Richard Kent Papers 

Number of boxes: 22

Number of linear feet: 8

Processed by: Dr. Pasquale Micciche, Professor,

Social Sciences Department, Spring 2001

Updated 1-15-2010

Professor Richard L. Kent died March 29, 1999 in Worcester, Massachusetts at age 83. Kent for whom the Kent Recital Hall in Conlon Building was named taught at Fitchburg State College for 35 years retiring in 1982. His widow, Lillian L. (Wallace) Kent donated his Papers to the Library in 2000.  There are no restrictions on the Collection.

The following obituary was printed in the SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE, April 2, 1999:

"Richard L. Kent, 83 Retired Fitchburg State College music professor.

Richard L. Kent, 83, died Monday, March 29, in Memorial Hospital, Worcester.

He was born Jan. 23, 1916, in Harris, Mo., the son of Oza and Goldie (Spickard) Kent, and had later lived in Des Moines, Iowa before moving to Leominster in 1947. He graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, and earned a master's degree in music from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, and a doctorate in music arts from Boston University. He did postgraduate studies at Harvard University.

Mr. Kent worked for 35 years in the Fine Arts and Music Department at Fitchburg State College, retiring in 1982.

He was a veteran of World War II serving as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was a pilot instructor at various military bases.

Mr. Kent was a member of Chapel of All Saints. A member of the American Choral Directors Association, he had many choral compositions published. For many years, he worked on the committee that organized the Sunday afternoon concerts at the Fitchburg Public Library. He was a member of the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library and the Fitchburg Art Museum.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Lillian L. (Wallace) Kent; and a son, Michael K. Kent of Des Moines."