“The legacy of flute playing that you passed on to so many of us continues on and is a priceless
gift that you gave to us.” — Former flute student.
Dent Williamson, born Jan. 13, 1931, passed on Jan. 18, 2020. A born and raised New Englander, Dent Williamson, “our pilgrim,” was a talented musician, a dedicated teacher, a loving husband to his wife of 52 years, a doting father to his two children, and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.
Dent earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the New England Conservatory in Boston and his Doctorate degree in Music Education at Combs College of Music in Philadelphia. He met the love of his life, Joan, in New York City in 1966 while they were on tour with the Martha Graham Dance Company orchestra.
For 32 years, Dent taught flute at The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College.) For 35 summers, he served as the second flutist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in Chautauqua, New York, where he also worked as the Orchestra Librarian. Previously, he played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the San Antonio Symphony, and the Trenton Symphony Orchestra.
Dent had the patience of a saint and an uncanny memory. He was a walking encyclopedia of baseball trivia and was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. He was a creative and open-minded thinker and treated everyone — regardless of their station in life — with respect and kindness. Dent was an avid student of American history, traveled extensively in his retirement, and never met a chocolate chip cookie he didn’t like.
Dent moved to Willow Valley in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his children Andrew and Lesley, and his beloved dog Sardi and cat Buddy.