The Oberlin family of faculty, staff and students has become one person smaller. Emeritus Professor of Organ Garth Peacock, OC ’51, died last Sunday at Oberlin’s Welcome Nursing Home.

“Garth Peacock was a warm and gregarious individual who cared deeply about the well-being of his students,” reflected Chair of the Organ Department and Professor of Organ and Harpsichord David Boe. “They, in turn, maintained a loyalty to him and a friendship that extended well beyond their Oberlin experience. He was an effective teacher as evidenced by his many former students who have enjoyed successful and prominent careers in the organ profession. He was also a beloved and supportive colleague who could entertain us all with stories and jokes that he told in a skilled and inimitable way. I shall miss him deeply.”

A gifted musician, Peacock taught at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and Knox College in Galesburg, IL before returning to teach at Oberlin. He would remain an inspiration for 32 years, from 1959 to 1991.

Actively involved in the community, Peacock was an organist and choir director at area churches and was a member of Christ Church. He volunteered at Eastwood Elementary School and Allen Medical Center. He was also a Korean War veteran.

Preceded in death by his parents, Laurence (Jack) and Gladys; his wife Jean, OC ’52, and his grandson Alex, Peacock is survived by his sister Jackie Jakubowski of Tulsa, OK and his five children — Linda Pierce of Troy, MI; Elaine Armstrong of Oil City, PA; Laura Cotton of Elyria, OH; Mark Peacock of Hilliard, OH and Ross Peacock, Director of Institutional Research here at Oberlin. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Peacock’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 17 at Christ Church.