Biography: Chadwick “Buddy” Habig, beloved son, brother and dearest friend, 37, passed away on December 23rd in Little Rock. He is survived by his mother; Peggy Habig of Little Rock, his sisters; Teresa Roth of Atlanta, Georgia and Carla Jones of Little Rock. He is also survived by his niece; Rachel Jones of Little Rock and three step-nephews, Chris Jones, Aaron Jones and D.J. Jones along with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Henry Habig. Chad is also survived by a huge extended family of friends who loved him dearly. Chad was born and raised in Little Rock and began his prestigious musical career early by playing for many churches, weddings and events. He composed and performed original music for Hall High while he was a student there. Chad attained ASCAP status as a musician and composer with over 23 years of experience. His background contained diverse training that included classical pipe organ to jazz piano studies with instrumentalists and vocalists from the most eclectic to the most specialized. He has worked in American, Latin and French experimental jazz styles as well as cabaret, musical theatre, theatre organ, harpsichord, choir/soloist accompanying, orchestral, choral and film/television scoring. Chad’s foremost area of expertise was the fast paced world of improve comedy music direction and performance. Chad has performed with the Improv Asylum, the Alarm Clock Theatre and Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He performed in San Francisco with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus as the principal keyboardist with the orchestra, written original scores for the Zoo District theatre troupe in Los Angeles and the theatre department of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. “Buddy” was the cast composer for the Red Octopus Theatre, the music director for Community Theatre of Little Rock, music director for Off Center and Easy Street, music/voice teacher at the Arkansas Arts Center’s Summer Theatre Academy for children. He was also the music director and founding member with Improv Little Rock. In the spring of 2009, there will be the second performance of Chad’s original score for the “Elephant Man” at Wildwood Opera Theatre in Little Rock. Chad’s day job was as a document examiner at the Arkansas Crime Information Center and he also served as the organist for the Little Rock Community Church. He was nominated for a Garvin award in Los Angeles, CA for his score of “The Defenders” and won best original score for “Scraps” at Little Rock’s 2008 48 hour film festival. His accomplishments as a musician are phenomenal and are only surpassed by his great humanity as a friend, uncle, brother and son. “Buddy’s” family and friends are attempting to ponder the depth of this world’s loss and the increase of love and joy in the next. Tribute and Celebration services will be held on Monday, December 29th at Ruebel Funeral Home for a visitation, 4 to 7pm. A musical service will be at the Little Rock Community Church at 10am on Tuesday, December 30th. A “Celebrating Buddy” reception will be held at the Roger’s House at 6pm on Tuesday evening. The family asks that any memorials be made to the Chad “Buddy” Habig Scholarship fund at the Arts Center Summer Theatre Academy for children.
Always cherished:
Michael and Dr. Jim