Nunc Dimittis
James F. Hyde, Jr., of Ripon, Wisconsin, died August 1 at the age of 83. Born June 6, 1933, in Corning, New York, he earned a bachelor’s degree in German from Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, in 1955, and master’s and doctoral degrees in German from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1957 and 1960, respectively. He taught at the University of California, Davis, and was appointed assistant professor of German at Stanford University in 1961. From 1964 until his retirement in 1999, Hyde taught at Ripon College in Wisconsin. In 1968, he founded an international study center in Germany, initially in Hamburg but later moved to Bonn. Hyde was proficient on violin, piano, and organ and was concertmaster for the Ripon College Orchestra. His expertise in architectural acoustics and organ building led to several consulting jobs for organ installations in churches; he served on the editorial board of the Acoustical Society of America.
James F. Hyde, Jr., is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and George Schuster, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, a niece, Katherine Schuster of Gainesville, Florida, a nephew, Thomas Schuster of Tigard, Oregon, as well as extended family members.
Temple Painter, organist and harpsichordist, died August 6. He was 83. Born June 14, 1933, in Pulaski, Virginia, Painter was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. He performed as solo organist with members of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center under Hermann Scherchen, as harpsichord soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, and as solo harpsichordist for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He performed as solo pianist, harpsichordist, and organist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and concertized extensively in the United States, Europe, and Israel.
Painter was for 40 years the harpsichordist for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and for 45 years the organist at Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Painter was also served as associate professor of music at Haverford College from 1969 to 1982, and lecturer in music at both Immaculata University and Temple University. Among his several recordings, “Temple Painter-Harpsichord Recital” (Artia-Parliament label, 1962) was cited by the New York Times in 1964 as “the most satisfying” of five harpsichord recordings reviewed that year. Painter also championed the music of American composer Harold Boatrite, recording his harpsichord music and commissioning his Harpsichord Concerto.
Temple Painter is survived by friends and extended family.
Robert J. Shepfer, 96, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away May 26. He was born July 25, 1919, in Defiance, Ohio. He attended Wittenberg College, now University, Springfield, Ohio, and the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Illinois. At Wittenberg, he studied with E. Arne Hovdesven, and at American with Frank Van Dusen. He met and studied with Marcel Dupré during the latter’s visits to Detroit, Michigan, in 1957 and 1961, and studied again with him in Paris in 1962 and 1964. As a recitalist, he performed throughout the Midwest and the East Coast. He was organist-choirmaster for Forest Park United Methodist Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Michigan. From 1966 until 1996, he served as organist-choirmaster for Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis. At Second Church, he developed an extensive choir school program, with many ensembles having a waiting list to participate. The choirs frequently traveled the Midwest to present workshops and clinics. Early in his tenure, the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. installed its Opus 1490, a four-manual instrument in the church, finished in 1968. In 1974, Casavant Frères, Limitée, installed its Opus 3239, a two-manual organ in the chapel.
Robert Shepfer is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rosa Dene Shepfer, his daughter Susan David, son Graham Shepfer, and granddaughter Rosa Dene David. A memorial service was held August 6 at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis.
