Douglas Acker, 58, of Fontana, Calif., passed away unexpectedly Sept. 3, 2012, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana. Doug, the son of June Knowlton and Carl R. Acker, was born April 25, 1954, in Eau Claire. Survivors include his children in California, sons Tristan Acker and Garrett Acker, and daughter Corynn Acker; his mother June Knowlton of West Bend; brothers Dana Acker (Lisa) of Charlotte, N.C.; Orin Acker (Brenda) of Morris, Ill.; sisters Robin Sheets (David) of Lancaster, Ohio, Lynette Hensley (Charles) of Norwalk, Ohio, and halfsister Elizabeth Acker of Oshkosh as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Doug graduated from Kewaskum High School, the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in music and his master’s in music. He received many awards in high school at local and state levels, including being a guest performer at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and being invited to join the Milwaukee Music for Youth Orchestra. While a member, the MFY was invited to represent the United States at the International Music Festival in Luzanne, Switzerland. While in the Wisconsin area, Doug performed at many venues, including extra horn with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

In 1983, Doug moved to southern California where he continued his music. He founded the Music for Youth Orchestra in Hacienda Heights, Calif., patterned after the one in Milwaukee. He was the cofounder of Southern California Vineyard Touring Opera Company and a long-time French horn player in local community orchestras such as Claremont, Corona and La Mirada. Since the early 1980s, he sold medium-duty trucks for General Motors at various dealerships.

Memorial services were held Sept. 8 at Ingold Funeral Chapel in Fontana. Claremont Symphony Orchestra dedicated its Oct. 21 performance to Doug. The Vineyard Touring Opera Company, P.O. Box 995, Claremont, Calif. 91711 is accepting memorials to the Doug Acker Scholarship fund.