Dick Coulter
(1931-2024)
Our Chapter Dean and beloved colleague, Dick Coulter, passed away on Thanksgiving day morning after a five month struggle with numerous illnesses. Dick Coulter was Dean of the San Jose Chapter in 2010-2011, and again from July 2024 until he died. He was Dean of the San Francisco Chapter from 1966 to 1968. As well as being a member of the American Guild of Organists, he was a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians.
He had a life-long career as an organist and music director, and was much loved and appreciated everywhere he worked. The following are some of the churches he served.
He was Music Director (organist & choir director) of St Luke’s Los Gatos, his local parish church, from 1997 to 2004. During part of that 1997-2004 tenure, Dick presented a regular Advent Sunday late afternoon service with an extended 30-45 minutes music 'postlude'. These after-service concerts featured classical and/or sacred music by capable professional musicians from the Bay Area. These were well attended and well appreciated. Other Advent music included St Luke’s choir performing J.S. Bach’s Cantata #4 Wachet Auf.
During his time at St Luke’s he also arranged, with Rosemary Bittmen and Ted Lorraine, the Sunset Concerts chamber music series presented at St Luke’s as a four-concert season by world-class musicians.
Dick returned as St Luke’s Music Director in the 2010’s until 2017.
Most recently, he was music director at the Christian Science Church in Menlo Park from January 2019 until his final illness in July of this year. They say “We all feel deeply blessed to have known him”.
He was Music Director at Christ Church Los Altos from 2006 to 2009. During his tenure he mounted an excellent Faure Requiem.
He often traveled to Reno to give organ recitals. He was for many years a mid-summer supply organist at the Episcopal Church in downtown Salem OR, covering while their organist participated in the Oregon Bach Festival. He was employed for a number of years at a Bay Area Presbyterian Church, which we think is St John’s, Berkeley. He directed a handbell choir while in Berkeley and was one year a national handbell choir president.
Fran and Dick spent summers at their family house at lovely Lake McCall in Idaho in the 1980’s. While at their McCall home Dick was substitute organist at the local Episcopal Church and played for two summer concerts.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 18th, 2025 at 1:00pm at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Los Gatos. Organist colleagues will play music in his honor starting at 12:30pm.
Our sympathy goes to his family.
(Much of this description of Dick’s musical life comes from Ted Lorraine, whose contribution is gratefully appreciated. Information to update and correct this blog would be very much appreciated, please email the webmaster.)