Richard Allen Sorenson

Richard Allen Sorenson died peacefully at his home at Capital Manor on March 24th, 2026 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 86.

Richard is survived by his son David Sorenson and daughter Lisa Toney; grandchildren Bastian Sorenson and Daniel Toney; sister Marilyn Baca and brother-in-law Bill Baca; Richard is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Sorenson, his parents, and sisters Sally Baschke and Barbara Atkins.

Richard was born on February 17th, 1940 in Spencer, Iowa to Glenn and Dorothy Sorenson. He grew up on the family farm near Spencer. His dad played accordion with a neighborhood group for dances, and they rehearsed in the family home, encouraging an early love of music. Richard enjoyed playing piano and began lessons when he was 7. He took up the tuba in high school, played in the band, and was inspired to become a band director because of his high school band director. He attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa). He played in the orchestra, brass quintet, and all the bands. He played a senior recital on piano and was chosen to perform with the College Symphony Orchestra, for which he played the Grieg Piano Concerto. He graduated summa cum laude with a BA degree in music. He received the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship to pursue his Masters Degree, which he did at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. After graduation from Eastman, he taught in public schools for 4 years in Iowa; the last year he taught in the public schools, his junior high school band performed by invitation for the annual Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference. Then he moved to Boulder, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado, where he met Mary Lucas. They married in 1968. While he was working on his doctorate, he served as graduate assistant instructor of tuba. After receiving his PhD in music education, he and Mary moved to Monmouth, Oregon, where he worked at the Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) from 1969-1999. They had two children, David and Lisa.

Richard loved music and dedicated his life to sharing music with others through teaching, conducting bands, and playing tuba. In 1972 he was invited to become the director of the Albany Civic Band (now Willamette Valley Concert Band) and served as their conductor for 45 years. He served as the head of the WOU music department for his last 5 years before retiring. He enjoyed directing the WOU symphonic band, pep band, marching band, and jazz ensemble. He started the high school concert band and jazz ensemble festivals. He ran the Solo Ensemble Contest for Oregon Music Educators Association (OMEA). He was active in OMEA and served as vice president of the group for which he organized and ran the Oregon State Solo Contest. He was a member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and served that group, including being president for 2 years for the Northwest Division. He was active as an adjudicator and clinician for numerous band festivals and contests in Oregon. His college bands performed throughout the state of Oregon, as well as other states and Canada. He performed tuba with several groups including the Salem Concert Band and the Capitol Brass Quintet. He also organized and directed the Reconstituted Monmouth-Independence Town Band for 40 years.

Richard enjoyed gardening, swimming, and spending time with his family. He was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, serving on the music and worship committee, the board of the Lutheran Fine Arts Foundation, communion assistant, and ushering.

In 2015, he and his wife Mary moved to Capitol Manor in Salem, Oregon. He enjoyed making many new friends and spending time with old friends who also lived there.

A memorial service is scheduled for May 31st at 2pm at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon with reception following. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Richard's life. He will also be honored by the Willamette Valley Concert Band in their Memorial Day Concert on May 25th, 2026 at 2pm at Albany Performing Arts Center. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to support local community bands or Parkinson's research. He greatly appreciated the staff at Capital Manor and Manor Care. Memories and Condolences welcomed.