Benjamin Herbert

1923 - 2019

BENJAMIN THOMAS HERBERT Benjamin Thomas Herbert, dear friend, music teacher, consummate church musician and performing artist, died of natural causes at 95 years of age on December 4, 2018. Ben was born on May 8, 1923 in Riverside, CA and he took great pride in his status as a "third generation" Riverside resident. Between October of 1961 and December of 2010, Ben resided at 7129 Mt. Vernon St., Riverside, CA. His place of death was Renaissance Village, a senior residential community in Moreno Valley. His ashes were inurned at Olivewood Memorial Park on December 17, 2018. On June 19, 1941, Ben graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps in which he served for five years, ending his term with the rank of Staff Sergeant. On February 18, 1946, Ben was honorably discharged from military duty at which time he was awarded the American Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He felt very honored to have served in the USAF during WWII and greatly appreciated the Veterans' Day celebrations in which he was recognized later in life. In 1946, Ben entered the University of Southern California to pursue his interests in pipe organ, sacred music, choral conducting and accompanying. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree on June 16, 1951. He often recounted the joy he had as a student at USC, accompanying such gifted vocal artists as Harve Presnell, Lotte Lehmann and Marilyn Horne. In 1972, Ben entered the University of Redlands to further his education, earning a Master of Music degree, which was issued on June 2, 1974. Thereafter, Ben continued to build upon his career as one of the most highly respected music teachers and concert organists in the region. He was active in the American Guild of Organists, the Music Teachers Association of California, the Hymn Society of America and the Riverside Rotary Club. He was also a 32nd degree, Mason and Knight Commander of the Scottish Rite, which was conferred on October 20, 1975. Ben's greatest passion was for his service as Minister of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverside. During his tenure of almost six decades, he played for thousands of church services, including countless weddings and funerals of parishioners and friends whose lives he touched. One of Ben's greatest legacies at Trinity was in the acquisition and design of the magnificent organ containing 1,390 pipes, built by Abbot and Sieker in Los Angeles, which was dedicated in 1967 and remains a monument to Ben's industry and devotion to the Lutheran musical heritage for which Trinity was known at that time. The Abbot & Seiker pipe organ was the closest thing Ben ever had to a child of his own, which explains why he was so protective of it. Even in his final days, Ben spoke of his love for that pipe organ and how much he wished he could play it one last time; but his retirement in 2006 foreclosed that opportunity which he did not anticipate. Among Ben's most cherished memories at Trinity, were his many collaborations with Dr. Frederick Gable, who contributed his scholarly expertise in early music, to recreate the manner in which the Divine Services were performed in the 16th and 17th centuries, especially during the high holidays. This passion is part of what inspired Ben to visit Germany in 2000, with the Gables, where he was able to experience playing on one of the very pipe organs once played by J.S. Bach. He often reminisced about his experience at the Goteborg International Organ Academy. He never forgot the music he heard and the wonderful times he had in Vienna and Amsterdam, continuing to learn about the history of the pipe organ, performance practices and organ building. Ben taught piano and organ for over six decades to countless, aspiring musicians of all ages. During his teaching years, he enjoyed his collaboration with Dr. Robert Pace, a renowned specialist in piano pedagogy, for whom Ben authored the Robert Pace Organ Method, published in 1974. Ben lived his life with integrity and passion for all the things he held sacred, including his religious beliefs, his personal and professional relationships and his dedication to public service. Ben left a beautiful legacy that will survive for generations to come. To celebrate the life of Ben Herbert, a Memorial Service will be held in his honor at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5969 Brockton Ave; Riverside, California 92506 on Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a lunch reception.