Memorial for Richard Adler Set for June 27

A memorial to honor the life and career of Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Richard Adler will be held on Wednesday, June 27th.

The 4 pm memorial will take place at St. Bartholomew’s Church, located at 325 Park Avenue in New York City. The service will be an ecumenical service led by Rabbi Robert Summers; Rev. Lynn Sanders, Associate Rector at St. Bart’s; and Rev. F.M “Buddy” Stallings, Priest in Charge at St. Bart’s. Mr. Adler’s children will be speaking and Paul Katz and Colleen Fitzpatrick will be performing a musical tribute. All are welcome.

Richard Adler died June 21, 2012, at age 90, at his home in Southampton, New York. With writing partner Jerry Ross, he wrote the music and lyrics to back-to-back Best Musical Tony winners The Pajama Game (in 1955) and Damn Yankees (in 1956). Many songs from the shows became cross-over pop hits: “Steam Heat,” “Hernando’s Hideaway,” “Hey There,” “Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants.” Adler is also known for having produced the 1962 birthday celebration for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, where Marilyn Monroe memorably sang “Happy Birthday.”

He is survived by his wife; his children, Andrew Adler, Katherine Adler and Charles Shipman; and three grandchildren, Damien and Scarlett Adler and Lola Jane Shipman.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Park Trust, 401 East Jefferson Street, Suite 109, Rockville, MD, 20850 (https://donate.parktrust.org/).

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.