Louise DuBois Tallman Kasch

OBITUARY

Louise Du Bois Tallman Kasch passed away at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA on August 8, 2026 at age 99. Louise was born in Pittsburg, KS to Charles R. Du Bois and Helen Claire Gibson. From the start she was so precocious that she skipped a grade and still managed straight A’s. She sang her first solo at age 4. She attended Monmouth College (IL) where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, the Sigma Alpha Iota Music fraternity, and Pi Delta Kappa. Years later she financed the renovation of the performing arts center’s auditorium which was subsequently named in her honor. Her senior year she transferred to University of AZ, Tucson, graduating with a Bachelor in Music and meeting her husband John Cutler Schiffman Tallman (Jack), and subsequently gave birth to three children – John Cutler (Kip), Marcia Louise (Marcie), and Constance Claire (Connie). While living in Northbrook Il, she continued pursuing her life passion – teaching piano and serving as a professional member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1969 until 1980. As a classically trained opera singer, her 25-year career in the Chicago area included a variety of both solo and duo programs and shows, soloist positions with churches and temples, and a Gilbert and Sullivan reparatory. As a Presbyterian she was surprised and delighted to be selected 1 of 4 to sing high soprano at a private Mass with Pope John XXIII on his first visit to the United States.

She was a life member of PEO, chapter CP, spent many volunteer hours at the Northbrook Thrift House, entertaining at assistant living homes and so much more. After 25 years, she and Jack divorced and she married John E. Kasch, president of Amoco Oil Energy and they moved to Rancho Santa Fe. They traveled the world extensively, often to exotic locations, hanging out with everyone from Mick Jagger to Elizabeth Taylor. They had numerous friends and she was active with the Pickwicks and the RSF Bloom Again and attending many performances of the San Diego Symphony.

Very sophisticated and intellectual, she spent hours clipping and mailing news articles to her family and taking them on world trips.

She taught us so much along the way – proper etiquette, how to carry yourself with confidence, how to command a dinner party. She inspired everyone in our family in different ways and her influence will live on in all of us. We are so grateful for the stories, the laughter, the lessons, the music, the travels and all the memories around the dinner table.

So please raise a glass of Makers Mark one last time, give a toast and remember…

She was preceded in death by both husbands, son, and sister Doris Schlacks and is survived by her daughters Marcie (Ray) and Connie (Jim) and four grandchildren – Raymond III, Carrie, Meredith, and Lauren and seven great-grandchildren Griffin, Mackenzie, Tristan, Avery, Madison, Leighton and Nico.

A private Celebration of Life is being planned by her family. Please send memorials to any of the organizations listed above.

Special love and appreciation to her wonderful caregiver – Monica Webb, and her son, Edwin.