Ruth Lloyd Henderson died September 5 in Hamilton, Bermuda, at age 54. She earned degrees in music and music education from Dalhousie University in Halifax, during which time she met William Henderson. They married in 1975 and moved to Montreal, where Mrs. Henderson completed the licentiate diploma in organ performance. In 1976, they returned to Bermuda, and two years later she became organist at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity (Anglican), where she served for 29 years. She also taught music at Bermuda High School and Saltus Senior School, and was the driving force behind the Bermuda Choral Workshop, which brings together choirs from throughout Bermuda. She helped restore an old Bermuda organ, now located next to the baptismal font in the cathedral. Mrs. Henderson served as program director for the Bermuda AGO chapter. She is survived by her four children, mother, three brothers, and mother-in-law, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law.
Jack R. Ruhl, age 82, died September 7 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born in Fort Wayne, he served as a chaplain’s assistant in the Navy. He earned bachelor and master of music degrees at Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston, Illinois. In 1951 he became staff organist at the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, serving in that position until his retirement in 1991. There he established a famous concert series on the church’s 81-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ; the series featured such artists as Anton Heiller, E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, the Duruflés, Jeanne Demessieux, Robert Glasgow, Clyde Holloway, Larry Smith, Robert Anderson, and many others. He was also responsible for the creation of the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition. Mr. Ruhl also maintained a private piano and organ studio, was pianist for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and was active as a recitalist.
Joseph William Schreiber died at age 77 on September 20, in Mountain Brook, Alabama. A graduate of Baylor University and Northwestern University with degrees in organ and church music, Mr. Schreiber was a member of Phi Mu Alpha and Pi Kappa Lambda. He also served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He served churches in Hammond, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; and Louisville, Kentucky; then at First Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1960. In 1964, he was called to Independent Presbyterian Church, serving there as organist-choirmaster until he retired in 1998. During his tenure there, he established the November Organ Recital Series, which has featured more than 150 guest organists from the U.S. and Europe, and also initiated the Religious Arts Festival, beginning in 1972. Under Schreiber’s direction, the IPC choir toured Europe six times, performing in cathedrals throughout Europe; they also sang at three AGO conventions, and produced 13 recordings. Mr. Schreiber served on various boards, both locally and also for such national organizations as the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and the AGO. He received numerous awards, including the Governor’s Arts Award. Joseph Schreiber is survived by his wife and two children.
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