The number of organists has dwindled so much that when I wear this T-shirt through airport security, I get comments! Yup, I was wearing this shirt when I went to Kauai last month, and the lady at TSA asked me, “Are you an organist?” (DUH!)
“Yes,” I answered.
“My brother is an organist.”
I didn’t have time to ask her what his name was, because I think I know practically all of the organists in Hawaii.
The fact is, that when people find out we’re organists, they have a story to share.
Like this text which I got from organist Karl Bachman this afternoon.
I am substitute teaching at Roosevelt for band and orchestra. The students were surprised because usually a substitute means no rehearsal. They were amazing. I had a blast and after class one girl came up to me to tell me that her grandmother was also an organist. I told them a little about myself as a musician. I asked for her grandmother’s name. Ruth Pfeiffer. We had a very nice chat about that. Thought you would enjoy.
Wow! I first met Ruth Pfeiffer at the University of Hawaii when I went to teach organ in 1974. She was one of the piano instructors on the faculty, but also happened to be the organist at the First United Methodist Church on Beretania Street. We ran into each other a lot especially in the heyday of Japanese weddings. I remember once she told me she was got so tired playing during a wedding that she actually fell asleep at the console. I don’t know HOW she managed to do this, because during Japanese weddings the organist had to play continuously throughout all the vows and prayers!
I also remember going on a choir tour with her to the neighbor islands decades ago, and she and I, plus Wanda Gereben (a choral icon in Honolulu!) shared a room together. However I don’t remember which choir it was, or what island it was, either!
I found her obituary in the local newspaper, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
RUTH IMPERIAL PFEIFFER 82, of Honolulu passed away June 2, 2013. Born in Dumaguete City, Philippines on July 3, 1930, daughter of Gerardo A. and Angustias Romero Imperial, wife of William R. Pfeiffer (deceased). She spent her life as a music educator and performer; and in service to the church as musical director, organist and choir director. She studied at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines (B.A. Music); Union Theological Seminary, New York City (M.A. Sacred Music) and University of Hawai’i at Manoa (M.A. Music Education). She is survived by sons Gerardo Pfeiffer of Honolulu, Paul Pfeiffer of New York City and John Pfeiffer of New York City; brothers George Imperial of New York, Valentino (Anita) Imperial of Texas and Paul (Laraine) Imperial of Montreal; stepsons Cam (Anita) Pfeiffer of New Mexico, Mark (Kate) Pfeiffer of Washington and Steve Pfeiffer of Arizona; her grandchildren in Hawai’i Drew Kawilihan Nebres Pfeiffer, Ella Ruth Abellana Pfeiffer and Jessica Wise and many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren here and on the mainland. She will be missed by so many because she shared with so many. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. A musical gathering will begin at 6:00pm, and Memorial Service will begin at 7:00pm. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to support music scholarship at the University of Hawai’i and Silliman University. Donations can be made to UH Foundation for the Pfeiffer Scholarship Endowment (UH Foundation, PO Box 11270, Honolulu, HI 96828) and to Silliman University in memory of Ruth Pfeiffer (c/o United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1221, New York, NY 10115 http:// www.unitedboard.org/GIVING/Overview.aspx).
It was Ella, Ruth’s granddaughter, whom Karl Bachman met today.
Small world, isn’t it!
That was a nice memory. People come in and out of our lives and sometimes we are not even aware of their passing. jb
Oh Kathy, this warmed our hearts! We often think of Ruthie and our long, wonderful friendship. She was at Union Seminary when Roy and I were there in the ’50’s. She was a ball of energy. Such fun to be around! She frequently helped out with Gretchen and Kathy. They loved her!
Years later, when we arrived in Honolulu, we reconnected with Ruth and her family. Two of her sons were in the Honolulu Boy Choir and she even substituted for me at the Don Ho show as a harpist! Thanks for this serendipitous story with her granddaughter, Ella.