David Christopher Reader
May 11, 2008
Reader David Christopher., 26, of Augusta, GA, formerly of Wichita, principal cellist of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, died Sunday, May 11, 2008. Service 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 17, College Hill United Methodist Church. Survivors: parents, Dr. G. Whitney and Eva Reader of Wichita; siblings, Gabriela Young of Arlington, VA., J. Whitney Reader of Germany, Christiana Reader of Cleveland, OH, Benjamin Reader of Alaska, Annamarie Reader, Daniel Reader and John Reader, all of Wichita; grandmother, Christa Hauk of Germany. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Davids name with Operation Mobilization, P.O. Box 444, Tyrone, GA, 30290. (Crisis relief for disaster areas. For more information, www.usa.om.org.) Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
To the entire Reader family: I feel your pain. No one should have to go through what you are going through. May God grant you strength and comfort during this difficult time. I enjoyed my time with David as many of his other cello students and friends at WSU. I still remember the time he auditioned and earned a position for the Wichita Symphony just days after his left arm cast came off. What a guy! I don’t know how he did it. I loved all of David’s jokes, nice visits between classes, passion for Bach, witty humor, and advise–whether I needed it or not. David was just living his dream as being principal cellist. And it is so sad to hear that his dream and his life were cut short over a tragic thing like this. My prayers are with you. Keep pressing on!!!! The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit—Psalm 34:18
To David’s Family: We played in the WSU Symphony Orchestra when David was at WSU, and we were heartbroken to hear of his death. He was such a talented an inspirational musician, but more than that, he was just a beautiful person…such a great and genuine guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Very sincerely, Andy and Tiffany Tryon
Dear Dr. and Mrs Reader I was saddened by the news of your son,I know you were very proud of him. May the Lord give you peace. You are in my prayers. Rosie Smith(retired RN-St.Lukes Hosp.) and Jack Smith
Dear Reader Family, Words cannot express my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I am a fellow cellist and play w/the Augusta Symphony. We both studied @ GSU with Martha, although our time there did not overlap. David really was a breath of fresh air in the ASO. He was a most friendly guy and a solid cellist! I really got to know him better a few weeks ago when we played LA TRAVIATA in Savannah. We had a great time at Tybee Island that weekend. He was very excited about his blossoming career and especially that cello he was trying from Chicago. A couple of us listened to him one night as he played the 1st movement of Brahms’ E minor sonata from memory, absolutely note perfect (full volume in his hotel room @ 2 am)-so inspiring! I got a kick out of that. He had a bold personality which I respected. So much drive and talent! He’d go out of his way to be kind to people. He would occassionally compliment my playing and thank me for ‘leading’ from the back of the section. That always made me feel appreciated. It saddens me greatly to know how much potential was lost in David’s early departure. My thought and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Sincerely, Miro Gomez
Dr. and Mrs Reader, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your son and sibling. I apologize that I will be out of town for the weekend and am unable to attend his memorial service. If I can be of assistance to you in any way, please let me know. With deepest sympathy, Hossein T. Amirani M.D.
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Reader and family. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you! We lost a 40 year old daughter in 2003 and can feel your pain. I wish I could say the suffering goes away but with each such event the hurt continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Reader and Family, I, too, and the parent of a cellist (Sarah Mathews – East High, principle cellist Youth Symphony this past year). Sarah is a classmate of Daniel’s and was Annamarie’s stand-mate at East during her Senior year. I wanted to let you know how saddened we were to hear of David’s very senseless death. I am sorry for the pain this must be causing you, especially during a time when you should be celebrating more happier events, including Daniel’s graduation. From what I have heard and read, David was an extraordinary young man, both musically and personally. I wish that I had had the chance to meet him and to hear him play. Please know that our thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Juliann, Andrew, and Sarah Mathews
David was one of my former students at Georgia State, someone I was particularly fond of and especially enjoyed working with. I have known few people as committed to music as a performer or listener. He would often hang around my office on the off-chance that I would have a moment free to answer a question, or to hear him play a passage on cello or piano, or just to talk. He loved turning pages for me in concerts, just so he could learn a new piece or be a part of a performance. David was also one of the most considerate and kind people I have known. Unfailingly courteous and deferential, he was genuinely grateful for the help he got, and unswervingly loyal. It saddens me beyond measure to think that we will not have him continue to enrich our lives with his artistry and his presence. My prayers and best wishes go to all his family.
Dear Reader Family, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of David. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I have fond memories of your entire family. I will never forget David’s kind and compassionate spirit that continues to impact my life. God Bless all of you. You are a strong and beautiful family. Mandy ‘McCombs’ Schutt
To Davids Family, I was in shock when I saw his picture on the news. I called Ashley and Christopher and told them what happen. They too were in shock. They both wanted to be at the funeral but both are away at school. I can remember carpooling to Northfield, and of course we were never on time. I can also remember David playing basketball and of course the concerts they did. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the family of David, I am at a loss for words… and have been for the last week. The concert we played together the night before his tragic death was one of the most memorable times for me as Concertmaster of the Augusta Symphony. The smile he had throughout the concert and enjoyment he had of making music even though it was not the best of conditions is unforgettable and inspirational. Music was his life blood! The past year of making music together will never be forgotten. He brought a new life to all of us and reminded us what music, frienship and camaraderie was about and for that and more I will never forget. The world has lost an extremely fine cellist this week but his music making will be forever in my heart. Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Reader for sharing your son and your family’s talent with us and the world. He will be sorely missed. I will be with you in thought tomorrow morning…and sorry I could not be there to pay my respects to a great musician. With great sympathy and thoughts, Ryan Kho
My heart mourns for the loss of your son. Life at times is cut short and reminds us of our no guarantee of how long we will be here to experience the joy of friends, family and favorite activities. I was a neighbor of his in Cincinnati.
Dear Reader Family, I knew David when he was a freshman music student at Wichita State University. He had a pleasant, unassuming personality, and was always cheerful and outgoing. Since I was several years older than David, I shared no direct classes with him, but I observed that he was always kind and courteous, even to those whom he barely knew. He seemed to have a smile for everyone. I will keep your family in my prayers, as you remember David’s life and enthusiasm, and the talents God gave him, which David so richly shared with others.
I was a classmate of David’s at GSU. I did not know him very well but we had a conversation here or there and he once offered to give me cello lessons. I actually saw him this past Friday. I had gone to GSU to look in the gig book(both David and I played at the Governor’s mansion at various events) and was walking back to my car in the Equitable parking deck. I passed by him and we said hello to each other. I was so sad to hear of his death and to realize that he was now gone, even though I saw him a little over 48 hours earlier. So senseless and tragic. David and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Eva, my heart goes out to you as you mourn the death of your son, David. I never met him, but I know from the conversations we have had over the years, how close your relationship was between you and each of your children. David was a gifted, talented man with a loving, caring spirit from all I’ve read of him thru other tributes. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. Please know that I am lifting you and your family up in prayer at this time, and I pray that God will grant you the peace that only He can give to ease the pain and loss you are feeling now. In sympathy and friendship, Sherre Winkle
Dear Eva and family, May God bless all of you at this very difficult time. May your love of God, family and friends give you strength. I will remember you before our Father.
To the family of David Reader: My 8-year-old daughter was one of David’s piano students in the Augusta Prep Conservatory program. I just wanted to let you know that we thought very highly of David and were awed by his talent. This was her first introduction to music lessons and his patience and enthusiasm were a tribute to his character and love for music. We are so very sorry for your loss. It is so hard to understand when bad things happen to such a good person. Our daughter takes comfort in knowing that David has joined the symphony of angels. We will continue to keep you in our prayers. The Fuller family
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. David just played with a performance of the Brahams Requiem that several area choirs put on; he came to the choral rehearsals and turned pages for the pianist, probably to get a feel for the pieces. We were impressed that he would take the time to do this, and the performance was lovely. This is an astounding tragedy, and our hearts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts are with all of you in this difficult time. David was one of the kindest people I ever knew. I can’t express how sorry I am.