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Durrell Armstrong Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Durrell Armstrong
Charles Combs
December 24, 2024
So sorry he's gone
Reid Welch
January 2, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1101184143279897/2809523819112579/?comment_id=2815989361799358&reply_comment_id=2833543226710638if_id=1577933264633017if_t=group_comment
George Morgan
April 19, 2009
It's now a "dark age" will live in with the death of such a brilliant man as was Durrell. It was a pleasure doing business with him for the last 38 years. I'm sure he didn't get rich from what little I ordered, but I will miss him.
Loren Pinto
February 12, 2009
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Durrell. Although I only knew him through our phone conversations over the past 35 years, he was always kind and willing to help with any project I was currently working on. We will surely miss him.
John Osborne
January 25, 2009
I began with Durrell in 1962, while they were still on Vassar Street. I was in junior high and he was so helpful to me and always treated me as an adult. I never met him but his influence on the entire world of mechanical music is indisputable and eternal. I can imagine he would want the company to continue in some form and I'm sure we all hope the company to which he gave his working life will carry on in the service Durrell so loved.
Rick Davies
January 24, 2009
While working today in our shop here in Michigan, a friend (Nick Pool) told me over the phone the very sad news that Durrell had passed. Jane and I have had SO many great conversations with Durrell over the past decades...Durrell was truly an American Treasure, in the purist sense. There were many times when we were stumped on a player or reproducer, and Durrell's kind and gentle voice pulled us through! We send our deepest condolences and sympathy to Jack, and Durrell's family and friends...God Speed Durrell...you will be missed old friend. Rick and Jane www.actionpianoservice.com
Jeff Beck
January 12, 2009
My condolences on your loss. I did not know Durrell very well but it was always a pleasure doing business with him. He will be missed.
Fred Scoles
December 30, 2008
Mr. Armstrong was always there to answer our questions and provide the needed special player piano supplies for our rebuilding projects. He and Mr. Harvey Roehl many times provided me with the encouragement and mentoring to complete difficult and important projects.
Brian Benson
December 30, 2008
Although I didn't know Durrell personally, I still remember the first time I called to order parts for my first simple player project and he answered the phone. We must have talked for 45 minutes and he not only gave me a lot of tips, but inspired me to continue on to work on the more complicated reproducers. I always felt like I had a knowledgeable friend that was available if I ever got stuck. My condolences to friends and families.
Stephen K Goodman
December 29, 2008
Our deepest condolences to Jack his long time companion and family over the loss of this giant of our hobby. Durrell was truly an institution that helped contribute and help the rebirth of so many instruments that ultimately helped rekindled an interest in so many of these instruments, his company providing many parts and supplies available no where else - showing that automatic pianos and their cousins were more than simply a business with him. He will always be missed, but as with all great figures, never be replaced.
Rich Schommer
December 29, 2008
Durrell will live on for years to come in the smiles of those who hear the music machines he helped to save for all of us to enjoy.
Thank You My Friend!
Jere DeBacker
December 29, 2008
I was shocked and saddened by this news. I couldn't have operated my own business of player piano repair without Durrell and Player Piano Co. I started in 1970 and his was the most consistent of all the suppliers in the business. Durrell was so much more than just a supplier, too. He loved player pianos and automatic music. He will be so missed.
My sympathy to Jack and the family. Thanks, Thanks! Jere DeBacker
Herb Johsnon
December 29, 2008
So sorry to hear about Durrell's deathI had know him for over 30 years and enjoyed talking to regularly.
H. C. Beckman
December 28, 2008
I have known Durrell since 1958. I used to stop in when I went to the PTG meetings in Wichita. We spent lots of hours discussing player technology. He will be missed .
Dick Merchant
December 28, 2008
Durrell, We'll all miss you and what you did for our player piano hobby. It's terrible to have to say Good Bye to another great figure in our hobby. I'm just another one of Player Piano Company's customers who have been messing around with my players since I was a college kid for some 50 years.
Roger Jennison
December 28, 2008
My deepest condolences for all Durrell's family, friends and clients.
He and the team have been so appreciated and helpful to me throughout my player rebuilding history. His passing has touched me deeply and he WILL be missed!
May God's blessings and peace fill the hearts of all!
Roger
Roger's Piano Service
Willister Banderwaxon
December 28, 2008
Gladfully Silent
Shush my friend Not know
Open the door I'll show you how
The greet the little child
Brash, smart and wild
Bordering on the edge of a voice
I didn't question your chice
Battling lifes challenges awake
Give it a full throttle
Never hit the brake or pick up a rake
You are the buddy of all
Even those short and tall
Arnold Swenson
December 28, 2008
Never to busy to not offer help.
APswenson ( Port Arhrur.Tx)
Bruce Clark
December 28, 2008
Dear Jack,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you and Durrell's family.
Without Durrell's guidance and help, I would not have been able to succeed in the player piano restoration business.
I remember his first lists of player piano supplies from over 50 years ago. They consisted of two mimeographed pieces of paper.
I saw the business prosper and develop over the years. I still use his catalogs for references, and will treasure them always.
Gary Stevenson
December 28, 2008
My name is Gary Stevenson of St.Louis MO and I signed Durrell's book Dec 27th. I wanted to write something but did not get prompted and lost my chance Can you help me? If I had the chance I would have said....
"Durrell Armstrong was an inspiration to many of us who knew little about mechanical music and came into the hobby in the second wave of collectors. He started in it when very little materiel could be found to make these machines work. He found ways to help and guide us through our first restorations and helped many of us enjoy the music of the past. I was one of many who ventured into the plains of Kansas, just for the chance to visit him and his P.P.Co. You will be missed, God Bless You."
Donald Barton
December 28, 2008
My business would not exist today without the help of Durrell and Player Piano Co. I owe him a great debt of gratitude. I published an article in my 2007 newsletter about the roots of Player Piano Co. In the process of interviewing Durrell, I got to know him a little better....quite a guy. He will be missed.
Leonard Railsback
December 28, 2008
Durrell and I began player piano work when we were just young kids . he was working out off his parents garage and I new vary little about player pianos. great friends down threw the years.
Ed Gaida
December 28, 2008
We have lost a driving force in the restoration of automatic musical instruments. He will be missed.
Robin Pratt
December 28, 2008
Dearest Jack,
My sincere best wishes to you in this difficult time. I am extremely sad at this news. Durrell will be missed by many, many people around the world.
I have been in contact with Durrell and Player Piano Company since about 1963 when my mother bought me Larry Given's book, "Rebuilding The Player Piano". In the slipcase at the back of the book was an information card for Player Piano Company. That was the beginning of the 45 year friendship I have had with P.P.Co.
The correspondence and telephone calls I made for questions and ordering were always delightful and you guys consistantly made your customers feel like friends and that is a rarity in business today!
Losing a partner in this short life is a devastating thing but I hope that the future is kind and bright for you after this moment of darkness.
Durrell contributed much more than people will ever know. Thanks to both of you!
Sincerely,
Robin Pratt (& Baby)
Pratt's Piano Service
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS
516 Pierce Street
Sandusky, Ohio 44870-4725
Ron Bopp
December 28, 2008
Durrell, we will miss you - thanks for your inventiveness in helping with the mechanical music community.
Ron Bopp
Brian Shaw
December 27, 2008
It is with great sadness that I learned of Durrell's passing. My condolensces to the family and his friends. I never really knew Durrell personally; I was one of his customers "way back when" and sincerely appreciate his contribution to the mechanical music community.
Bill Chapman
December 27, 2008
Durrell has been such a great help to the rebuilders and musicians. He probably more responsible for saving instruments many other persons.
Bill Pixley
December 27, 2008
I knew Durrell for 54 years from the time Player Piano Co. was at 222 N. Vassar, Wichita, his parents' home. In all those years doing business, I was always treated squarely and helpfully, by Durrell himself. I very much regret his passing.
Bennet Leedy
December 27, 2008
Durrell was one of several leaders in the renewal of interest in player pianos, and will be missed.
Art Reblitz
December 27, 2008
Durrell helped tens of thousands of people worldwide to enjoy wonderful player piano music since 1951 when he began selling player piano repair materials, supplies and rolls. As his Player Piano Co. grew to having dozens of employees, he always took the time to help anyone who called---beginner and professional alike---with his advice, based on his decades of experience. He was one of a very few people who helped to keep the player piano alive for almost 60 years. We will all miss him greatly.
John Motto-Ros, Dick Kroeckel and Art Reblitz, on behalf of AMICA International (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association).
Don Ziegler
December 27, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
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