"He influenced many students' lives. . ." How true. The finest teacher I had in 19 years of school. He brought the delight of a child to a deep study of music. Discipline and compassion informed an understanding of how students learn, enabling a sense of honesty and humanity to have presence in his students art.

Let me take this moment to express my sorry at the passing of Eldon. Although we left Iowa in 1956 I still clearly remember dinners at the Obrecht house and lunches on the back porch. I could to this day draw a picture of the inside of the house where the Lonsdale and Obrecht children played. It was a great place to grow up and our parent's certainly had good taste in friends.

Dear Celia, Julie, Nancy and Martha, I was sad to hear of your father's death. It is another observance of the passing of an era.

Eldon's home in Rolfe, Ia was across the street from my Grandmother Hancher's home. When I was a young girl I wrote VE letters during WWII to his brother Robert in Europe. Eldon and his wife Maxine,who was the organist, provided beautiful music for many years at Trinity Episcopal Church. After his retirement from such a wonderful career, he often walked along the river and always was ready for a friendly chat.

I played frequently for Eldon's Masterpieces Class and always played better because of his enthusiastic and clear program notes for the students. He was a devoted teacher and a consumate musician who always found the very best in every work. I treasured my contact with him as colleague and friend.

Dear Obrecht Family - I will always hae fond memories of Eldon. He and I played some duos together on his recitals, for clarinet and string bass. One set was by Charles Hoag, it was called Iowa Miniatures, and one movement was called Mosquitos, oh how we played with the music together, really trying to make it sound like mosquitos were chasing us around, and the audience laughed! He always had curiosity about the music and convincing ways of shaping a phrase, such a great musician. I was also fortunate to play a composition of his for voice, clarinet and piano at a Presidential Lecture, and I was equally fortunate to have his composer critique of our performance, a rare and unique opportunity. We also played bridge together, when I would have bridge parties, both Eldon and Maxine came. they were such both lovely and gracious people and FUN to be around.

Both your parents, really wonderful people. I'm so honored to have known them and graced by their presence in my life.

On behalf of the choir at Trinity Episcopal Church, I send our condolences and prayers. Maxine directed the Trinity Choir for a number of years, and Eldon sang bass. Many in the choir have fond memories of both of them.

We send our good wishes to the family.

To Eldon's dear family and friends,