wfn.org | Notes about People

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

10-December-1997 
97467 
 
                 Notes about People 
 
                by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
    Wilbur Franklin Russell, professor emeritus of sacred music at San 
Francisco Theological Seminary and a member of the faculty there since 
1953, died unexpectedly at his home in San Anselmo, Calif., Nov. 20.  He 
was 77. 
    In a music ministry that spanned more than five decades, Russell 
traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.  Well 
known as a clinician and master teacher, he gave workshops throughout the 
United States on choral music and organ music appropriate for worship 
services.  Russell had a special affinity for children, organizing numerous 
educational and performing programs designed especially for children.  He 
was also a renowned consultant in the construction of pipe organs. 
    A native of Barnegat, N.J., Russell studied under many of the great 
organists of this century, including Carl Weinrich, E. Power Biggs, Arthur 
Poister, Alexander McCurdy and Ludwig Altman.  Prior to going to San 
Francisco Theological Seminary, he served as director of music and organist 
at L'Eglise Evangelique in New York City and as director of music at The 
Hun School in Princeton, N.J. 
    A memorial service was held Nov. 24 at First Presbyterian Church of San 
Anselmo, where Russell had been organist since 1953 and director of music 
for 24 years. 
 
                           # # # 
 
    Bernard Ikeler, 77, a founder of Presbyterians for Disabilities 
Concerns and a tireless advocate and educator on issues facing persons with 
disabilities, died in Louisville Nov. 21. 
    Ikeler, a native of Millville, Pa., served on the national staff of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), first in the former Board of Christian 
Education doing public relations for church- related colleges and 
theological institutions and then as art director for "Presbyterian Life" 
magazine. 
    A pioneer member of Presbyterians for Disabilities Concerns, Ikeler in 
1984 founded an annual seminar at Montreat for the parents of disabled 
children, an event that continues to this day.  He also led workshops at 
Ghost Ranch and Stony Point conference centers and in Philadelphia and 
Louisville presbyteries on relating to persons with disabilities. 
    A celebration dinner for the life of Bern Ikeler was held Nov. 25 and a 
memorial service Nov. 26, both at Highland Presbyterian Church in 
Louisville.  The church's pastor, the Rev. James O. Chatham, said of 
Ikeler: "He read prolifically, listened carefully, thought deeply and 
discussed thoroughly.  There were lots of questions in his life that were 
never answered, some major realities that never found a why.  I think Bern 
was a living illustration of keeping these questions alive -- of asking God 
and the world to explain themselves, but of maintaining faith in both God 
and the world." 
    In Bernard Ikeler the Presbyterian News Service, too, has lost a 
friend. 

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