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Edward Rimkunas Memorabilia

An inventory of his collection at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Anna E. Shuff
Date: 2025

Biography

Edward Joseph Rimkunas (1918-1994) was a Syracuse alumnus and served as the drum major for the Syracuse University Marching Band during his junior and senior years at the University. Rimkunas was born in Hoosick Falls, New York, and was a band leader in his high school's band. During his time as a student at Syracuse University, Rimkunas served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC), and was a member of Pershing Rifles, an ROTC honorary society. He also served on the Student Executive Committee and was a member of the business student honorary society Beta Gamma Sigma, and the business education honorary society Gamma Rho Tau. Before his promotion to drum major, Rimkunas played trumpet in the University Marching Band. He graduated in 1940 with his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. After graduating, Rimkunas changed his surname to Richards and went on to found the company Richards Insurance (now the Richards Group) in 1948.

Scope and Content Note

The Edward Rimkunas Memorabilia contains Rimkunas's drum major uniform, which consists of a jacket and a pair of trousers, as well as his drum major baton.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Further information on the Syracuse University Marching Band, as well as later examples of drum major uniforms, can be found in the Syracuse University Marching Band Collection. Additional information on both Edward Rimkunas and the marching band can be found in the Syracuse University Yearbook Collection and the Syracuse University Clipping Files.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Rimkunas, Edward.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Marching bands.
Student activities.
Drum majors.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Batons (symbols or weapons)
Uniforms.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Edward Rimkunas Memorabilia,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Alex Taggard in 2025.

Processing Information

Materials were housed in acid-free tissue paper in an acid-free box.

Table of Contents

Memorabilia

Inventory