Patricia Beagle
Contributing Writer
On January 8, 2026, Alice Pedersen unexpectedly lost her husband of 34 years and the love of her life, Richard Pedersen. Before they were even married, he introduced her to Chautauqua. The couple became partners in lifelong learning, ecumenical growth and love of music.
Alice and Richard’s Chautauqua journey started with day trips from Warren, Pennsylvania. Eventually, they tried a denominational house. “We stayed at [the] Catholic House when Patt and Ray Defendorf were hosts,” Pedersen recalled. “Patt introduced me to the choir.” Later, Alice joined the Motet Choir, and the Pedersens became season residents. Soon after, Pedersen added choir librarian responsibilities to her plate.
Richard, who held degrees in biology and microbiology from Edinboro University, retained a voracious appetite for learning. While Alice was engaged with the choir, he soaked in knowledge and spiritual experiences at the denomination houses.
“Richard tried to go to all of the different denominations on Sunday morning before ‘big church’ all the time,” said Alice. “We’ve both been very ecumenical,” she shared. “He would go to morning worship, Juma’ah, and Shabbat all in the same day.”
Given Alice’s level of community involvement, Richard decided to do his part as well. He loved the lectures and decided to become a morning Amphitheater usher. He excelled at the role and was known to scratch the ears of every furry visitor.
Richard was a favorite of fellow ushers. Michelle Darby described him as steadfast and welcoming, with a gentle nature and ready smile. Bob Boell said, “He was a very caring person marked by precision and a touch of humor.”
Wayne Nelson recalled Richard as “sweet and faithful,” with a fondness for puns. “He had a sweet tooth you would not believe,” Nelson confided. “He would make the rounds of every denominational house on Tuesday afternoons, and that covered his faith and his sweet tooth.”
The Pedersens were always neighborly with fellow residents on Ames Avenue, where Richard is missed. Bethanne Snodgrass always considered them extremely friendly people. “Richard was generous and kind and willing to lend a helping hand. He had a cheerful word for everyone and made the time for a hello,” she said.
In her grief following Richard’s death, Alice sought a way to remember Richard’s name. Inspired by 2025 remarks by Kyle Keogh, interim chief executive, she was moved to support the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in a special way.
“Kyle said that our symphony was not endowed, and most symphonies are endowed. That planted a seed,” she said. That seed grew into Pedersen’s endowment of a CSO chair. The Richard Garvey Pedersen Viola Chair honors both her husband and his father, Garvey Pedersen. Garvey Pedersen, also a Chautauquan, played viola in the Warren Civic Orchestra (now the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra). Today, Alice Pedersen plays clarinet in the same orchestra.
Debbie Moore, executive director of the Chautauqua Foundation, expressed how incredibly valuable an endowment such as this is to Chautauqua. “It is a true privilege to help establish endowments in memory of loved ones. Through these conversations, I learn what makes the Institution so meaningful to each donor. Because endowments are created to last forever, they preserve those memories,” she said.
Stephanie Scutella described Richard as gentle, friendly and helpful. “He seemed to value the simple things in life. I always appreciated how much he adored Alice and supported her endeavors,” she said. “My memories of Rick will be that of service and giving, and it’s so fitting that Alice is honoring his legacy with an orchestral seat.”
Recently, Alice Pedersen had an opportunity to meet CSO Principal Violin Chair Christopher Fischer, who will be the first musician to serve in this newly endowed chair.
“I am so grateful to Alice Pedersen for her incredibly generous gift to the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra,” he said. “It is an honor to sit in the chair that she has endowed in memory of her late husband, Richard, whose father played the viola. I know it will support the symphony for generations to come.”
Alice Pedersen is pleased with the way she has chosen to remember Richard. “The CSO is such a gem … you don’t get this anywhere else,” she said. “I would like to see it live forever. I think Richard is happy to know he has a part in it.”
