Folkert Herpel Kadyk, 90, of Honey Brook, PA passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Born June 25, 1932 in Tulsa, OK, he was the son of late Rev. J. Merion and Elizabeth H. Kadyk.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jean Erickson Kadyk, in 2020. He is survived by their two children, Charles C. Kadyk, and wife Diane of Mohnton, PA and Winona K. Smith and husband Randall M. Smith Sr. of Honey Brook, PA; 2 grandchildren; Randall M. Smith, Jr. and wife Jennifer, and Great Granddaughter, Jolene Rae, of Philadelphia, and Christina E. Smith, of Reading. He is also survived by 4 brothers, Fred and wife Janet of Rockford Il, Peter, of Huntsville AK, Marc and wife Sandy, of Boone NC, Bill and wife Ginny, of St. Louis, MO, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He attended several grade schools in the various towns and states, where his father, a Presbyterian Minister, was Pastor. He graduated in the class of 1950 from Bernardsville High School in Bernardsville, NJ. He attended Purdue University, Wooster College, and graduated with a Music Education degree in 1955. He went on to attend graduate school at Yale University, and later Temple University where he graduated with a Masters Degree in Music Education in 1961.
One of his passions was furthering his educational goals. He went on to complete another Masters Degree in Public School Administration, from Villanova University in 1981 and later a Doctorate in Music Education from Temple University in 1986.
He began his career, teaching residents at the Byberry State Hospital, in Philadelphia, applying Music Therapy before it was known as Music Therapy. Later on he taught in the Pennsbury and Bridgeport School Districts before becoming the first Band Director at the brand new Great Valley High School in 1962. He remained in the Great Valley School District, until his retirement in 1986.
After retiring from public school teaching, he continued teaching at the college level at Penn State University, Delaware County campus and Delaware County Community College, both near Media, PA. Also he was teaching Brass Teaching Methods at Immaculata University, in Malvern, PA. He maintained a private studio in his home for over 50 years, stepping away from that role in his mid 80’s.
He was a Bass Trombonist of the Main Line Symphony for nearly 60 years, as well as playing in the Chester County Concert Band for nearly 30 years. He and my mother, Jean, helped to start the Main Line Ecumenical Choir, an offshoot of the Main Line Symphony.
He was a longtime member of Valley Friends Meeting, having come into the Quaker faith through studies at Pendle Hill in the mid 50s. He served in various capacities in the meeting for many years. Through his faith and love for music, he met my Mother and they were married in Valley Meeting in 1956.
Memorial Service will be at Valley Friends Meeting, in Strafford, PA on Saturday, 12/10 at 11:00am. Interment will be private.
Contributions can be made in Dad’s name to the Reading Musical Foundation either online at this link: https://readingmusicalfoundati... or you can mail a check to Reading Musical Foundation, PO Box 14835, Reading, PA 19612. Please have them indicate the gift is in memory of your Kert.
Kert would like to be remembered for his musical contributions to the ensembles he played in, and in the legacy of his students over the years.