music department at ETHS from 1963 to 1982, through an endowed college scholarship fund for ETHS music students.

“His real love was education,” said Rosewall, who is working with his brother David and sister Ann to raise money for the fund. “Rather than a plaque or a memorial service, we wanted to do something to give back to the music department and reward students who have made major accomplishments.”

The scholarship will be awarded every year to one ETHS student who displays great musical talent and plans to pursue it in college, Rosewall said. The money can be applied either directly to the student’s college tuition or to other music endeavors.

So far the family has raised more than $1,000 from extended family members, friends, teachers and church members. Rosewall said the goal for the first award is $5,000.

ETHS is working with the family to raise money and develop an outline of the scholarship guidelines. ETHS Business Manager Jeffrey Taggart was unavailable for comment Monday, but an administrative assistant said ETHS had raised a few thousand dollars in addition to what the family has raised.

The first scholarship probably will be awarded in the spring of 2003, said Milner Seifert, the choral director of ETHS. The faculty of the music department will select the recipient each year.

During his tenure at ETHS, Richard Rosewall helped pioneer several music programs, including an improvisation music ensemble, a chamber orchestra and two jazz bands.

Former student John Rothschild said he remembers Richard Rosewall most for the discipline and confidence he inspired in his students.

“He taught us a level of discipline and an appreciation for all kinds of music,” he said. “When you had a conversation with Dick, you always felt better about yourself. He was a prince. He always motivated us to do things beyond what we thought we could do.”

Michael Rosewall and his siblings also were former voice students at ETHS, but he was the only one to continue music after high school. He is currently the director of the music department at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.

“To me, I guess (my father’s) quintessential philosophy was respect for the student, as a person and as a learner, and he was able to meet the level of every student that they needed,” Rosewall said.

Although his father did not know the legacy he would leave behind at ETHS, Rosewall said his warmth and innovation as a teacher made a positive influence on students and friends alike.

“It is a fitting tribute to him,” Rosewall said. “He had education and students at the heart of his work.”