Anyone involved in the music program @ North for the past 30 years knows my Uncle Geoff Richter as the music director there. Many on here who drink beer (just a select few i gather…) who have been to the erie county fair and frequented any local beer tent with a band may have seen him in his element with the german band The Frankfurters as well as Wald Fest in Elma on 2rod road and many others. He retired from teaching a few years ago and just celebrated his 60th birthday last fall.
This past sunday around 7pm he was on a bike ride and upon his return to his driveway he fell, and had a brain aneurysm. He was rushed to ECMC via ambulance and after surgery brain activity ceased. I drove to NYC monday afternoon and came back this morning with his daughter and he was removed from life support this afternoon. Surgery followed to donate organs to those who needed them.
Wake details TBA this friday, Irish style. Many fellow accomplished musicians will be playing, beer to be served and a good time is to be had by all who come to pay their respects and celebrate.
Saturday the funeral will be in Getzville (the church name escapes me @ the moment) I haven’t slept since a hot restless night sunday night and the 13 hour round trip to the lower east side and back is taking it’s toll pretty hard right now.
here’s a quick couple links to his main projects, he’s played with more groups than i can recall. Buffalo Philharmonic, Mannheim Steamroller, local orchestras & bands. He will be missed.
http://thefrankfurters.com/
http://bbq72.com/
I’m sorry for your family’s loss Zac. He sounded like an awesome and talented guy. I’ll keep him in my thoughts.
I can’t believe this… he retired when I was a Junior in High School, but I have seen him at many summer events since then. I am very sorry for your loss, and this comes as a major shock. I will be in attendance.
Damn that’s terrible. I knew him back in High School because I was in the music program at South under Mr. Cool. Sorry for your loss 
Aw man! I remember him from when I went to North R.I.P.
I just saw him a few months ago. I graduated in 2004 and did sound for stage crew for 3 years, so i worked close with him. The school hired me back in 2007 as the sound engineer for there musicals, which he has been to every single one. R.I.P.
it was terrible how it went down, absolutely blindsided everyone.
(note: cannot edit first post due to database errors… no clue why)
Age 61 years, May 25, 2010, beloved husband of Janet A. (nee Buchholz); dear father of Julia R. Richter; son of Richard and Delores (nee Darbee); brother of Allison (John) Cardarelli, Debora (David Sears) Richter and Steven Richter; uncle of Zachary (Amanda) Amigone. Friends may call Friday from 2-4 and 6-9 PM at the DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd. (1 mi. north of Maple Rd. just past Klein). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday from St. Pius X Church 1700 North French Road, Getzville, NY at 10 AM. Mr. Richter was a retired music teacher at Williamsville North High School. Flowers gratefully declined. Condolences may be offered at www. denglerrobertspernaeastamherst.com
Very sad. I played in a few concerts under him, always loved his energy and how he could easily be your friend despite having never met you before. One of the few adults I knew in high school that treated you like a normal person, regardless of age. A great loss
I’m sorry to hear that Zac. I am sure I have enjoyed his music at WaldFest etc.
