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David Christopher Reader

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David Reader Obituary

Reader, David Christopher, 26, of Augusta, GA, formerly of Wichita, principal cellist of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, died Sunday, May 11, 2008. Service 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 17, College Hill United Methodist Church. Survivors: parents, Dr. G. Whitney and Eva Reader of Wichita; siblings, Gabriela Young of Arlington, VA., J. Whitney Reader of Germany, Christiana Reader of Cleveland, OH, Benjamin Reader of Alaska, Annamarie Reader, Daniel Reader and John Reader, all of Wichita; grandmother, Christa Hauk of Germany. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in David's name with Operation Mobilization, P.O. Box 444, Tyrone, GA, 30290. (Crisis relief for disaster areas. For more information, www.usa.om.org.) Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com

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Published by Wichita Eagle from May 15 to May 16, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for David Reader

Sponsored by His Brother.

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Dr. Lara Saville Dahl

June 30, 2008

Dear Reader Family,

I was devastated to hear of David's death. I had just seen him the week before at the GSU School of Music and had a good 15-minute chat talking about all the things he was doing in the music world. David will always have a special place in my heart. He was one of the first students I knew at Georgia State, and we had a special Kansas bond (I grew up in Topeka). He did a cello demonstration for my Music Appreciation class a few semesters, and the students loved him. He will be greatly missed. I send my deepest condolensces and many prayers.

Betsy Myers Eakle

May 25, 2008

Dear Reader Family,
I knew David when he was a freshman music student at Wichita State University. He had a pleasant, unassuming personality, and was always cheerful and outgoing.
Since I was several years older than David, I shared no direct classes with him, but I observed that he was always kind and courteous, even to those whom he barely knew. He seemed to have a smile for everyone.
I will keep your family in my prayers, as you remember David's life and enthusiasm, and the talents God gave him, which David so richly shared with others.

Charley Stewart-Charlton

May 24, 2008

My students and I were very fortunate to have met David and to have listened to his performance with the string quartet in March at our school. He touched our lives that morning, and we were very saddened to hear of the passing of this talented young man who was an important part of our musical community.
With deepest sympathy,

Thanksgiving 2006 Little Rock, AR

Alice Cojocaru

May 23, 2008

Your family is in mine and my family's prayers. David was the best thing that ever happened to me, he will always be in my heart and in my thoughts. He was a great person that had so much going for himself, I was so proud of him. I pray to see him again in Heaven. God Bless.

Amalia Cojocaru

May 23, 2008

My heart is broken when I recently found out of David’s death. He is and will be terribly missed. David was an extraordinary person, very kind and polite. I was privileged to have met David through my sister Alice. He was always helping her in school and they were always practicing together. I extend my sincere sympathy to his family and friends. David, see you soon…

Laurel Butler Lawshae

May 22, 2008

Dear Eva, Whitney and family

We grieve with you at the loss of your son David. He was much loved by our whole family.

I had the privilege of watching him grow up as I stayed in your home. There are many fond memories of driveway basketball games, violin lessons, music-making with your family, a trip to NM, strawberry shortcake, your daughter's wedding.. and much more.

I know my parents' prayers are with you too. They remember David fondly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day.

We love you all.

Laurel Butler Lawshae and family

Beatris Arminia

May 22, 2008

Dear Reader Family,

My heart goes out to you for the loss of your son and brother. My family and I had the opportunity to meet David though our sister Alice. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met and I am grateful that my sister had the chance to have such a wonderful person in her life. I always saw David as someone whom people could mold themselves after, he will be terribly missed. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and we will see him in heaven. Take care.

David's GSU recital

May 22, 2008

January 2007 celebrating our birthdays

May 22, 2008

January 2007 celebrating our birthdays

May 22, 2008

Corey Francis

May 21, 2008

My heart broke when I heard the news of David's passing. He was truly a wonderful person with a tremendous talent. I will miss our talks and performing together. Your family is in mine and my family's prayers.

Kirsten Mygil

May 21, 2008

Dear Reader Family,
My prayers go out for you and for the soul of David. God Bless.

George Daniels

May 20, 2008

Dear Reader family,
I recently heard of the tragic loss of your son (brother) and I have your family in my prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss and wish you God's comfort during this time of sorrow.

Bill Somach

May 19, 2008

To the Reader Family,

I knew the first time I played with David that he was a special player. As we became close friends, I knew that he would always be a special friend. I will miss him terribly as both a musician and friend. May his spirit be at peace.

Keith and Daina Redpath

May 19, 2008

Dear Reader family,
Daina and I got reacquainted with David in the last few years, performing with him in Amarillo and Oklahoma. He was a bright, enthusiastic presence. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

S O'Neill

May 18, 2008

I didn't know David very well, but every time I saw him he was always smiling and polite. His love for music and talent was obvious to anyone fortunate enough to meet him. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Jeana Melilli

May 18, 2008

I worked with David in Augusta. He was a great gift to the symphony there, and I very much appreciated that he liked to talk so much about music all the time. His enthusiasm for music and talent will remain an inspiration to me.

J. E. S.

May 17, 2008

David Reader was a good man, a wonderful friend, and an incredibly smart and sensitive musician. This is a great loss for our generation of musicians. He will be sorely missed.

Meredith Kaltman

May 17, 2008

My son took cello lessons from David in Atlanta and learned so much from him in a short time. He was a kind and talented young man. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.

St francis heart station

May 17, 2008

Dr Reader & Family,
our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. may god bless you.

SHAWNA WOODEN

May 17, 2008

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless and continue to comfort you in your time of sorrow.

travis gore

May 17, 2008

David was a good friend of mine at the Eastern Music Festival when I was 16 and I continued my friendship with him through our time in school together in Cincinnati. We would play for each other frequently for help when preparing for auditions and performances. He was a tremendous friend and colleague. I loved him very much. His heart was always open. I never found him to judge. He never had any problem bearing his soul and I always felt we could talk to each other about anything that we were going through; good and bad. Sometimes he would just show up to say hi and we would end up talking all night. I always felt I had a very profound and warm connection with Dave. I am missing him dearly and long to have had more recent moment s with him. Much Love to everyone who is suffering his loss.

Theresa Findlay

May 16, 2008

To the Reader Family
Our hearts are aching with sorrow over the loss of David. We have such fond memories of your family when we lived in Wichita and now they will be cherished even more.
I pray that God would sustain you all in this time of sorrow as only he can. David will be missed greatly on this earth but God had a better plan for him and he is certainly in a better place. I thank God for having the opportunity to have known him and I speak for every member of my family. Farewell dear friend we will never forget you.

The Findlay Family
Palm Harbor FL

Marfy Dicke

May 16, 2008

My heart was so grieved when I read of this tragedy. I remember your children so well. They are all so talented. May the God of comfort be your strength in the days and weeks ahead.

Felix Farrar

May 16, 2008

To the Reader Family:
David was a teacher with me at Sutton Middle School here in Atlanta and was a joy to know. a true friend, and wonderful musician. We often had lunch together and I also played in Augusta. I want you to know that I will always remember our times together. He loved music, and playing in the orchestra.
IN HIS PEACE...

Lois Lofton

May 15, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Generalmusikdirektor John Fiore

May 15, 2008

The loss of this talented young musician is a tragic event, and I wish to extend my sympathies to the entire Reader family, in the hope that the power of music itself will comfort them through this difficult time.

Brenda Juby

May 15, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Though we have never met your family, we are friends of Luke's father and have heard him speak often of Christiana.
May God bless you and give you comfort and peace in this time.

Micahiah Doughty

May 15, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Reader family. Wishing them peace and comfort during this difficult time. David was a talented and gifted young man, he will be greatly missed.

Steve, Suzan, Laura, Quentin Aker

May 15, 2008

Dear Reader Family,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you. We never had the privilege of meeting David, but have enjoyed hearing AnneMarie & John play through the Youth Symphony as well as hearing John at Dana's, and now Dominique's recitals. Your family serves as an inspiration to us all. We've witnessed the closeness and the love that is so abundant. May God hold each of you close and give you peace as you deal with such a huge loss to your family.

Denise Canup

May 15, 2008

David was a great young man and an excellent musician. He was smiling everytime I saw him. He was just reaching his stride in life and will be sorely missed. My prayers are with the family.

Nancy and Bob Love

May 15, 2008

David was born for expression in the Lord's world. It wasn't just seen in his smile and in his countenenace of interest in another person, but seen and made magnificent in the way he played his cello. It's numbing and haunting for us knowing we won't hear her expression as we have before. We will miss him so much. There is pain knowing we can't experience (as we've had before) a serendipitous chance encounter with David at Dillon's (or at your house), or the relish of his solo cello work at a family recital in your living room.

However true our experiences were with David, we know there is valid argument they be deemed trivial given that any glimpse by us of the anguished loneliness for David in your hearts would be too much for us to bear. Your depth is so deep. We would be unglued. We only cling to the hope that the balm of Jesus Christ intrinsically works in the hearts of His beloved ones.

And now the Lord has equipped you eleven - the Reader and Young families - with love, and with love for one another. May you be sustained by that love in its purest form (as Christ authored it), and be renewed by what God has promised you from Isaiah 61:1-3. May His love also equip the entire host of us who love you.

Dana DeKalb (Scheer)

May 15, 2008

Our hearts are grieving with you, Eva and Whitney and family members, at the death of this lovely young man. I won't forget the several brief but meaningful intersectings of my life with David's. Although we did not know each other well, he was always so very cordial to me and interested in my life. I will hold these sweet memories close to my heart, and continue in prayer for the Lord's presence to lift you each up mightily. In His holy name, Dana

Calvin & Nancy Ringer

May 15, 2008

To the Reader family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We didn't know David, but John and our Michael swim together @ East High. May your faith in Christ strengthen you at this difficult time.

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6555 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206-1924

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