Apparently a number of my friends were unaware that our mutual friend, Preston Larson, died last December of Covid. The post I wrote, “RIP Preston Larson 1942-2020” somehow got overlooked in the busy Advent/Christmas season. So if you’d like to read his obituary, you can click the link.

I guess I must have been pretty busy at the time, too, because I neglected to post some of the reactions of Hawaii Chapter members of the American Guild of Organists sent to me after the notification of his death. At long last, here they are some of the emails I received.

I wanted to share with you news of the passing of former Hawaii resident and organist Preston Larson. I am a longtime friend of his and thought you and other AGO Hawaii members would like to know about it. 
I will shortly make a small donation to the Scholarship Fund of AGO Hawaii Chapter in his memory. Hopefully, others might wish to do the same. As a lifelong music educator, I think Preston would be pleased.
Here is some brief biographical information which you may use if you wish: Preston Larson, former AGO Hawaii Chapter member, passed away on December 15, 2020 in Phoenix AZ. He was Emeritus Professor of Music at BYU Hawaii, where he taught organ performance and music history for 33 years, and was also organist at the Christian Science Church in Honolulu. Preston was born in St. George UT and received his BA and MA in Music from BYU. He earned his doctorate of music in pipe organ and music history from Arizona State University, and also did graduate studies in music at the University of Arizona. Donations may be made in his memory to the AGO Hawaii Chapter Scholarship Fund.  Please let me know if there’s any other information you would like. Aloha, Lowell Angell

Thank you for letting us know about Preston. He was a wonderful man and an excellent organist! He played the Central Union Church 7am service for many years. He was also one of our wedding organists back in the heyday of wall-to-wall weddings. Preston was very generous with his time. He bailed me out on many an occasion. Never an unkind word about anyone. I’m so sorry to hear of his death. (Nyle Hallman)

So sorry to learn of Preston’s passing. He was a wonderful friend, dedicated teacher and superb musician. I have fond memories of the many projects on which we collaborated over the years. I’ve met several LDS ward organists who have all spoken very highly of him and are grateful for the training that he gave them at BYU-Hawaii. Mahalo, Kathy, for letting us know. Bob Alder

Thank you so much, Kathy, for sharing the sad news received about Preston Larson with our chapter membership. In an email from Preston’s younger brother, Meldon, I received an obituary and photo, both of which are attached to this email. Meldon shared that the photo is of Preston with his two nieces, Clarissa Amor and Melissa Leilani Larson, after an annual performance tradition on campus at BYU-Hawaii circa 1988 of “Evening with the Fine Arts.” Mahalo nui loa. (Margaret Lloyd)

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this.  I subbed quite a few times for Preston at the 1st Church of Christ Scientist when he was traveling. I worked, at that time, with Lorna Mount, who was the soloist.  Sad that they are now both gone.  (Connie Uejio)

Hi Kathy, Thank you for the notice about Preston. We both remember working with him for many years on AGO activities. He was indeed a good friend and will be missed. (Gloria Faltstrom)

The family has designated that donations be made to the AGO Hawaii Chapter Scholarship Fund, agohawaii.org.

I still miss you, my friend!