Please keep the family and friends of Ric Jaeggi in your prayers as they mourn his death. Here is the posted obituary:
Richard D. Jaeggi, 68, of Fort Myers, Fl., died Nov. 8, 2024 after a lengthy encounter with oral cancer. Ric was the Director of Music at Peace Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, FL.
The late Paul and MaryJane Jaeggi of St. Louis. Mo., provided their three children with a solid church upbringing at Memorial Presbyterian, St. Louis, Mo. Ric was born April 30, 1956, their third child. As a preschooler, he expressed a desire to play their church’s organ, which led the family to eventually make many sacrifices to bring his dream to reality. Ric started with piano lessons, taking his first organ lesson on Feb. 1, 1968. A few days later, he filled in for the ill organist and commenced his musical service to God.
In 1980, he won the Strader Organ Competition providing a full scholarship to study organ performance at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated in 1983. While in Cincinnati, the talented organist served at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, Temple Beth Shalom and St. Paul United Methodist Church and performed at other congregations. Many organists dream of designing their own instrument. Ric had that opportunity to plan, supervise the installation of and play a 2,137-pipe Rogers organ at St. Paul.
In 1988, he started work toward a Master’s degree in Divinity at the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Those studies ended without completion in 1990 when Ric and then-wife Shelly moved to Englewood, Fl. There he served as Director of Music twice at Englewood United Methodist Church, also playing at Hope Lutheran Church, Port Charlotte, Fl.
In addition to his church work, Ric was an accomplished organ salesman working for firms including Church Organ Systems, Ahlborn-Galanti Organs, and the Wicks Organ Company. Those jobs allowed him to visit or perform at venues around the nation, and in the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Italy and Australia.
Peace Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, Fl., was Ric’s last congregation. For 16 years, the Director of Music played and accompanied the choir. His ministry included conducting the handbell choir and several other worship-related groups. He supervised the maintenance of the sanctuary’s video and audio equipment which allowed for the livestreaming of worship services and other events. In 2011, Ric directed the installation of a Royal Classic III custom-built electronic organ.
Ric joined the American Guild of Organists in 1970, and held continuous membership until his death. He was dean of both the Cincinnati and Southwest Florida-area chapters. He also belonged to the American Theatre Organ Society. In his younger years, Ric performed that musical art regularly at Emery Theatre in Cincinnati.
Known for his infectious smile and quick wit, Ric frequently peppered conversation with puns or words of encouragement for all he met. An apostle of Jesus Christ to the end, he readily shared his faith, invitations to worship or gentle nudges for those who didn’t worship regularly somewhere.
Ric is survived by daughter Rachel Jaeggi and her mother Shelly Lemmons, both of Port Charlotte, Fl.; siblings Paul “Skip” Jaeggi and Sue (Al) Graham of St. Louis, Mo.; nephew Paul (Sarah) Graham and great-nieces Eliana and Evelyn, of Shippensburg, Pa., best friend and caregiver David Hamblin of Englewood, Fl., and dear friends and caregivers Lizz and Craig King of Fort Myers, Fl., as well as countless friends and acquaintances scattered across the United States.
Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church, 15840 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL., 33908. Visitation starts at 9:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., long-time friend and co-performer Rodney Barbour will offer a half-hour organ concert featuring “Ric and Rodney favorites.” The worship service starts at 11 a.m., with a light luncheon afterward. The service will be livestreamed on the Peace Lutheran YouTube channel.
Ric’s remains will later be interred at Sunset Memorial Park, St. Louis, Mo. In lieu of flowers, Ric asked that contributions be made to Shelly Lemmons for the care of Rachel and mailed to Peace Lutheran Church; or to benefit the organ fund at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 201 S. Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63105. Condolences may be sent to the family c/o Peace Lutheran Church.
