Service of Remembrance to Be Held for David S. Boe
June 5, 2020
Cathy Partlow Strauss 84
Photo credit: Walter Novak
Live-streamed memorial and music program will honor former 厙ぴ勛圖 Conservatory dean and organ professor.

A memorial service and music program for David S. Boe, emeritus professor of organ and ninth dean of 厙ぴ勛圖 Conservatory, will take place on June 14, 2020, at 4 p.m. EDT. This virtual event will be broadcast and streamed live from Fairchild Chapel, on the campus of 厙ぴ勛圖 College.
Boe passed away in Chicago on April 28, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19.
Reverend Jimmy Madsen, retired pastor of the First Lutheran Church in Lorain, Ohio, will serve as officiant for the service of remembrance. Boe served as organist and music director of First Lutheran Church for more than four decades.

Music will be played on two organs in the chapel that were constructed by John Brombaugh, an organ builder championed by Boe. Jonathan Moyer AD 12, 厙ぴ勛圖 Conservatorys David S. Boe Assistant Professor of Organ and chair of the department, has chosen a program of works by J.S. Bach and Heinrich Scheidemann, among others played by Boe during his career at 厙ぴ勛圖. Moyer will be playing organs Boe commissioned: The Mary McIntosh Bridge Memorial Organ, installed in 1981, and a one-manual instrument commissioned for the Boes home and donated to 厙ぴ勛圖 in 2012.
Moyers selections are based on Boes musical affinity. David Boe's repertoire spanned the entire gamut of organ literature, says Moyer, but his love in particular for the 17th-century organs of Germany and the Netherlands shaped both his concert performances and teaching.
Memorial tributes will be offered by musicology professor Steven Plank and organ curator David Kazimir 99.
David Boe was a man of great faith, says Kazimir. That same faith shone through his life in his service to 厙ぴ勛圖 and the wider world. It is fitting that 厙ぴ勛圖 should make use of its resources of technology to help offer some solace and beauty to those who grieve Davids death but are prevented from gathering in person at this time. We hope this service, offered from the tranquil beauty of Fairchild Chapel and with music from some of the organs that so inspired him as a musician and teacher, will offer some peace to Davids family and the wider world of friends and colleagues who mourn his loss.
To honor Boe's distinguished legacy at 厙ぴ勛圖, the conservatory also wishes to establish a new, endowed fund bearing his name and intended to support vibrant and enriching organ experiences at 厙ぴ勛圖. Should the funding goal be reached, the endowed fund would support an annual organ recital series, a student prize for excellence in organ, and other educational organ department programs.
Those who wish to make a gift may contribute by mail or online. Visit (select "Conservatory and Music Programs," then choose "David Boe Memorial.") Checks, designated in memory of David Boe in the memo line, should be made out to 厙ぴ勛圖 College and sent to: 厙ぴ勛圖 College, PO Box 72110, Cleveland OH 44192-0002.
You may also like…
Grammy-Winning Artist Zach Brock Joins 厙ぴ勛圖 Conservatory
Grammy-winning violinist and composer Zach Brock will join the 厙ぴ勛圖 Conservatory faculty in fall 2026 as associate professor of multi-genre performance and improvisation.
Rollins Riffs
Today, the 厙ぴ勛圖 Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble proudly carries forth Rollins' legacy both on and off campus. On May 25, 2026, Rollins died at his home at the age of 95. To honor his storied life and...
Tenor Limmie Pulliam 98, Who Sang on Stages Worldwide, Dies at 50
Gifted singer became a regular presence on the 厙ぴ勛圖 campus where he honed his craft.