Edward Garland Altman

He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1947. At the University of Richmond, he was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta, sang in the choir, and played in the band (graduated 1950). His master of music degree was from Richmond Polytechnic Institute, now VCU, in 1967.

He was as choir director at Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church when he was 18. After University of Richmond, he taught English at Thomas Dale High School. While directing a church choir in Starke, Florida, he met the love of his life, Patsy Benton. Ed joined the army and was stationed in Hawaii. He sang in the jazz vocal group, the Four Kings. In Prince William County Schools (Manassas, VA) he started his lifelong career as a school band director. Four Mile Creek Baptist church called him as choir director and Henrico County Schools as band director in Varina (east end of Henrico). He performed with the Richmond Symphony, and with big bands including Babe Barnes, Louis D’Arville, Bill Zickafoose, and the Continentals.

He was a member of MENC (Music Educators National Conference), VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association), and president of VBODA (VA Band and Orchestra Directors Association). He led church music for more than 50 years (with Patsy singing soprano, of course): Montrose Baptist, Weatherford Memorial, Woodland Heights, and Carlisle Avenue Baptist Churches.

Edward is predeceased by his father and mother, Leslie Edward & Christine Hill Altman and his sister, Theresa (Terry) Hammack. He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Benton Altman; his children- Edward Garland (Kathy Comer), Laura Christine Carr (Jim), Ellen Patrice Yearwood (Guille), Leslie Hill (Marian) and Timothy Meyer (Johanna); grandchildren- Douglas (Jessica), Garland (Kelly), Patrick (Ashleigh) Carr, Reed and Emory Yearwood, Joshua and Noah Altman; great- grandchildren- Nixie Fae, Tristan, Aria, Lou May Carr; nephews Eddie (Dale Monroe), Jay (Sharon) Hammack, Ed Hammack.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2 PM at Second Presbyterian, 5 N. 5th St., Richmond 23219, followed by a reception/visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite music organization.

Update:

Livestreaming of the service (and archive of video) can be found at:

2presrichmond.org

There is a parking deck at 2nd pres. Use the upper floors and get a sticker for your deck ticket in the church (deacon’s desk).