4:34 p.m., June 2, 2006--Howard Arthur Kuscher died Oct. 10, in Livingston, Texas. He was 94.

Mr. Kuscher was born June 22, 1911, in Irvington, N.J. As a teenager, he was a leader and organizer and was involved in many community activities such as DeMolay and the Fraternal Order of Moose. He organized, directed and acted in plays for local organizations. He acted and directed in "Startling Detective Stories" over radio station WNJ in Newark, N.J.

He won a two-year scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he was a classmate of actress Susan Hayward. He was a student at NYU, where he studied radio acting, directing and writing and recreation for the aged. He also attended Fawcett Art School and took up painting as a hobby in his retirement years.

Mr. Kushner took violin lessons as a youngster and played the mandolin for his own pleasure. After graduation from dramatic school, he was employed as an actor and stage manager at the New York Summer Theatre and acted in the New Jersey Federal Theatre for several years. He appeared in two Broadway plays and summer stock.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army from 1942-1945. While in the Army, he served as entertainment athletic director in 13 camps before going overseas. During his military service he worked with many celebrities who performed for the troops. While in the army, he married his wife, Marion, and had a daughter, Gaye, and later a son, Gary.

With postwar theatre at a standstill, he decided to pursue a more permanent vocation, joining the Veterans Administration Hospital as assistant chief of recreation at Lyons Hospital in N.J. He continued to direct and act in plays for organizations, community theatre and semi-professional groups.

Mr. Kuscher lived in Erie, Pa., and Hampton, Va., before he and his family settled in Wilmington in 1961. He retired in 1971 when his wife, Marion, fell ill. After her death, he joined the University of Delaware as a conference assistant in the Continuing Education Department, where he worked for five years.

During his 20 years in Delaware, Kuscher was active as a director and actor. In 1974, the mayor of Newark proclaimed Howard Kuscher Day, and at the fund-raiser for the 2001-02 season, the Chapel Street Players named their theatre Howard Auditorium in honor of Howard Kuscher and Howard Turner, who helped secure the building that now houses the Chapel Street Theatre.

Kuscher founded the Chapel Street Players annual fund-raiser that still supports the company.

In 1982, Mr. Kuscher married Doris Brady, and the couple moved to Texas, where they became active in the community. He was responsible for the reorganization of the Pine Tree Players, serving as adviser and director and establishing a scholarship fund.

He was publicity chairman for the Livingston Community Concert Association, was active in the Livingston Lions Club, served as a board member for the Memorial Point Property Owners Association and did publicity for the Memorial Point Civic Club Newsletter.

Mr. Kuscher directed several short plays for children at the local library and read aloud at the elementary school. He also dabbled in oil painting and played the mandolin.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Kuscher; a daughter and son-in-law, Gaye and Borge Rosland of Stavanger, Norway; a son, Gary Kuscher of Palm Springs, Calif.; a sister, Dorothy Moran of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; and grandchildren, Bernt Rosland, Finn Rosland and Katherine Rosland, all of Stavanger, Norway.

A celebration of life for Howard Arthur Kuscher was held Oct. 15 at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Donations may be made in Mr. Kuscher's memory to the Pineywoods Players Scholarship Fund, PO Box 52, Livingston, TX 77351 [hardyjk@eastex.net]; the Chapel Street Players, 27 N. Chapel St., Newark, DE 19711 [csp_email@yahoo.com] or to a charity of your choice.