Last Saturday, Penn mourned the death of Bruce Montgomery, 44-year Penn Glee Club director and long-time member of the Penn community.
Montgomery - or "Monty", as many called him - retired in 2000 after 50 years of service to the University.
He was an active participant in the Glee Club, Penn Singers, Mask and Wig, Penn Band and other Penn performing arts groups, even after his retirement, right up until his death at the age of 81.
"He was a mentor and a teacher and a friend," said Glee Club Alumni Association President Rob Biron. "What is remarkable is that though Monty was a full 81 years old, people are still stunned by his passing because he was so full of life and vigor."
Montgomery will be cremated in a private family ceremony. Some of his ashes will be spread at his house in Maine, and the rest will be brought back to the family house in Philadelphia.
"A world without him is one that the people who knew him almost can't imagine," said Montgomery's former student and '87 College alumnus Brendan O'Brian. "He was incredibly spry and vibrant right up until the end."
The University recently made the decision to rename the Annenberg studio theater in his honor.
The unveiling of the Bruce Montgomery Theater occurred on May 10. The event was a tribute to Montgomery, featuring his own original compositions performed by many of his previous students.
According to current Glee Club Director Erik Nordgren, Penn has made plans for an impressive memorial celebration to honor Montgomery sometime in the fall.
"He really has had a tremendous impact on so many people who've come through Penn," said Nordgren. "People were inspired by his energy and enthusiasm for life."
According to Biron, Montgomery's death provoked an outburst of responses from Penn alumni recounting their time with him.
"I'm getting back such wonderful responses of Penn alumni recounting their time with Monty," said Biron. "As I'm reading these stories, though many of them occurred before I was born . I can tell the same stories."
