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Durrell Armstrong
Published in the Wichita Eagle from 12/27-28/2008, "Armstrong, Durrell, 75, Player Piano Co. Owner,
passed away Thursday, December 25, 2008. Graveside service 2:00 Monday,
December 29, 2008, White Chapel Cemetery. Survivors, long time friend and
companion, Jack Johnson; sister, Elaine (Kenneth) Wimmer, Wichita; nephews
and niece, Don (Lisa) Wimmer, Jon (Kim) Wimmer and Cindi (Joe) Montgomery; 7
great and 2 great-great nieces and nephews. Memorials to National
Parkinson's Foundation. Services by Broadway Mortuary."
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January 25, 2009 |
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I began with Durrell in 1962, while
they were still on Vassar Street. I was in junior high and he was so helpful
to me and always treated me as an adult. I never met him but his influence
on the entire world of mechanical music is indisputable and eternal. I can
imagine he would want the company to continue in some form and I'm sure we
all hope the company to which he gave his working life will carry on in the
service Durrell so loved. |
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John Osborne (Stanton, CA)
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January 24, 2009 |
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While working today in our shop here in
Michigan, a friend (Nick Pool) told me over the phone the very sad news that
Durrell had passed. Jane and I have had SO many great conversations with
Durrell over the past decades...Durrell was truly an American Treasure, in
the purist sense. There were many times when we were stumped on a player or
reproducer, and Durrell's kind and gentle voice pulled us through! We send
our deepest condolences and sympathy to Jack, and Durrell's family and
friends...God Speed Durrell...you will be missed old friend. Rick and Jane
www.actionpianoservice.com |
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Rick Davies (Kalamazoo, MI)
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January 12, 2009 |
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My condolences on your loss. I did not
know Durrell very well but it was always a pleasure doing business with him.
He will be missed. |
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Jeff Beck (Kansas City, MO)
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December 30, 2008 |
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Mr. Armstrong was always there to
answer our questions and provide the needed special player piano supplies
for our rebuilding projects. He and Mr. Harvey Roehl many times provided me
with the encouragement and mentoring to complete difficult and important
projects. |
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Fred Scoles (Oswego, NY)
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December 30, 2008 |
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Although I didn't know Durrell
personally, I still remember the first time I called to order parts for my
first simple player project and he answered the phone. We must have talked
for 45 minutes and he not only gave me a lot of tips, but inspired me to
continue on to work on the more complicated reproducers. I always felt like
I had a knowledgeable friend that was available if I ever got stuck. My
condolences to friends and families. |
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Brian Benson (Kalamazoo, MI)
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December 29, 2008 |
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Our deepest condolences to Jack his
long time companion and family over the loss of this giant of our hobby.
Durrell was truly an institution that helped contribute and help the rebirth
of so many instruments that ultimately helped rekindled an interest in so
many of these instruments, his company providing many parts and supplies
available no where else - showing that automatic pianos and their cousins
were more than simply a business with him. He will always be missed, but as
with all great figures, never be replaced. |
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Stephen K Goodman
(Fresno-Clovis, CA)
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December 29, 2008 |
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Durrell will live on for years to come
in the smiles of those who hear the music machines he helped to save for all
of us to enjoy.
Thank You My Friend!
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Rich Schommer (Alliance, NE)
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December 29, 2008 |
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I was shocked and saddened by this
news. I couldn't have operated my own business of player piano repair
without Durrell and Player Piano Co. I started in 1970 and his was the most
consistent of all the suppliers in the business. Durrell was so much more
than just a supplier, too. He loved player pianos and automatic music. He
will be so missed.
My sympathy to Jack and the family. Thanks, Thanks! Jere DeBacker
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Jere DeBacker (Denver, CO)
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December 29, 2008 |
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So sorry to hear about Durrell's deathI
had know him for over 30 years and enjoyed talking to regularly.
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Herb Johsnon (Lake Zurich, IL)
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December 28, 2008 |
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I have known Durrell since 1958. I used
to stop in when I went to the PTG meetings in Wichita. We spent lots of
hours discussing player technology. He will be missed . |
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H. C. Beckman (BERRYTON, KS)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Durrell, We'll all miss you and what
you did for our player piano hobby. It's terrible to have to say Good Bye to
another great figure in our hobby. I'm just another one of Player Piano
Company's customers who have been messing around with my players since I was
a college kid for some 50 years. |
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Dick Merchant (Carlsbad, NM)
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December 28, 2008 |
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My deepest condolences for all
Durrell's family, friends and clients.
He and the team have been so appreciated and helpful to me throughout my
player rebuilding history. His passing has touched me deeply and he WILL be
missed!
May God's blessings and peace fill the hearts of all!
Roger
Roger's Piano Service
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Roger Jennison (Colorado
Springs, CO)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Gladfully Silent
Shush my friend Not know
Open the door I'll show you how
The greet the little child
Brash, smart and wild
Bordering on the edge of a voice
I didn't question your chice
Battling lifes challenges awake
Give it a full throttle
Never hit the brake or pick up a rake
You are the buddy of all
Even those short and tall
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Willister Banderwaxon (Bentton,
NE)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Never to busy to not offer help.
APswenson ( Port Arhrur.Tx)
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Arnold Swenson (Port Arthur,
TX)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Dear Jack,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you and Durrell's family.
Without Durrell's guidance and help, I would not have been able to succeed
in the player piano restoration business.
I remember his first lists of player piano supplies from over 50 years ago.
They consisted of two mimeographed pieces of paper.
I saw the business prosper and develop over the years. I still use his
catalogs for references, and will treasure them always.
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Bruce Clark (Interlaken, NY)
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December 28, 2008 |
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My name is Gary Stevenson of St.Louis
MO and I signed Durrell's book Dec 27th. I wanted to write something but did
not get prompted and lost my chance Can you help me? If I had the chance I
would have said....
"Durrell Armstrong was an inspiration to many of us who knew little about
mechanical music and came into the hobby in the second wave of collectors.
He started in it when very little materiel could be found to make these
machines work. He found ways to help and guide us through our first
restorations and helped many of us enjoy the music of the past. I was one of
many who ventured into the plains of Kansas, just for the chance to visit
him and his P.P.Co. You will be missed, God Bless You." |
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Gary Stevenson (So. St.Louis,
MO)
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December 28, 2008 |
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My business would not exist today
without the help of Durrell and Player Piano Co. I owe him a great debt of
gratitude. I published an article in my 2007 newsletter about the roots of
Player Piano Co. In the process of interviewing Durrell, I got to know him a
little better....quite a guy. He will be missed. |
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Donald Barton (Minneapolis, MN)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Durrell and I began player piano work
when we were just young kids . he was working out off his parents garage and
I new vary little about player pianos. great friends down threw the years.
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Leonard Railsback (Hutchinson,
KS)
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December 28, 2008 |
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We have lost a driving force in the
restoration of automatic musical instruments. He will be missed.
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Ed Gaida (San Antonio, TX)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Dearest Jack,
My sincere best wishes to you in this difficult time. I am extremely sad at
this news. Durrell will be missed by many, many people around the world.
I have been in contact with Durrell and Player Piano Company since about
1963 when my mother bought me Larry Given's book, "Rebuilding The Player
Piano". In the slipcase at the back of the book was an information card for
Player Piano Company. That was the beginning of the 45 year friendship I
have had with P.P.Co.
The correspondence and telephone calls I made for questions and ordering
were always delightful and you guys consistantly made your customers feel
like friends and that is a rarity in business today!
Losing a partner in this short life is a devastating thing but I hope that
the future is kind and bright for you after this moment of darkness.
Durrell contributed much more than people will ever know. Thanks to both of
you!
Sincerely,
Robin Pratt (& Baby)
Pratt's Piano Service
ARTISTS' CHOICE MUSIC ROLLS
516 Pierce Street
Sandusky, Ohio 44870-4725
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Robin Pratt (Sandusky, OH)
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December 28, 2008 |
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Durrell, we will miss you - thanks for
your inventiveness in helping with the mechanical music community.
Ron Bopp
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Ron Bopp (Bradenton, FL)
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December 27, 2008 |
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Gary Stevenson (South St.Louis,
MO)
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December 27, 2008 |
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It is with great sadness that I learned
of Durrell's passing. My condolensces to the family and his friends. I never
really knew Durrell personally; I was one of his customers "way back when"
and sincerely appreciate his contribution to the mechanical music community.
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Brian Shaw (Los Angeles area,
CA)
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December 27, 2008 |
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Durrell has been such a great help to
the rebuilders and musicians. He probably more responsible for saving
instruments many other persons. |
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Bill Chapman (la quinta, CA)
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December 27, 2008 |
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I knew Durrell for 54 years from the
time Player Piano Co. was at 222 N. Vassar, Wichita, his parents' home. In
all those years doing business, I was always treated squarely and helpfully,
by Durrell himself. I very much regret his passing. |
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Bill Pixley (Arkansas City, KS)
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December 27, 2008 |
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Durrell was one of several leaders in
the renewal of interest in player pianos, and will be missed.
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Bennet Leedy (Coloma, MI)
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December 27, 2008 |
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Durrell helped tens of thousands of
people worldwide to enjoy wonderful player piano music since 1951 when he
began selling player piano repair materials, supplies and rolls. As his
Player Piano Co. grew to having dozens of employees, he always took the time
to help anyone who called---beginner and professional alike---with his
advice, based on his decades of experience. He was one of a very few people
who helped to keep the player piano alive for almost 60 years. We will all
miss him greatly.
John Motto-Ros, Dick Kroeckel and Art Reblitz, on behalf of AMICA
International (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association). |
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Art Reblitz (Colorado Springs,
CO)
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December 27, 2008 |
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May your hearts soon be filled with
wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life
well-lived.
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Don Ziegler (Wichita) |
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