Obituary

Carol crumrine eich of charleston, west virginia and st. Petersburg, florida entered into eternal rest april 14, 2015.

Born in wadsworth, ohio, june 7^th, 1939 on her father’s birthday.  the first child of robert charles and ida zepp crumrine.  she is survived by her husband of 42 years, martin wayne eich, her sister roberta christine crumrine of cambridge mass, her boston terrier, emmy lou, and katy, the kitty.

Carol began piano lessons in her early years and then pipe organ with her wadsworth neighbor, john muller.  she played services at wadsworth’s united methodist church before entering college. She is a graduate of oberlin conservatory with a bachelor of music degree, studying organ with fenner douglas and spending her junior year at the mozarteum in salzburg austria.  at syracuse university, she obtained a master’s degree in organ performance, studying with author poister, and a phd in humanities.

Carol came to west virginia to fill a vacancy of oberlin classmate, brenda vanderford, at west virginia state college.  when the administration knew of her pending degree in humanities they asked her to stay on and teach humanities.  she became a professor of music and humanities and taught for 42 years at what now is west virginia state university. Carol was one of the editors and authors of the first edition of the “origins” textbook that continues to be part of the core curriculum at wvsu. Carol loved teaching at wvsc and also loved teaching organ. She was an exceptional organist and teacher.

When carol first arrived in charleston, she served for a short time as organist of st. Mark’s methodist church in downtown charleston.  in 1972 she became the organist at frist presbyterian church where she served for 33 years.  the acquisition of the church’s landmark fisk organ was encouraged by carol and the minister of music at the time, david s. Deaderick.  that instrument, designed by the fisk organ company of gloucester, mass under the direction of charles fisk, was installed by his associates.  carol retired from first presbyterian in 2005 to spend time caring for her aging mother in st. Petersburg, florida.

Carol’s first recital in charleston took place at the first united methodist church on glendale avenue on the walker memorial holtkamp organ.  she played several recitals for the summer orgelfest series in charleston and accompanied major choral works for the charleston civic chorus at the charleston baptist temple on the centennial holtkamp organ.  in recent years, she loved playing for evensong at st. John’s episcopal church in downtown charleston and participated in the research and editing of the book “cass gilbert’s west virginia state capitol”, authored by ann wilkins and david g. Wilkins.

Carol will be greatly missed for her kind gentle spirit and loving smile.  the world is a better place for the influence of her life in the hearts and lives of her friends and family.   carol and wayne were a part of a gourmet club meeting regularly since 1967. Carol’s friends and neighbors have provided immeasurable support to her family in this challenging time of her battle with cancer.  the family expresses its greatest love and admiration to all who have given encouragement during this time, and for the care of hospice.

Funeral service will be 2 p.M. Saturday, april 18, at st. John’s episcopal church, 1105 quarrier street, charleston, west virginia with the rev. Marquita l. Hutchens officiating.   interment will be in wadsworth, ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the st. John’s episcopal church organ restoration fund.

Condolences may be sent to the family using the send condolences button above .

Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston has been entrusted with the arrangements.