Richard A. Boerlin

Musician and Longtime Professor

         Richard A. Boerlin, 86, of Maris Grove Retirement Community in Glen Mills, PA, died Sunday July 31st at the Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, PA. 

         Born in Bellefonte, PA, he was the son of Irving C. Boerlin and Pauline Lord Boerlin, both of whom were accomplished musicians. 

         Richard’s musical career began when at the age of 12 he received a clarinet as a Christmas gift.  Before long he was filling his home in State College, PA with the jazz sounds of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.  At State College High School, he was a member of the Marching Band, Dance Band, Acapella Choir, and the Orchestra.  He spent many Sunday afternoons at the Penn State Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity house listening, learning, and eventually playing his clarinet and saxophone in many frat jam sessions. 

         In 1948, he began his college education as a music major at Mansfield State College, PA where he learned to play the bassoon and oboe.  In the Summer of 1949 he was awarded a bassoon scholarship to the Berkshire Music School at Tanglewood, MA. 

         After completing one semester of his junior year at Penn State, he enlisted in the Air Force as a musician.  Following basic training at Sampson Air Force Base he was sent to Okinawa in 1952.  Before embarking, he married his sweetheart, Marjorie Telford, on March 9, 1952 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in State College. 

         Following his tour of duty, he enrolled at the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. and an M.S. with honors, in music education.  Additional graduate work was pursued at Peabody Conservatory and Temple University. 

         In 1961, Richard joined the music faculty at West Chester State College as an associate professor and instructor of double reeds.  In the early years he also served as the director of the WCSC Marching Band. Before retiring in 1991, he published nine original compositions and arrangements. 

         Mr. Boerlin played woodwinds professionally in a wide variety of musical ensembles including symphony, opera and pit orchestras, chamber music and jazz groups.  He was an active recitalist, clinician, author and educator and was a member of PMEA, MENC, ACBA, IDRS, Phi Mu Alpha and Pi Kappa Lambda. 

         The Boerlin family joined the Calvary Lutheran Church in 1967, where Richard was a member of the Senior Choir and served on many committees.  He was a past member of the West Goshen Lions Club and an avid Eagles and Penn State football fan. 

         In addition to his wife, Marjorie Boerlin, Richard is survived by his children Randall Boerlin (Carol) and their son Nicholas (Mollie) and their daughter Juniper; Cheryl Pierson (James) and their children Emily and Eric; Craig Boerlin (Lauren) and their children Myles, Alaina, and Maria; Marsha Gonos (Jake) and their sons Jason, John, and Joshua. Richard was predeceased by his grandson, Nathaniel Boerlin. 

         A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 8, 2016 at CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 730 S. New Street, West Chester, PA 19382.  A 9:30AM visitation will be followed by a service from 11:00AM to 12:00PM.  There will be a luncheon from 12:00PM to 1:15PM at the church.  Internment with U.S. Air Force military honors will follow at 2:00PM at Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery, 1235 Birmingham Road, West Chester, PA 19382. 

         In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s name may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church; The Nathaniel Boerlin Scholarship Fund c/o Fulton Bank of NJ, 412 Kings Highway, Mickelton, NJ, 08056; or the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit, 400 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380.  Family flowers arranged by Matlack Florist, 610-431-3077.

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