Name: Calling hours for Donald R. Albright
Start: 2023-06-26T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-06-26T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. - Allentown

Donald Robert Albright, 76, son of Edna (Billig) and Walter Albright, was carried away by angels on June 14, 2023. He passed peacefully with his daughter, Wendy by his side, after a long bout with frontal temporal dementia. He was a loving father and grandfather, a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, a Mason, and a quiet but avid philanthropist. He was a William Allen High School and West Chester University graduate, with a degree in music education. He taught music and led marching bands at Raub and Trexler middle schools in the Allentown School District and was a prolific and talented musician and conductor, active in several bands including among others, the Jolly Bavarians, Windjammers Unlimited, and most notably, the Allentown Band, with whom he played trumpet for more than 50 years. He was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play with the Allentown band in Switzerland and more than once at Carnegie Hall, and loved riding the circus wagon with the Windjammers in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. He also enjoyed singing in the church choir and in Summer Harmony. While you could say music was his passion and calling, he enjoyed many hobbies such as circuses, full size and model trains, hot rod cars, elephants, photography, US National Parks, and coin and stamp collecting. Donald is survived by his daughters, Wendy Wijesiri and Kristina Pishock, and their families. He will be greatly missed and dearly remembered.

A Calling Hour will occur Monday, June 26, 2023 at Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Rd. Allentown, PA 18106 from 10:00AM-11:00AM. A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent payable to the Allentown Band, Inc. Allentown Band 1914 W. Greenleaf Street Allentown, PA 18104-4010

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Call on Jun. 18, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Albright

Sponsored by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. - Allentown.

15 Entries

Hub Willson

October 15, 2023

I was in the Raub bands , and William Allen marching band when they had 250 members. Buggy was always there and helped Henry Neubert manage the tricky formations on the football halftime shows. Great guy!

Peter Gordon

August 15, 2023

My condolences Wendy and Kristina. I just learned of Mr. Albright´s passing. He was my music director when I was at Raub in the early 80s. I will forever appreciate how he selflessly shared his passion for music with us. My best memories with him are the Raub stage band concerts we gave in West Park. That opportunity had a lasting impact on me. He was far and away the best teacher I´ve ever had. I wish I had said thank you before he passed. I will pray for you and your families.

Tara (Lee) Bomgardner

July 5, 2023

So sorry to hear of Mr. Albright´s passing away. He was my and my twin´s band director at Raub Middle School in the 1980´s. He was always kind to us, and we enjoyed being in marching and concert band under his leadership. Praying for the family and loved ones during this difficult time. Tara (Lee) Bomgardner

Ethel Drayton-Craig

June 22, 2023

My son so appreciated the years of music training he received from Mr. Albright.
My condolences to the family.

~ Ethel Drayton-Craig

Nancy (Webster) Tan

June 21, 2023

Dear Wendy and Kristina, I'm so sorry for your loss.
I first met Mr Albright in summer of '69 when he was teaching summer music lessons. When I got to Raub around '72, I had him for band and orchestra. He was really cool. At the end of one school year, he did a cook out for us at the pavilion between the Rose garden and Cedar Crest College. He would also bring his guitar in and play songs, a favorite being Proud Mary. The first Christmas concert he came out to conduct dressed as Santa Claus was a memory I'll always remember (what a shock to us as we were trying to keep our composure). He was adamant about being on time. Yes we were the only middle school doing formations at halftime. We would start band practice in Aug before the start of the school year, but these practices paid off because we were the best middle school marching band!
He was the best music teacher ASD ever had.
May he rest in peace.

Miguel Ortiz

June 21, 2023

Marched in 1972 Raub band because he asked. A great mam

Susan Boyer

June 19, 2023

Dear Albright Family and Friends, (among them Phi Mu Alpha fraternity brother and my late husband, George (Rusty) Boyer who was a close buddy to Don beginning at WCU in the late 1960´s: I deliver my condolences and recall many memories of Don after reading his obituary today. His indelible smile, fast wit and vast quips so often supplied humor and wisdom to our conversations. Don was a good friend to Rusty (d. 2011) and they were musicians often seen on stage together. I´m so grateful we met Don at WCU and that we continued to share music performances in the Lehigh Valley, especially with The Allentown Band, Christ Lutheran Twelfth Nights and Summer Harmony, for what had to have been hundreds of concerts. Those 50 years Don contributed to our community music heritage will always be in my fond memory. Peace to all who will miss Don´s unforgettably kind and amicable personality. Although I didn´t share his dearest nickname here, which he carried from college for certain, it was the signature call for a heck of a great guy and it bugs me not knowing how it ever originated ;-) With loving thoughts, Susan Slaymaker Boyer WCU class of 1970

Terri (Phillips) Powell

June 19, 2023

Wendy and Kristina I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your Dad from Charlotte´s daycare and then I had him at Trexler. He was a wonderful teacher and musician. Prayers and hugs to you both.

Bill Parr

June 18, 2023

Fond memories of playing in the Raab Jr. High Band in 73. Don Albright was passionate about his music and his students. Years later, I think in 1987 we randomly met each other in Washington DC, watching the Marine Band. It was only for a minute or so, and we went our separate ways. Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good guy. My condolences to the family. Fond memories of playing in the Raab Jr. High Band in 73. Don Albright was passionate about his music and his students. Years later, I think in 1987 we randomly met each other in Washington DC, watching the Marine Band. It was only for a minute or so, and we went our separate ways. Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a good guy. My condolences to the family.

Susan S Lubiscak

June 18, 2023

RIP Donald R Albright , truly musician and teacher who taught us all so well to appreciate music

Beth Danner

June 18, 2023

Rest in Peace, Mr. Albright.
I have happy childhood memories playing the bells at Trexler, and you are part of that. A heartfelt thank you.

Donna Trumbauer Woehlke

June 18, 2023

I was a WAHS band member-graduating in 1970-and remember "Bugsy" as our field tech designing the marching band´s formations and assistant to director, Henry Neubert. He was a great guy and made our practices fun and taught us to be proud of the effort and hard work required to do a good job. Thank you! RIP

Deb Brobst

June 18, 2023

What a cool guy! He was our Band Director at Raub back in the '60's when I was a cheerleader. We were the first, and maybe only, junior high marching band that did formations. Will never forget marching to the stadium. I was lucky enough to catch up with him from time to time. He is fondly remembered.

Lee D

June 18, 2023

Rest in peace, my friend! Enjoyed our years playing trumpet together in the WAHS band and Canary cavaliers.

Scott Bortz

June 18, 2023

Donny,
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I will always remember our conversations before the start of school. You always a true friend. Rest in peace field general.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results