In Memoriam
Arne Themmen
March 27, 1945 - August 14, 2026
Member M0932 since July 2020 Miami, FL Lodge #6
Music was a passion of Arne's life. He loved to sing and was an enthusiastic member of the Miamians barbershop group, sharing his voice, humor, and camaraderie with fellow singers.​
Artie Dolt
October 1, 1942 - July 5, 2026
Founding Member F0015 since March 2018 San Antonio, TX Lodge #1
Artie began his barbershop career at a very young age singing with his father in the Montclair, NJ chorus, the Dapper Dans of Harmony, and eventually directed them to MAD District Champs and 4th Place International Chorus.
He joined the newly formed SPPBSQSUS with Montana Jack Fitzpatrict in its infancy and formed our first Lodge, #1 in San Antonio, the Friends In Harmony. Under Artie's direction, they grew to over 100 men and had several international performances including in France, at a Normandy Day Celebration as well as Great Britain. Artie became the Society's second president after Montana Jack and led the Society for a year until he had to resign due to health conditions.
Alan Hatton Rochester, MN
May 2, 1944 - June 20, 2026
Charter Member C0021 since March 2018
Allen is best known for his tenor voice and solo work with the Bluegrass Student Union,
as well as his expert direction of award-winning choruses like the Louisville Thoroughbreds, Derby City Chorus and New Horizon Chorus. He also served as a beloved coach of the
Harrington Brothers, Second Edition and Diamond Girls quartets, among others.
Allen was a lifetime member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Association of International Champions and the Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association. He was an associate member of both Sweet Adelines International and Harmony Incorporated. Allen touched a lot of people during his time on the earth.
Charles 'Pat' Patrick Norfolk, VA
June 12, 1937 - April 16, 2026
Founding Member F0013 since February 2018
Robert 'Snake' Fogle, Sr Dundalk, MD
August 3, 1937 - September 16, 2025
Founding Member F0009 since February 2018 Chesapeake Lodge #3
Kevin Andersen Gunter Center, IA
February 25, 1954 - July 3, 2025
Member M1848 since February 2024
Kevin was a member of 'The Proud Image Chorus' as well as the Joplin, Missouri Lodge #8
Commander John J. 'Montana' Fitzpatrick Missoula, MT
February 11, 1936 - December 9, 2024
Founding Member F0001 since February 1, 2018
Jack was very active in SPEBSQSA and worked to change the philosophy of the organization to return its original purpose. Feeling that was not going to happen, he decided to organize a new organization, The Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in the United States. After researching he found that this was actually the name chosen by Rupert Hall and John Cash, and amazingly, it was not copyrighted. He obtained the copyright and started a new Barbershop Singing organization based on the original founder's intent - to preserve this unique music style, and promote the importance of making it fun and for male fellowship. Jack was a member of the Dundalk, MD Chapter, Chorus of the Chesapeake.
James Botelle Reisterstown, MD
November 12, 1952 - December 20, 2024
Member M0967 since August 2020.
Alvin Evans Mantua, NJ
1940 - December 10, 2024
Member M0878 since July 2020
Jim Kimos Dundalk, MD October 8, 1939 - September 4, 2024
Member M1799 since October 2023
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Orville 'Tom' Neal Boulder City, NV June 24, 1934 - October 25, 2024
Member M0990 Since August 2020
John Meriwether Columbus,KS Sept 8, 1935 - April 26, 2024
Member M1404 since July 2021
Chuck Olson Alton, NY 1935 - 2023
Member M0729 since August 2020
Jim Kline Palos Verde, CA 1948 - 2023
Member M0561 since March 2019
Russ Born Red Lodge, MT 2023
Member C0235 August 201
Kent Cronin Victoria, BC 1952 - September 20, 2023
Member M0739 since October 2019
Harry Ambler North Yorkshire, UK April 17, 1937 - May 1, 2023
Member M0685 since July 2019
Daniel Shramo Avon, OH February 20, 1931 - April 18, 2023
Founding Member F0054 since May 2018
Richard Dale Fetick Milford, OH November 2, 1951 - April 10, 2023
Member C0401 since January 2019
Dick Dods Timonium, MD August 29, 1934 - January 23, 2023
Member M0940 since July 2020
Bruce Nyland Grand Blac, MI March 3, 1947 - December 9, 2022
Member M0799 since February 2022
Member of Flint Arrowhead Barbershop Chorus
Nick Papageorge LaHabra, CA May1952 - November 6, 2022
Member M0841 since November 2020
Mike Sisk Pittsburgh, PA December 13, 1954 - December 2, 2022
Member C0047 since May 2018​
Howard Fetterolf Poughkeepsie, PA May 24, 1940- December 7, 2022
Member C0310 since November 2018
Walter Dods, Edinburgh, UK December 2022
Member M0828 since June 2020 Birmingham, UK Lodge #2
Stephen Martin, Syracuse, NY September 20, 2022
Member M1319 since August 2020
He sang with the Salt City Barbershop Quartet and the Harmony Katz Barbershop Chorus
Roy Eckert, West Palm Beach, FL April 3, 1937 - October 11, 2022
Charter Member C0332 since December 2018
He sang lead in the Sound Revival quartet from 1973 – 1985, winning the Mid-Atlantic District Quartet Championship in 1976. In January 2022, the quartet placed third in the International Seniors Competition, earning a bronze medal.
John Waugh, Sr, Las Vegas, NV June 19, 2022
Founding Member F0021 since April 2018
Donald Dodson, Wilmington, NC June 11, 2022
Charter Member C0046 since May 2018
Roberto Masson, Miramar, FL May 31, 2022
Member M1411 since August 20221
David Lester, Esther, FL May 31, 2022
Member M1157 since August 2020
Ralph Brandt, San Antonio, TX April 22, 2022
Charter member C0314 since November 2018
Don Lang, Hickory, NC April 12, 2022
Founding member F0057 since May 2018
Larry Anteman Bartlett, IL April 26, 1948 - February 8, 2022
Member M1118 since August 2020
 Larry sang in several Barbershop Choruses and quartets for over 40 years including the Great American
Chorus, New Tradition Chorus, and West Towns Chorus, over which time he won multiple International medals.​
Richard Louis Luckette, Sr. Baldwinsille, NY January 20, 2022
Member M1329 since August 2020
Rich sang bass proudly for the local group “Harmony Katz” and in his quartet “Off the Top”. He enjoyed
gardening, baking and sharing his produce and treats with his friends and family.
Dr. Greg Lyne - Brentwood, CA 1946 - January 14, 2022
Founding Member F0050 Since April 24, 2018
A coach, arranger and a four-time champion chorus director with the West Town Chorus (1987) and Masters of Harmony (1990, 1993, 1996),
Lyne received the Joe Liles Lifetime Achievement Award in Directing in 2010, and was named to the BHS Hall of Fame in
2013. From 1996-2005, he served as Director of Music Education and Services for the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Leon Bernard - Norfolk, VA 1938 - December 19, 2021
Charter Member C0004 Joined March 18, 2018
Leon was a long time member of both the Norfolk and Dundalk Chapters. A prolific baritone singer, he was a top notch 'Woodshedder' and could always be found singing with his many friends.
Brian Dunckel - Michigan February 10, 1954 - November 27, 2021
Member M1356 Since October 2020
Brian was a former President of the Pioneer District. He died in San Antonio while visiting his son Kevin, who had moved there.
David Diers Lyle, WA June 17, 1948 - November 9, 2021
Member C0377 Since January 17, 2017
He grew up in Portland, and after graduating in 1967, worked a few years for the Oregonian prior to joining the U.S. Navy as an E5 and serving in the Vietnam War.
Steve Pressley Schaumberg, IL July 6, 1956 - November 14, 2021
Member M1117 Since August 26, 2020
He was involved with the Barbershop Harmony Society and the Archdiocese of Chicago T.E.C. program.
Barry Brown, Glen Mills, PA, 1939 - Sept 16, 2021
Society Member M0996 since August 2020
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Barry was a member of the Dundalk, MD Chapter and a 50 year member of the Barbershop Harmony
Society. While singing in countless quartets, he was a four-time Mid-Atlantic District Champion as the bass of the Union Jacks ('70), B&O Connection ('78), Curtain Call ('83), and Tradewinds ('89). One of his proudest accomplishments was finishing 3rd at the 1979 International with the B&O, and anyone who has had the pleasure of hearing them sing will never forget that sound.
Paul Eugene Ogle Festus, MO July 31, 1942 - August 16, 2021
Charter Member C0293 Joined October 26, 2018
Paul was a member of the Rivertown Sound Barbershop Quartet, and he was a past president and member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 61 years. His wonderful bass voice will be remembered and cherished for generations to come.
Jay Howard Thornberry - St.Helens, OR May 16, 2039 - July 10, 2021
Member M1271 since August 2020
A barbershoper since1967 in the Mount Hood Chapter. A member of The Aliens Quartet, sining bass, were well known for their comedy entertainment, and traveled extensively,
singing throughout the US & Canada performing at chapter shows.
John 'Mac' Sabol, Saracuse, NY 1958 - May 4, 2021
Society Founding Member F0069, joined May 9, 2018
Mac was first introduced to barbershop singing by BGSU voice faculty and choral director, Richard Mathey. From that time on, Mac became active both as a director and member of barbershop choruses and was also lead (and baritone) in quartets in cities where he lived and worked (Platteville, WI; Cincinnati, OH; Syracuse, NY; Buffalo, NY; Binghamton, NY). As a barber shopper, Mac's talent lay in his leadership roles. He played a prominent and integral role across Seneca Land most recently and beyond for many, many years.
Michael Calhoun - Gulfport, FL 1935 - April 27, 2021
Member M0714 since August 2019
He was raised and lived in Brooklyn, New York until moving to Virginia and Florida in his retirement. Music and singing were a huge part of his life. He was a man of man, many songs. A dedicated barbershop chorus singer, he sang and organized the Westchester County, N.Y. Gold Chordsman chorus; and sang with the Big Apple, NY chorus, Alexandria V.A. Harmonizers; Harrisonburg, VA Harmonizers; and the Chorus of the Keys, FL. Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
Lacy Kyle - Birmingham, UK July 25, 1961 - April 21, 2021
Charter Member C0339 since December 2018
He was Vice President of Lodge #2 and Anvil Chorus in Birmingham, UK. Lacy, a bass singer, also sang with the Classmates Quartet.
Jim Lunak - Hesperia, CA June 9, 1937 - April 4, 2021
Member M0703 since July 2019
​John Weeks - St.Paris, OH September 27, 1950 - March 24, 2021
Member M0854 since June 2020
John was an Air Force Veteran and in the early 80's directed the Gold Coast Chorus in Arroyo Grande, CA. and was an Assistant Director of Sound of the Rockies Barbershop Chorus.
Jim Gallagher Salt Lake City, UT June 9, 1937 - March 23, 2021
Charter Member C0181 since July 2018
Jim was one of our original S.P.P.B.S.Q.S.U.S. Board members. He sang in over 10 quartets, with the Beehive Statesmen and Tri-W, and was a treasurer of the Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association. He regularly attended the annual Harmony College convention to share his love of singing. Through these hobbies he made many lifelong friendships across the country.
Ronald Gillies - Grand Bloc, MI July 19, 1930 - November 8, 2020
MemberM0965 since August 2020
Ron spent over 70 years in Barbershop music beginning with the Bean Town Four. He was a member of the Flint Arrowhead Barbershop Chorus and a Barbershop Chorus in Macomb County.
Keith Lindsay Eckhardt - Pacerville, CA September 9, 1941 - January 19, 2021
Charter Member C0290 since October 2018
He enjoyed singing but didn't learn about Barbershop harmony and the organization until in his late 30's. Keith was a member of the Bellingham Toppers and the Twin Falls, ID chapters and the Placerville CA Gold Rush Chrus. He was selected as the Far Western District Barbershopper of the Year in 2015. Keith designed and managed the program for the 23K Project - its goal was to interview all 23,000 BHS members at the time, charting their likes and dis-likes about the Society, and seeking their suggestions for improvement
John 'Jack' Slamka - N.Fort Myers, FL October 15, 1947 - November 28, 2020
Member M0866 since July 2020
Jack was active in the Barbershop Harmony Society, Lions Club and AMVETS. He was a member of the 2003 International Quartet Power Play.
Robert James Wachter - Alexandria, VA 6 MAR 1925 – 16 AUG 2020
Founding Member F0094 since May 2018
Bob joined SPEBSQSA in 1953. For over 46 years he directed Washington D.C. choruses Arlingtion, Fairfax Jubil-Aires, Alexandria Harmonizers and the famed daytime Harmony Heritage Singers., plus choruses from Roswell, NM, Little Rock AR, Ponca City OK, Middletown OH, to the Pleiku Highlands of Vietnam. And for more than 35 years he coached quartets at Harmony College East, as qualified by virtue of Harmony College Directors School.
Joseph M. Monahan - Hillsborough, NJ August 3, 1946 - March 26, 2020
Charter Member C0085 since May 2018
Personification of the Ideal Barbershopper and Friend, ​​Joe did it all, and did it well: Quartet – Chorus – Chapter President – Organizer – Motivator. ​​ A guy you just wanted to be with. .
John Sommer - Westerville, OH 1949 - March 16, 2020
Founding Member F0072 since May 2018
​John Grant - Derbyshire, UK March 4, 2020
Member M0598 since May 2019
Don Clause - Matlacha Isles, FL January 11, 1930 - January 27, 2020
Founding Member F0081 since May 2018
George "Fritz" Grunewald - Burkburnett, TX November 3, 1934 - January 8, 2020
Charter Member C0209 since August 2018
Andrew Solari - McQueeney, TX March 21, 1951 - July 1, 2019
Member M0641 since June 2019
Ev Nau - W.DesMoines, IA October 30, 1943-April 25, 2019
Member M0512 Since January 2019
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Doug Ward - Winnetka, Ca June 14, 1961-March 12, 2019
Charter Member C0280 since October 2018
Kirk Roose
Director Lorain and Akron OH chapters; former director 5th place 1981 International medalist Cherry Hill, NJ Pine Barons, Wilmington, DE, Manhattan NY, Bryn Mawr, PA, Elyria, OH, and Independence OH chapters; JAD director of the year 1994, 2005; Quartets since 1960 including Continental Four (M-AD 1967),
