In July the Department of Music learned with sadness of the passing of two of its professors emeriti, Arthur Crighton and Lawrence Fisher.
Professor Fisher, professor of violin at U of A from 1969 to his retirement in 1985, passed away on July 7 at the age of 89, while on a visit to Pennsylvania where he had been teaching at the string summer school of his daughter Kim (principal second violin, Philadelphia Orchestra). Larry was born in Vinton, Iowa in 1923. His musical education was at Eastman School of Music, where he received both undergraduate and Masters degrees in violin performance. During WWII, Larry served in the American forces, and was able to apply his sharp aural acuity as a telegraph operator.
As a faculty member at U of A, Larry was also a member of the University of Alberta String Quartet, which performed and toured widely in Canada and internationally, and he taught many violin students. Following his retirement, he and his wife Dayna, who was the oboe instructor at U of A during Larry's appointment, moved to Brentwood Bay, BC, and eventually settled in Edmonds, WA, where he continued to teach violin and remained active as a performer. Larry will be remembered not only for his strengths as a violinist and teacher, but for his generosity, positive outlook and great sense of humour. In addition to his music making and teaching, Larry was active as an author of mystery novels. He leaves to mourn Dayna and children Lorna and Kim and their families, as well as many friends and former colleagues. Although details have not been confirmed, a memorial is being planned for October 18 in Edmonds, the date on which the Fishers would have celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Professor Crighton, professor of organ, conducting and theory, died on July 14 at the age of 96. Art was born in 1917, and early musical studies took place in Ontario. In 1940 Art joined the RCAF, and he was active as a pilot of Wellington bombers in WWII. On one of his missions over Germany his plane caught fire and he was forced to bail out with his crew. He was captured behind enemy lines, and spent the next three years in Stalag Luft III, the POW camp that was the site of the "Great Escape". Art soon became a musical leader in the camp, conducting an orchestra and male choir.
Following the war, Art completed a B Mus degree at U of Toronto as well as the organist diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists; he then earned both Masters and doctoral degrees from University of Southern California. He was appointed to University of Alberta in 1949, and taught there until his retirement in 1982. He was University organist, conductor of the University Orchestra, and taught summer school choirs. Art was a cheerful and gracious presence in the classroom and a generous mentor to graduate students who took his seminars. Art was also very active in the Edmonton musical community, especially as an organist and choral director, and was in charge of theory examinations at the Western Board of Music for many years. His association with the armed forces continued as well, and in 1986 he retired from the 107 "Golden Bears" Squadron with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 2003 Art was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his contributions to POW life and a lifetime commitment to music. Art leaves to mourn his loyal friend and companion Tim Liu, and several nieces and nephews in Ontario, as well as many friends and colleagues. Interment took place on July 23 at Westlawn Memorial Gardens in Edmonton.
Submitted by Leonard Ratzlaff