Mr. DiNino's Obituary

Vincent R. DiNino, Director Emeritus of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, and Director Emeritus of the Longhorn Band, died peacefully at home in Bay City Texas on September 9, 2014, with his wife at his side.

There will be a memorial halftime performance of the UT Longhorn Band and the Longhorn Alumni Band at the October 18, 2014 football game in Austin Texas at Darrell K Royal - Memorial Stadium, and a public memorial service will be held on October 19, 2014 at The University of Texas at The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Concert Hall.

Vincent DiNino was born October 25, 1918 in Manhattan, Kansas. He was preceded in death by Jane DiNino, his first wife of 67 years. He is survived by his wife, Timothy Ann Sloan DiNino; his daughters, Dinah Rieves and husband, Mike; Carmen Alspach and husband Rick; grandson, Charlie Ward. He is also survived by his stepsons, Michael Sloan and wife, Dena; Todd Sloan and wife, Beth; Patrick Sloan, Geof Sloan, Sr. and wife, Marianne Sloan; and Matthew Sloan, along with a host of friends including his former students he called his ‘children.’

DiNino, formerly the Director of Bands at Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Minnesota, and the first faculty status Longhorn Band Director at The University of Texas, was a living legend in the Burnt Orange Nation. He was a beloved mentor and guiding force to Longhorn Band members from the time he first climbed the ladder in 1955, throughout his time after retirement in 1985 as a many time director of The Eyes of Texas at home football games through his 94^th year in 2014.   He was known to many thousands of football fans as the Director of the Showband of the Southwest, and affectionately known as “Mr. D”.   DiNino loved The University of Texas, the Longhorn Band, the Longhorn Alumni Band and the Longhorn football team.

He is known as a man who could remember the names of his former students and former football players and could recite a story about each.

DiNino, along with his deceased wife of 67 years, Jane DiNino, and a few former Longhorn Band members founded the Longhorn Alumni Band, now the largest organization of its type in the United States. Jane was an integral partner with DiNino in the transition of a motley crew of about 70 men in 1955 culminating into the legendary Showband of the Southwest of today.

Under DiNino’s leadership, the Longhorn Band grew to an organization of 400 and more at times. During the years of Coach Darrell K. Royal’s era, the Longhorn Band, or a smaller contingent thereof, was always present at all football games. DiNino is one of the few non-sports figures to be elected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor and was an honorary member of the “T” Association, The Silver Spurs and the Texas Cowboys.

DiNino’s love for the Longhorn Band will be carried forth to many generations of Longhorn Band members who will benefit from the scholarship programs he initiated. Beginning with $200.00 in 1956, the scholarship programs have grown to substantial sums through scholarships offered by the Texas Exes Association, the Engineering Department Band Scholarship program, the Longhorn Alumni Band and others. The Longhorn Alumni Band endowed scholarships fund alone now exceeds $1,000,000.00.

Vince DiNino will be missed and continued to be loved by all who knew him and all who ever came in contact with him. He was an amazing man, known to be firm but fair and was a true gentleman’s gentleman.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations to be directed to the Longhorn Alumni Band Scholarship Fund at PO Box 302611, Austin, TX, 78703, or The Bay City Public Library at 1100 7^th Street, Bay City, TX,  77414.