Vernon deTar died on Thursday, October 7, 1999 in Kennett Square, PA. He had been a resident at Kendal at Longwood for the past 18 years. Born in Detroit, MI on May 6, 1905, he was the son of John A. and Bertha Sherrod DeTar. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Irene Stern deTar, his brother, Dr. John S. (Jack) DeTar, and his sisters, Annabelle Johnson and Sister Leila Margaret.

Vernon was educated in the Detroit public schools, attended Wayne State University for one year prior to attending Syracuse University where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1927. Following graduation he studied privately in New York City with Franklin Cannon (piano), David McK. Williams (organ), and Fernando Germani (organ).

He was the organist and choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 5th Avenue at 10th Street, New York City, from 1939 until 1981, and at Calvary Episcopal Church, on Gramercy Park, New York City, from 1931 to 1939. He was the organist for the Bach Festival in Bethlahem, PA from 1950 to 1970. He performed recitals, lead master classes, workshops and conferences in all parts of the country for the American Guild of Organists chapters and conventions, at colleges and universities. While at Ascension, Vernon performed numerous concerts and services of music. He directed Honegger's 'King David' 26 years consecutively.

He was a member ot the faculty at the Juilliard School in New York City (organ and church music) from 1947 to 1982, Union Theological Seminary, New York City, from 1945 until its closing in 1971, and at the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, New Haven, CT (organ) from 1971 to 1982. He was a member of the National Council of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Hymn Society of America, the Board of Episcopal Music Commission, the Board of College of Church Musicians, and the Board of the Washington Cathedral.

Albion College, Albion, MI, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Music in 1965, and he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sacred Music by the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, CA, in 1965. He received Associate and Fellowship Certificates from the American Guild of Organists, and the Syracuse University George Arents Award for Outstanding Alumni in 1959, the Alumni Award from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, in 1955.

Following his retirement, he continued to play as substitute organist for local churches, and to conduct private teaching and workshops. He also directed the Kendal Singers at Kendal at Longwood, and was chairman of the Kendal Music concert series from 1981 to 1991.

He is survived by his daughter, Neenah A. Kromer, grandson Charles M. Taggart, II (Candor, NY), granddaughters Bethany Renee Taggart (Syracuse, NY) and Wendy Gail Taggart (Candor, NY), and his great-grandchildren, Chelsea Leigh Taggart and Jacob L. Copeland (Candor, NY) and Kaley Lynn Taggart (Syracuse, NY); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at the Church of the Advent, 401 North Union Street, Kennett Square, PA on Saturday, October 16 beginning with an hour of organ music. Burial was private in Westerly, RI, near Shelter Harbor where the deTar's had spent many summers at the beach.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, November 14, 1999 at 4:00 PM at the Church of the Ascension, Fifth Avenue at 10th Street, New York City. The traditional Episcopal Burial Service (without Eucharist) will be enriched with a very large selection of musical tributes. Musicians participating will be Dennis Keene, Jon Gillock, Mark Kruczek, Harvey Burgett, and the Church of the Ascension Choir, augmented for this occasion. Works will include selections from DuruflŽ's Requiem, Honnegger's King David, Louie White's St. Teresa's Bookmark, hymns, and major organ compositions by Bach, Mendelssohn, Messiaen, and others. A large reception will take place after the service in the parish hall. Everyone is welcome.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Kendal Music Program, PO Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348; The Organ Fund, Church of the Ascension, 12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011, and, The Music Program, Church of the Advent, 401 North Union Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.