Raymond Henry Herbek

HERBEK, DR. RAYMOND H., 89, of Richmond, VA, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 2, 2014. He was a long time church musician in the area, serving as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Richmond for 27 years and Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church for 17 years. He also played the organ frequently at the Woody Funeral Homes and other area churches. He served as Minister of Music at churches in Petersburg, VA, Selma, AL, and Norfolk, VA. He earned multiple degrees in music, composition, conducting and organ, and served on the adjunct faculty at VCU. He composed a number of original organ and choral pieces, and arranged extensively for choral and handbell choirs. He travelled to multiple international countries, performing with handbell choirs and as an organist. He also conducted groups who performed for the Governor of Virginia, and at the White House for five U.S. Presidents. In addition to many former students, choir members and friends, he leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Leah Jordan Herbek; two sons, Rev. Tom Herbek (Joan) of New York and Gary Herbek (Jamie) of Virginia; four grandsons, Jason Herbek (Jenny), Matt Herbek, Brian Herbek, and David Herbek, and one great-grandson, J.J. Herbek, all of northern Virginia, and special family friends Ed and Linda Yarbrough. A memorial service will be held at Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church, 6100 Chamberlayne Road, Richmond, VA, on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Samaritan Fund at The Hermitage, 6100 Westwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23227. Condolences may be left a woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.