The display for Rudy Ackerman at the entrance to the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, said it all: his saxophone, one of his sculptures and his memoir, "Living The Dream."

The words of family and friends, as well as the music during the one-hour May 30 "Witness To The Resurrection: A Service Of Worship In Celebration Of The Life Of Rudy S. Ackerman" said even more.

Dr. Rudy S. Ackerman (March 30, 1933 - May 22, 2015) was a jazz bo, a beatnik, really, a Dr. Sax, and he lived his life in a kind of Zen ecstasy of improv. He was the Johnny Appleseed of art, first in the Southern Lehigh School District, then Moravian College, his beloved Baum School Of Art, as well as the Allentown Arts Commission.

Ever mindful of the role of art in education, he and his wife, Rose, shepherded arts student scholarships at Baum, provided a haven for arts educators and practicing artists at Baum and guided annual Jan term excursions abroad, inspiring his own creativity and that of his students.

Rudy was a dreamer. He dreamed big dreams. Rudy was pragmatic. Rudy was tenacious. He made dreams a reality. He was an artistic-determinist.

Rudy bequeathed a generation of artists, in his family, in his students, in the Lehigh Valley and in the world.

Not a week before he died, at the annual Baum School of Art auction, Rudy was table-hopping, promoting his book. He was busy doing what he loved.

Rudy was foremost an artistic soul with a whimsy in his words and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. When he brought you in close, you knew he had something to say. And you listened.

As his colleague and friend Carol Henn noted at the service, "Let's face it, he was a relentless promoter. With Rudy, everything was fun.

"He was happy and eager to help in any way he could. The college was enriched immeasurably. The Baum School, in some ways, was his third child," said Henn.

And in everything he did, Henn said, "He was energized by love."

Noting his days playing with the William Allen High School Canary Cavaliers, Henn said, "He was the cool guy who wore a zoot suit, tight black cigarette pants and blue suede shoes."

Said his daughter, Sally King, noting the inspired 10:10 Band Of First Presbyterian playing Rudy's favorites, "Your saxophone is out in the lobby. Just in case you want to join in."

Said his daughter, Ann Lalik, "My father had remarkable hands."

Grandchildren Marla King and Nick Lalik read Bible verses.

Hymns included "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art."

Rudy was a believer, a Christian by faith as his memorial service attended by an estimated 400 who filled the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary attested.

"We are gathered here ... to celebrate the light of Rudy Ackerman," said Rev. Mike Drake, Interim Head of Staff, First Presbyterian.

"Rudy was a student of the Bible. He didn't wear his faith on his sleeve," Rev. Drake said. "He wove them into the fabric of his life. Rudy especially liked the words of Paul.

"It's easy to trust God when things are going well ... Rudy had a confident approach to life .. to the future. He kept going.

"Rudy loved to work with the circular form. In a symbolic way, it represented what he believed as his life came full circle," said Rev. Drake.

Indeed, the large wooden cross in the sanctuary includes a circle and seemed to echo those words.

"He lived in the hope that he would somehow be a window through which the love of life would shine," the pastor said.