Richard D. Lapo

Richard D. Lapo was born in Ithaca New York to Cecil and Beatrice Lapo. His family which included his sister Carol (Carol Lapo Smith) also lived in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio and Wichita Falls Texas. Richard graduated from Wichita Falls High School and trekked to Westminster Choir College in Princeton New Jersey. Following in their father Cecil’s footsteps, both Richard and Carol graduated from Westminster Choir College. After he received his BA in Music, “Dick” completed his Master’s degree also at Princeton in 1955. Westminster continued to be a lifelong theme and inspiration in his work and accomplishments. While attending college, one of his favorite summer jobs was working at Yellowstone National Park where he hauled garbage by day and led sing-a-longs and nightly entertainment for the tourists in the Old Faithful Lodge by night. This added a note of hilarity to his classical training that was woven into his life. After graduating he was immediately recruited to Catalina United Methodist Church as the minister of music where he grew a multigenerational choir system of 11 choirs and 500 choristers. He also met a lovely young soprano in his adult choir, named Nancy. They made their life together for the next 61 years. They had two children Debra Lapo and Robert Lapo while living in Tucson. He also continued music ministry at churches in Florida and Phoenix until Dr. William E. Steward, also an alumnus of Westminster Choir College, recruited him to music faculty at Wenatchee Valley College. He and Nancy packed up the family and arrived in Wenatchee hauling a U-Haul trailer on a dismal grey snowless winter day in January 1967. While Richard enjoyed his multiple roles as choral conductor, instructor of voice, music theory, music appreciation etc. at WVC, Nancy taught for Head Start. It was through this program that William (Andersen) Lapo became known to our family and was adopted into it. It takes pages to write all of Richard’s accomplishments, productions and performances in his years at Wenatchee College 1967-1994 and following into retirement. Highlights included performing the lead roles of Curly (“Oklahoma”-1969), Fagin (“Oliver”- 1971) and, his favorite of all time, Tevye (“Fiddler on the Roof” -1973 and 1988) with Wenatchee Music Theatre. He started a community chorus which later became Columbia Chorale, conducted the YMCA Boys’ Choir, and, together with Keith Sexson produced and directed numerous WVC musicals including several productions of Menotti’s “Amahl and The Night Visitors”. In 2004 he was awarded the Stanley Lifetime Achievement Award and had previously been named Instructor of the year at Wenatchee Valley College in 1985. He retired from Wenatchee Valley College in 1994 and even then continued his life in music serving as NW Liaison for the Community Concert Association along with his wife Nancy. Throughout his career of teaching, conducting and performing, his wife Nancy was by his side: He was the front man and she was his supporter and steadfast partner. Taking his final bow, Richard Lapo passed away, his family and wife Nancy at his bedside. He lived a rich and wonderful life. Well Done. Bravo! (Final Curtain) He is survived by his wife Nancy Lee Lapo; daughter Debra Lapo and her husband John Ballinger; Deb’s two children Karl Lapo, of Bayreuth Germany, and Kristiana Lapo, of Bellingham; sons Robert Lapo and William Lapo; and sister Carol Lapo Smith and husband Leonard Smith of Raleigh NC. Join the Lapo family for a Celebration Open House to remember Dick Lapo on Monday, June 4, from 5 to 7PM at the Wenatchee Valley College Music and Art Center on Fifth Street. If you have ever sung under Richard's direction, join the Columbia Chorale at 6:15PM to gather in The Grove to sing the Lutkin Benediction. Nancy, Debbie, Kristiana, Bob, Bill Lapo, & John Ballinger and The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Throughout his career at Wenatchee Valley College, Richard watched out for those who were in need of money or scholarships in order to allow them to remain in school. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Knight’s Fund in memory of Richard Lapo.

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Richard D. Lapo

June 6, 1932 - March 29, 2018