Jon Evan Engberg, former Morgantown resident, passed away in hospice in Durham, N.C., on Aug. 13, 2018. He was 85 years old.
The Engberg family lived in Morgantown from 1959-’75, where they helped build a vibrant community of music around the newly established Creative Arts Center at West Virginia University. A distinguished cellist, Jon was a founding member of the American Arts Trio, then in residence at WVU, and also taught cello, music theory and music history, ultimately becoming Chair of WVU’s Music Department.
With three degrees in cello performance from the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, N.Y., Jon invested the latter half of his professional life at his alma mater, as associate director and associate dean of Graduate Studies there. He retired from music administration and education in 1995, and deeply enjoyed a return to playing the cello with friends throughout the last 20 years of his life.
Admired by faculty and students alike, Jon was celebrated throughout his life for his wise judgment, integrity, fair mindedness, generosity with and elevation of others and his deep love of music.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judith Cowin Engberg; his son, Erik Engberg, of Cary, N.C.; his daughter, Kristen Engberg, of Montclair, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Jaryd Engberg, of Bethesda, Md., Larsen Engberg, of Charlotte, N.C., and Finn Jenkins, of Montclair.
