Alfred L. Reimschissel, 91, from South Whitehall, died Dec. 10, 2017, in the care of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Hospice.

The beloved husband of Evelyn A. Flemish Reimschissel for 63 years of marriage, they shared many interesting activities.

They were parents to Carol E. Reimschissel Mackes and James Frank Reimschissel.

He and his brother Ferdinand (Fred) G. Reimschissel were the sons of Gertrude A. Dreisbach Reimschissel, a nanny and active church member, and Frank Bernard Reimschissel, a steam fitter with the coal industry at the Drifton Shops.

He was greatly enabled growing up by the familial, community, religious, industrial, progressive and social fabric of the flourishing and lively 1920s mountain and coal town of Freeland, where the townspeople were hearty, friendly, proper, dutiful and strong.

Mentored by great adult church instrumentalists of St. Luke’s Church, he was encouraged to excel in clarinet, saxophone and flute in ensembles in nearby Hazelton and the Poconos during the 1940s big band era.

He played in and led the Criterions Jazz Ensemble while a student at West Chester University and went on to attain a Master’s degree in music education from the University of Michigan.

He served in the Army and played in and conducted the Army Service Band at Fort Dix from 1951-53 performing in the New Jersey and New York areas.

He was honored to become a member of the Allentown Band under the direction of Bert Myers.

As a music educator, he was a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association and once served as president of his district.

He also served a year as president of the Woodlawn Community Association.

Best known as “Mr. Reimschissel,” he went on to teach, to enable and to mentor hundreds of great young and lively instrumental musicians in the Parkland High School Band from 1948-85 in the classroom and in memorable concerts, parades and pep bands.

Band members remember their bright red uniforms, white overlays, ostrich plumes, white bucks, and the many good times in the band room.

Along with his very esteemed teaching colleagues and his supportive wife, a former school nurse at Parkland who inspired excellence and enjoyed pageantry, he helped build an instrumental and choral program in the Parkland School District that continues to inspire students, parents, teachers, administrators, alumni and the community.

Equally inspiring was his and his wife’s life journey after his retirement in 1985.

In many ways, they are good role models of aging.

They greatly enjoyed maintaining their home, continuing to work, traveling and guests.

They particularly looked forward to visits from his great and talented private instrumental students and their wonderful families. He continued to teach until 2016.

They also thank relatives, friends, advocates and community people who helped them on a daily basis.

He is kept in prayers and praise by loving caring family, friends and advocates including Carol, Randy, Tanya, Loretta, Elsie, Joe, Carolyn, Ruth, Lenny, Karen, Troy, Gloria, Al, Cheryl, Randy, Claudia, Ed, Jessie, Helen, Christina, Jimmy, Luther and Parkland alumni.

His service will be 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 Highland St., Allentown. Calling will be 10-11 a.m.

Parkland alumni of Mr. Reimschissel’s instrumental programs 1948-85, family, friends, and private students are invited to be in attendance at the annual Parkland High School band concert under the direction of Jason Lerew 7 p.m. Dec. 20, which will be performed in memory of his service to young people, music education, and the community.

Contributions may be made for a tribute in his memory to the Parkland High School Music Department, Attn: Jason Lerew, Parkland High School, 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA 18104 or to the Salvation Army, 144 N. 8th St., Allentown, PA 18102.