Nunc dimittis: John Francis Kriebel

John Francis Kriebel

John Francis Kriebel, 78, of Burien, Washington, died March 6. Born April 25, 1946, in Vancouver, Washington, he grew up in the Portland, Oregon, area. He moved to Seattle, Washington, in the 1960s and graduated from Seattle University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts and music. He then earned a Master of Arts degree in fine arts from the University of Washington in 1973, with additional studies at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, from 1979 until 1981. Kriebel studied piano and organ with George Fiore at St. James Catholic Cathedral, Seattle. His primary field was music history with composition and organ as secondary studies.

Kriebel served as organist at several churches including St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Seattle (1974–1979); St. Philomena Catholic Church, Chicago (1979–1984); Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church, Seattle (1986–1993); as well as being a choir member and substitute organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Seattle (1993–2013). He was the organist at St. Clement of Rome Episcopal Church, Seattle, from 2015 until his death.

Kriebel composed extensively with numerous works for organ based on hymntunes and in free form, Mass settings, motets, anthems, and solo vocal and instrumental settings. His music was published by H. W. Gray, GIA, Warner, and Alfred. There are additional unpublished compositions.

Kriebel worked for the Washington State Department of Administrative Hearings for 21 years and retired in 2014. He was a dedicated gardener and grew vegetables as well as his favorite dahlias and roses. John Francis Kriebel is survived by his husband George Nelson.