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Richard "Dick" Culver

1928 - 2017

BORN

1928

DIED

2017

About

University of Colorado

Richard Culver Obituary

Richard ("Dick") Culver passed away on 2/2/2017. He was born on 8/26/1928 in Hollywood Hospital to Mildred and Lewis Culver. The family lived primarily in Denver. He was an accomplished musician and teacher. He was educated at South High School, and the University of Colorado, earning Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music education. He played clarinet, saxophone, and flute professionally from ages 15 to 80. He played with a number of locally and nationally-known professional players and ensembles, and for many well-known singer and entertainers. He and Richard Eichenberger ran the Century Recording Company in the 1960's. Dick taught music at Kepner Junior High, North High, and Lincoln High schools, among others, in a 30-year career. He was the Supervisor of Music for the Denver Public Schools from 1973 to 1983. He was instrumental in forming the Citywide Jazz Band, which appeared in Disneyland and at the Mobile Jazz Festival during his administration. He loved jazz! He was pre-deceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Anne, his 3 daughters Annie, Barbara Olendzki, Laura Lubline, their mother, Patricia Schmucker, Marc Lubline, and his grandchildren Benjamin, Effie, and Nik Olendzki, and Zachary and Anastasia Lubline. His family will greatly miss his extraordinary musicianship, kindness, generosity, and humor. At his request, no service will be held. Contributions to the Denver Musicians Union, or to a charity of choice will be received most gratefully.

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Published by Denver Post on Feb. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Culver

Sponsored by The Denver Post.

16 Entries

Harry Petersen

August 19, 2020

After having posted anonymously in this guest book, I now realize I can only truly express my respect for Richard Culver and my thanks for his weighty influence on my personal and musical development at Lincoln High in the early sixties by putting my name on them. Your friend for life, Harry

Don Harris

January 24, 2020

I come very late to Dick Culver's obituary, and only because I have been pondering my own mortality and thinking about the teachers who greatly influenced me. Now I see that one of the most treasured in my memory has gone. Dick was my private lesson teacher for three years, 1954, 5 and 6. He taught me everything I could absorb about clarinet and saxophone and about jazz which we both treasured. More importantly, he paid attention to a pretty unlovable adolescent and, as others here have said, made me feel I had some worth as a human being. Together, we listened to Lee Konitz, Tony Scott, the Modern Jazz Quartet and numerous other jazz artists of that time. When I returned to Denver from Hawaii in 1960 he was the first person I called. I will never forget him.

Scott Swann

October 20, 2018

I attended Lincoln High School from 1961-1964.My fondest memories come from my time in the bands and orchestras led by Mr. Culver. He was a special and gifted educator. I've thought of him often over the years. He will be missed!

Scott Swann (Trombone)

Kenny Auge

October 30, 2017

Richard Culver was a major influence on my life. He seemed to be this mysterious person who would show up unexpectedly at rehearsals and concerts. I was lucky enough to be 1st chair clarinet in the All-City band from 5th grade thru high school, but I was always somewhat nervous to see Mr. Culver. When I went to CU Boulder College of Music, once again I saw Richard Culver walking the halls and teaching classes. I also pursued saxophone and ended up being in the All-City Jazz Band from the 8th grade on. Too bad not many people remember all of these All-City bands anymore. Sad to see Mr. Culver and another one of my favorite music professors, Wayne Scott pass away within months of each other.

George Seaton

October 27, 2017

Just discovered this loss. Anne, my sincere condolences. Dick was the director of bands at Abraham Lincoln High School for the three years I attended in the mid 60s. I was a trombonist, and played in concert bands, orchestras, and jazz bands during those years, the bands under the tutelage of Mr. Culver. He was also director of the All City Band my senior year. He is at the top of my list of remembered' teachers, not only for his musicianship, but for his kindness, and his ability to make a young person feel that they mattered, that they were valued.

I'll never forget when a few of us would head downtown to Shaner's on 17th Street, drink more than a few cherry Cokes sitting around one of their small tables listening to Mr. Culver play with the Neil Bridge Trio. The highlight of those late night jaunts was when my trombone teacher, Tasso Harris, was also there, performing with Mr. Culver as well.

It appears Dick was almost ninety when he passed. What a wonderful life he had, and what a wonderful thing that he inspired so many young people during his life.

Godspeed Mr. Culver

George Seaton

Martin Fritter

March 30, 2017

I was a student of his at Lincoln back in the '60s. His teaching enriched my life then and to this very day. A fine artist and educator. And a unique gentleman.

March 29, 2017

Respect, honor and love to Richard Culver, the teacher who influenced me more than any other, and to his family.

Anne Culver

March 7, 2017

I'm so grateful to hear from the people who knew & loved him. Your thoughts will be a treasure for years to come.

Becki Mayhew McConnell

February 25, 2017

Richard was my favorite Band teacher at Lincoln. My best friend, Barb Thompson and I had a lot of special fun with the activities that we participated in. I played flute. Sorry for your loss. He will be sorely missed.Becki Mayhew McConnell

Shawn Snow

February 21, 2017

Mr. Culver was a distinguished music teacher at Lincoln High School during the 1960s. By the time I met him, I was in elementary school and he listened to what was surely a painful fifth-grade-student audition when I tried out for the Citywide Elementary Band in spring 1983 down at Kaiser Elementary. My dad drove me over there from College View and I just remember how kind he was to a frightened fifth grader having to play a piece called Valse Caprese or some such thing that surely must have not been very good. But I made it in the band as one of the top five clarinet players and was then fortunate to not only have a great time and memorable experience but play under conductor Hugh Avis from Manual High School. My senior year at Lincoln, in spring of 1990, Dr. Culver returned to conduct the Citywide Symphonic Band at South High School. The music he chose still plays in my mind to this day. I'm happy to still have the recordings from those years. For never having been my actual teacher, he has stood out in my memory all these years as a very kind and dignified person who exemplifies all that is right with the teaching profession. I am so happy to know he lived such a long and fruitful life.

Bev Buckhalt

February 20, 2017

I was very saddened to hear of Dick's passing. I was a student of his at North and was the music librarian for him. We were both quiet and got along marvelously. I am sure he was an influence on my decision to major in music at CU-Boulder. My major instrument was the flute. And I loved jazz (still do!). Our band and orchestra in high school was one of the greatest because of him. He will forever be remembered. My sincere condolences to his family.

Steve Traylor

February 17, 2017

Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dick. I played in the Gordon Dooley Orchestra with Dick and I loved hearing him play. Gordon would feature him in some medleys, and Dick would nimbly and gracefully glide over the palette of notes. I would swear I was hearing Paul Desmond or Lee Konitz. Dick was a man of few words, so it had impact when he did talk. His eyes would smile while telling a joke or a quip. Being around Dick made my (and many other people's) heart smile. I will certainly miss him.

Ricky Hailpern

February 13, 2017

Dr. Ann,

I have recently heard about the passing of your husband Dick Culver. My mind went on auto rewind to a time when he would come to record my audition(S) for citywide band. If it wasn't for those grand opportunities, I would have never found my Passion. My sincere condolences to you and your family. May his memory be a blessing to you.

Peace....

Ricky E Hailpern
MM-SMU
BM-U of Denver

Bonnie Guggenheim

February 13, 2017

Dick Culver hired me as a vocal music teacher for Skinner Junior High School in 1977, and although I later switched to Social Studies, his decision led to a 34 year career in DPS. I remain grateful for his kindness and encouragement during those difficult early years, and I will always remember him with love and respect.

Tom Leyba

February 12, 2017

Mr. Culver was my band director at Lincoln High School from 1964 to 1967. My parents moved so I could attend Lincoln and be in his bands because they were the best in the city. He inspired me in so many ways and gave me a love of jazz that I have to this day. I became a band director myself due largely to his influence. He had such a gentle demeanor but still held high expectations for all of his students. This high standard is something I used in my bands as well. I really do not have enough words to adequately describe my admiration for him as a teacher. I can truly say he was the teacher that most influenced my life. I am sure this is the case for many of his students. He was an enormous influence on the music community in Denver. My sincere condolences for your loss. He was a man that certainly made a difference.

Roberta Tilton

February 12, 2017

Mr. Culver was my music teacher at North high school. He encouraged, tolerated and made my musical experience wonderful. I played the violin but not very well and he made me feel like I was great. I have great memories of my time at North high school in the orchestra.

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