Thomas E. Mercer ’65

Tom died April 29, 2017, at Lancaster General Hospital near his home in Willow Street, Pa.

He came to us from the Peddie School, where he was valedictorian, and then studied mathematics at Princeton. Already an accomplished pianist, he was introduced to the pipe organ at the University Chapel and later became a lifelong member of the Lancaster chapter of the American Guild of Organists and served as its dean. He also served as organist/choir director at First English Lutheran Church, in Columbia, Pa., and Ascension Lutheran Church in Willow Street.

After his retirement in 2012, he continued to play as a substitute organist and played the recorder and other medieval instruments with Oriana, an early-music group he co-founded. An early-music scholar, Tom constructed his own instruments, including a harpsichord he played for various churches and other organizations, especially at Christmas time. He was an ardent birder and regularly traveled to the Cape May bird observatory, organizing and guiding Saturday morning trips with Ascension Lutheran members to top birding spots around the county.

Tom is survived by his brother, Richard Mercer. To him and all of Tom’s friends we send our condolences and best wishes in memory of this gentle soul.