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Nunc Dimittis

February 12, 2003
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Eric Herz, distinguished Boston harpsichord maker, died on May 25 in Barton, Vermont, after having suffered from Alzheimer's disease for many years. Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1919, Herz emigrated to Palestine in 1939, eventually joining the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as a player of flute and piccolo. He moved to Canada in 1951, and to Boston in 1953, where he joined the Hubbard and Dowd harpsichord shop before opening his own workshop in 1954. By the time of his retirement in 1996, Herz had produced nearly 500 instruments.

 

Paul Francis Lehnerer, 50, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, died on June 2 of an apparent heart attack. From 1992 until his death, Lehnerer was music and liturgy director at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, where he directed a 60-voice choir and served as principal organist. Born in Calumet City, Illinois, Mr. Lehnerer attended the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University from 1970-74. He completed further study at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, where in 1992 he received his master of arts degree in theology. Lehnerer was a member of the Central Florida AGO chapter. He is survived by his mother, five brothers, and two sisters.

Martin M. Wick, 82 years old, died on June 15, while working at his home in Highland, Illinois. Mr. Wick served as president of the Wicks Organ Company, a position he held for over 60 years. Son of Wicks Organ Company founder John Wick, Martin grew up building pipe organs, working alongside his father and his older brother John Henry Wick in developing innovations in organ design and Direct-Electric® action. He learned the art of pipe voicing from Henry Vincent Willis, Jake Schaefer, and from his brother John Henry. He graduated from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 22, Martin was called to run the family business after the early death of his older brother. He is credited with leading the company through some of its toughest times. During World War II, Martin kept the shop open by retooling to manufacture clock and airplane parts, and building new organs out of only existing materials. Following the war, Wicks was the first American company to return to organ building after Martin successfully petitioned the government. Through perseverance and personal sacrifice, Martin Wick kept the company afloat through hard economic times that meant the demise of other organbuilding firms. Mr. Wick was a talented organist and, although organ building was his first love, enjoyed many other passions, including flying and airplane building, sailing, collecting antique cars, being outdoors, being with his children and many grandchildren, and working around his home. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Sharon L. Malloy, Patricia G. (Dennis) Riker, Kim Capelle, Mary Haberer, and Melinda Wick, sons Scott Wick and Mark Wick, and 17 grandchildren. Martin took great pride in the Wicks Organ Company, and after 60 years still took time to walk through the shop and inspect every detail of every instrument, and to talk with his many employees. His last day at work was spent doing exactly this. Martin Wick died the way he lived, working hard at something he loved with his family near him.

 

--Brent Johnson

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