Richard Kanter

October 17th, 2014

As a violist, I was often seated next to the oboes and could see Dick’s list of performance dates and conductors that he kept on each piece of music as it was performed. I was always struck by the care he took to keep this years-long record for himself and any other oboist who plays from that part. The CSO represents an historical chain of musicians, and I can still be reminded of Dick whenever I see those parts —they’re still being used, now by Laura Schafer. I’ll miss him and his visits to Orchestra Hall. Condolences and blessings to you, Janet, and your family.

~Diane Mues
~CSO colleague, Wilmette il

October 14th, 2014

Thank You Russell for such a lovely recollection of my Dad. We enjoyed having you over each year and getting to know you too. Best, David

~David Kanter
~Son, San Diego, CA

October 13th, 2014

Richard Kantor extended his friendship to me the very first day I joined the CSO in 1989. I started getting to know him when we starting carpooling to Ravinia and when he started inviting me to Seders and Thanksgiving dinners, both of which continued for many years to come. I started getting to know his lovely family, his outrageous sense of humour, is fierce loyalty to his art and the CSO, and his kindness and generosity towards me.

Funny stories about Richard abound; his colorful comments in the margins of paperbacks and newspapers, his habit of leaving a newspaper on a coffee table at work of the same date(except it was 20 years old!), his habit of recording conductor’s comments and timings in the margins of his oboe parts at work, and his unique sense of style.

My favorite memory is one summer when we were carpooling to Ravinia with Nancy Park, and Florence Schwartz, and Richard read aloud from the “Bonfire of the Vanities”, and from short stories by W. Somerset Maugham while I was driving. After the concert, he often had food for me; pickled broccoli and pickled hard boiled eggs.

I thank you, Richard, for all those wonderful times together. And I thank Janet and his family for making me feel so welcome in their home.

~Russell Hershow
~friend and colleague, Chicago, Illinois