Herbert Nuechterlein, 89, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2008 at his home. He was the son of the Rev. J. George and Agnes (Hubinger) Nuechterlein. Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Edna and brothers Walter, Alvin, Otto and Ralph. He was born in Bay City (Frankenlust), MI on May 26, 1918. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Smallwood) and their children: Andrea Curl of El Paso, Brian of Hawaii, and John (Linda) of Ft. Wayne, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his twin sister, Helen Schmidt of Fraser, MI. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II as band leader in the US and Germany. He received his B. of mus., M. of Mus. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He received a Lutheran Teacher Colloquy from Concordia Teacher''s College, River Forest, IL. Additional studies were at Northwestern University, Army Music School and the Westfoelische Kirchen Musik Schuel in Germany. He taught instrumental music in the Grosse-Pointe, Michigan public schools from 1946-1951. He was a chairman of the music department at Concordia Junior and Senior colleges from 1951-1977. He was part-time associate professor at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne and conductor of the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic Chorus from 1952-1956. His college choirs toured in 42 states and Canada and sang several annual Choral Vespers in Kramer Chapel, featuring Renaissance and Baroque motets and passions as well as 20th- century compositions. Also performed were 32 Bach Cantatas, many of them Ft. Wayne first performances. Dr. Nuechterlein served as music critic for the Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel from 1961-1986, and provided program notes for the Philharmonic''s Freimann concert series, and contributed articles to several national music and church periodicals. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Music Critics Association, American Musicology Society, and Music Educators National Conference. In 1993 Zion Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX, through its "Heritage Series" honored Dr. Nuechterlein as a "vibrant churchman steadfastly supportive of the gospel and for his devoted Christian service and extensive music ministry." He was director of music at Emmanuel Lutheran Church , Ft. Wayne from 1951-1996 and served as organist at Trinity Lutheran Church, Decatur RD, 1988-2007. Funeral services will be 11:00am, Tuesday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson with visitation one hour before the service. Calling also will be on Sunday from 1:00-3:00pm and 5:00-7:00pm at Covington Memorial Funeral Home, 8408 Covington RD. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens. Memorials to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne Philharmonic, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home.