In Memoriam
Dr. Robert Allen Chase
Dr. Robert Allen Chase
Dr. Robert Allen Chase died on August 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Chase was born October 14, 1938, in Milford, Massachusetts. A gifted organist, choirmaster, music scholar and professor, he took his bachelor's degree at Boston University. He earned an MA in Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and subsequently his doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University. He also did post-graduate work at Yale University. He was a longtime member of the American Guild of Organists and served as Dean of the Westchester Chapter.
Dr. Chase taught at Westchester Music Conservatory, Iona Preparatory, and Pace University for 30 years. In addition to giving private organ lessons to numerous students, whose lives he touched.
A consummate and versatile musician, Dr. Chase served as Organist and Music Director at The Congregational Church in the Highlands in White Plains for 48 years. Prior to that, he was Organist and Choir Master in Larchmont Ave Church for nine years. A strong proponent of interfaith relations, he is still remembered with great fondness at Scarsdale Synagogue-Tremont Temple, where he played for thirty years.
Recognized internationally as a scholar of the pipe organ and Sacred music, he published seven books, including, JULES VAN NUFFEL AND HIS MUSIC 1978 and most recently Gradus ad Parnassum: A Guide to the Literature or Organ Instruction (2016). Most colleges and universities in 5 continents have his books.
Dr. Chase received numerous awards including Distinguished Teacher by Pace University, Recipient of an award from the National Endowment of Humanities and Honorary membership in "Musica Sacra"( Warsaw, Poland). He was proficient in five languages (English, Russian, French, German, and Chinese), and was a lifelong philatelist. He published five articles in "The China Clipper," a philatelist magazine.
A gifted conductor for American as well as Chinese choruses. Dr. Chase was also a private lecturer and organ performer. He was invited to play the Tabernacle Organ at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, an amazing instrument with 11,623 pipes, 147 voices, and 206 ranks.
As grand as that instrument is, Dr. Chase was never happier than when he sat at the keyboard of the organ at The Congregational Church in the Highlands for nearly fifty years. A great human being, he was highly respected and loved by friends around the world. A Memorial Service will be held there on October 15, 2022.
He is survived by his loving wife Jenny Kao Chase; his son, Wayne Rob Chase; two sisters, Vivian Smith and Barbara Ruef and nieces Allison Duncan and Jessica Wheeler.
Dr. Robert Allen Chase died on August 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Chase was born October 14, 1938, in Milford, Massachusetts. A gifted organist, choirmaster, music scholar and professor, he took his bachelor's degree at Boston University. He earned an MA in Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and subsequently his doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University. He also did post-graduate work at Yale University. He was a longtime member of the American Guild of Organists and served as Dean of the Westchester Chapter.
Dr. Chase taught at Westchester Music Conservatory, Iona Preparatory, and Pace University for 30 years. In addition to giving private organ lessons to numerous students, whose lives he touched.
A consummate and versatile musician, Dr. Chase served as Organist and Music Director at The Congregational Church in the Highlands in White Plains for 48 years. Prior to that, he was Organist and Choir Master in Larchmont Ave Church for nine years. A strong proponent of interfaith relations, he is still remembered with great fondness at Scarsdale Synagogue-Tremont Temple, where he played for thirty years.
Recognized internationally as a scholar of the pipe organ and Sacred music, he published seven books, including, JULES VAN NUFFEL AND HIS MUSIC 1978 and most recently Gradus ad Parnassum: A Guide to the Literature or Organ Instruction (2016). Most colleges and universities in 5 continents have his books.
Dr. Chase received numerous awards including Distinguished Teacher by Pace University, Recipient of an award from the National Endowment of Humanities and Honorary membership in "Musica Sacra"( Warsaw, Poland). He was proficient in five languages (English, Russian, French, German, and Chinese), and was a lifelong philatelist. He published five articles in "The China Clipper," a philatelist magazine.
A gifted conductor for American as well as Chinese choruses. Dr. Chase was also a private lecturer and organ performer. He was invited to play the Tabernacle Organ at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, an amazing instrument with 11,623 pipes, 147 voices, and 206 ranks.
As grand as that instrument is, Dr. Chase was never happier than when he sat at the keyboard of the organ at The Congregational Church in the Highlands for nearly fifty years. A great human being, he was highly respected and loved by friends around the world. A Memorial Service will be held there on October 15, 2022.
He is survived by his loving wife Jenny Kao Chase; his son, Wayne Rob Chase; two sisters, Vivian Smith and Barbara Ruef and nieces Allison Duncan and Jessica Wheeler.
Edna Neff Scholton
Edna Neff Scholton
Edna Neff Schloton, MA, RN passed away in her sleep, at home, on February 12, 2022, at the age of 101.
Born in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, Edna Neff was the youngest of 7 siblings. Earning her RN diploma from Hamilton General Hospital in Ontario, Canada, she moved to New York in 1948 to continue her career as a nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. After falling in love and marrying her husband, William (Bill) Schloton, the pair settled in Brooklyn, NY. Edna is survived by their 2 daughters and sons-in-law: Joy (Tim Elwell) and Nancy (Todd Manister), 6 grandchildren (Diana, Bill, Ryan, Lauren, Ian, and Kyle), 5 great grandchildren (Netta, Marie, Jackson, Jack, and Jayden).
Always full of energy, she returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Long Island University and a master’s degree in nursing from New York University. She completed doctoral courses in nursing at Columbia University before returning to her love of music, earning a second master’s degree in music from LIU-Post. She was an accomplished musician and organist.
A true Renaissance woman, Edna was a nurse, educator, athlete, award-winning gardener, gourmet cook, seamstress, and artist. She shared her love of music and cooking with many, and inspired others to take lessons or to further their education. When widowed unexpectedly, she took over and successfully ran her husband’s business. She was a tireless volunteer and held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including Dean of the Westchester Chapter, American Guild of Organists. She will be dearly missed.
Edna Neff Schloton, MA, RN passed away in her sleep, at home, on February 12, 2022, at the age of 101.
Born in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, Edna Neff was the youngest of 7 siblings. Earning her RN diploma from Hamilton General Hospital in Ontario, Canada, she moved to New York in 1948 to continue her career as a nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. After falling in love and marrying her husband, William (Bill) Schloton, the pair settled in Brooklyn, NY. Edna is survived by their 2 daughters and sons-in-law: Joy (Tim Elwell) and Nancy (Todd Manister), 6 grandchildren (Diana, Bill, Ryan, Lauren, Ian, and Kyle), 5 great grandchildren (Netta, Marie, Jackson, Jack, and Jayden).
Always full of energy, she returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Long Island University and a master’s degree in nursing from New York University. She completed doctoral courses in nursing at Columbia University before returning to her love of music, earning a second master’s degree in music from LIU-Post. She was an accomplished musician and organist.
A true Renaissance woman, Edna was a nurse, educator, athlete, award-winning gardener, gourmet cook, seamstress, and artist. She shared her love of music and cooking with many, and inspired others to take lessons or to further their education. When widowed unexpectedly, she took over and successfully ran her husband’s business. She was a tireless volunteer and held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including Dean of the Westchester Chapter, American Guild of Organists. She will be dearly missed.
Rick Tripoldi
Rick Tripoldi, died July 30, 2021
A member of our chapter, he received his Bachelor degree in 1971 and Masters degree in 1976 in organ performance from The Juilliard School in New York City. Rick went on to have a long career as a church organist and choir director throughout the New York and greater Fairfield County Catholic dioceses, including spending nearly 30 years at Saint John’s RC Church in Darien, CT. Most recently, he was music director and organist at Green Farms Congregational Church in Westport, CT.
In addition to his church positions, Rick regularly performed concerts at many prestigious churches throughout the region, including, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Trinity Church at Wall Street, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fifth Avenue. He was also a consultant to churches in the region and leaves behind a legacy of organ installations, organ consultations, and many friends in the industry.
Click Here for his full obituary
A member of our chapter, he received his Bachelor degree in 1971 and Masters degree in 1976 in organ performance from The Juilliard School in New York City. Rick went on to have a long career as a church organist and choir director throughout the New York and greater Fairfield County Catholic dioceses, including spending nearly 30 years at Saint John’s RC Church in Darien, CT. Most recently, he was music director and organist at Green Farms Congregational Church in Westport, CT.
In addition to his church positions, Rick regularly performed concerts at many prestigious churches throughout the region, including, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Trinity Church at Wall Street, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fifth Avenue. He was also a consultant to churches in the region and leaves behind a legacy of organ installations, organ consultations, and many friends in the industry.
Click Here for his full obituary
Kyoko Tagami Meredith (center)
Kyoko Tagami Meredith, died May 10, 2020
Kyoko was a member of our Chapter for many years and served most recently as a Director - Class of 2019. She served as Music Director at Katonah Presbyterian since 2014. We will miss her greatly!
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