PA Choral Director Leaves Great Legacy

Mr. B’ impacted the lives of many in music and more

By PAT FRIDGEN, Echo Pilot

GREENCASTLE, PA — Richard Besecker, long time vocal instructor
in the Greencastle-Antrim School District, died Tuesday, Nov. 17 at
the age of 77. Beloved by students who passed his way during a
34-year career, “Mr. B” is being mourned by those who today credit
their passion for music and succeeding accomplishments to their
former teacher. Members of the community who worked beside him also
feel the loss. His music impacted them as much as his faith.

Mandy Stottlemyer took private voice and piano lessons, sang for
Besecker in the high school choir and Choralaires, and participated
in district and regional chorus.

“He helped me through all that,” she said. “Anything I know
about piano and singing, it’s all because of him.”

As an adult, she kept in touch. Besecker directed the Old
Home Week Cantata and music for the pageant every three years, and
was a life vice president of the OHW Association.

Eventually Stottlemyer worked along side him as she led the
children’s choir. Her own daughter Diana, now a college junior, was
his student, and made it to state chorus as an accompanist her
senior year.

“He brought her to new heights,” said Stottlemyer. “His death is
bittersweet. I have no doubt he’s with the Lord, but we’ll miss him
very much.”

Phil Risser and Saundra Wingert sang for Besecker as teenagers.
“He pushed us to be the best we could,” said Risser. “He raised the
bar high for chorus. And he was always involved in community events
and church choir.”

Wingert also took private lessons. “He was both a spiritual
mentor and musical inspiration,” she said.

Richard Overcash was a student and at one point a co-worker.

“People know “Mr. B” as a vocal instructor, but he was the whole
music department for a while. I remember him in his band uniform my
freshman year. It was white and he was very impressive,” he
said.

That impressive carriage was part of Besecker’s whole being, he
continued. The man who made it OK for a “jock” to like music, who
always tried to do the right thing, who controlled students by his
very presence, who had a contagious laugh, was someone people
wanted to be around.