Reynir Gudmundsson

REYNIR: Gudmundsson (July 5, 1942-March 28, 2023) WATCH the Live Streaming of Reynir’s Celebration of Life Service May 13, 2023, starting at 3:00pm (Pacific Time) http://www.campushillchurch.net/ Reynir Guðmundsson was born on the 5th of July, 1942 in Reykjavík, Iceland, the eldest child of Guðmundur Sæmundsson and Guðrún Ásgeirsdóttir. There soon arrived his three siblings, Elisabet or “Elsa” who preceded him in death, Sigriður, his younger sister, and Sæmundur, his brother. Reynir and his sister Elsa were born in the house on Kapparstig Street, downtown Reykjavík. Elsa, the family historian, tells that he was “quite the boy.“ Evidently he would sit outside on the porch to watch the world go by and think, often forgetting that he was supposed to be watching his baby sister! From there the family moved to 58 Skipasund Street where his father had built a new house for the family. Reynir had a small room in the basement where he would practice the accordion and his trumpet. While still very young, he got a job delivering newspapers to all the houses on his street early in the morning before he went to school at Laugarnes Elementary School. In the summers he would be sent to Blönduós in the north of Iceland to his aunt Ingileif‘s farm. He remembers these summers as times of hard work, but pleasant quiet times. His high school studies at the Háskola coincided with the family‘s move to Kopavogi. Around this time (he was now 14 years old), he received a visit from Elder Jón Jónsson, then dean of men at the Adventist academy, inviting him to finish his secondary studies at the academy. It was under the spiritual mentorship of Jón that Reynir was eventually baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church and remained a faithful member all his life. He also made lifelong friends at the academy, including Róbert Brimdal, Reynir Sveinsson, and Garðar Cortes. It was also here that he began to develop as a vocal musician, finding his tenor role models in such operatic greats as Fritz Wunderlich and Jussi Björling. After graduating from the Adventist academy, he spent a summer working at Skodsborg Sanatarium, an Adventist medical institution located in Copenhagen, Denmark. On returning to Iceland, he attended the Teacher Training College in Reyjkavík where he was mentored by famed Icelandic vocal teacher, Guðrún Sveinsdóttir. Wishing to perfect his English, he spent two years studying at Newbold College in Bracknell, England. Returning once again to his homeland, he accepted a teaching position at Hliðardalsskóli, the Adventist academy. Reynir´s life might have taken a very different turn had he not received a visit from Professor Rochelle Kilgore, a retired English teacher who, every summer, recruited students from Germany and Scandinavia for Atlantic Union College. Wanting to continue with his English studies and desiring to adventure in the New World, he accepted her invitation to study in the United States. He came to the U.S. on an American-Scandinavian Society Scholarship to continue his graduate studies at Boston University where he completed his Masters in Music degree. In the meantime, he took some undergraduate music courses at Atlantic Union College where he met his future wife, Lourdes Elena Morales. Reynir always assured everyone that it was love at first sight. Lourdes, on the other hand, simply says it was a case of intense curiosity at meeting a “real live Icelander.“ The last time she had heard the name “Iceland“ had been in her 4th grade geography class!! The relationship developed around Reynir and Lourdes‘ love of music and soon they were performing at local civic groups singing Icelandic and Spanish folksongs as well as taking a Sunday job singing at a local Congregational church. The couple were married on May 16, 1971 in Worcester, MA where their first and only child, Carmen Elena, was born. The Gudmundssons settled in South Lancaster, MA but soon moved to Rhode Island where Reynir took a music teaching position at Barrington College while Lourdes pursued doctoral studies at Brown University. Around this time a call came through for Reynir to conduct the college choir at Antillean College (now Antillean Adventist University) and teach voice lessons. Eventually he took a leave of absence to complete his doctoral studies at Boston University and the couple returned to Connecticut where Reynir had the opportunity to establish what came to be called the Creative Arts Program for the City of Holyoke, MA and direct an inner city boys‘ choir in New Haven, CT. He was performer and executive director of Opera Works, a touring company that brought opera to the schools while serving as Media Librarian for the New Haven Public School System. During this time of intense activity, Reynir was actively building his career as a professional free-lance singer, regularly performing with opera companies in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and his native Iceland. He spent a summer studying operatic repertoire through the AIMS program in Vienna, Austria. At this juncture, Reynir‘s life will take yet another interesting turn as the Gudmundssons moved to California. Once again his passion and energy for music led him to vocal music positions at Moreno Valley High School‘s Art Academy, San Bernardino Valley College, California Baptist University, and Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in addition to his work as Minister of Music and choir director at Campus Hill SDA Church. Ever seeking new ways to bring music to the Riverside/San Bernardino communities, he founded what came to be the Riverside Lyric Opera together with Doris Pérez and Dan Olson, beloved musical friends and supporters. The company continues its music education and entertainment work to this day. Reynir always brought music to the church he loved. While living in New England he served as choir director at the New Haven SDA Church and the Bridgeport SDA Church. In California his service was focused on Campus Hill SDA Church‘s sanctuary choir. He recorded sacred music, sometimes including his wife, Lourdes, and other musical friends. These remain as a testament to his beautiful tenor voice and his love for sacred music. Reynir touched many lives, particularly that of his students. One of his most devoted students, Sue Bruegger, attributed her dream of becoming a singer to Reynir‘s skilled and patient work with her, from a monotone to a credible performer. He will be remembered for his love of music, his love of family, friends, colleagues, and students, his zest for life and his overarching love of God—all these are the rich legacy Reynir leaves all of us. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 13, 2023 at 3:00pm (Pacific) at the Campus Hill SDA Church in Loma Linda, CA. The address is 11057 Hill Drive, Loma Linda CA 92354. The phone number is 909-796-0222. In lieu of flowers, donations can be make to Parks & Street Ministry (a ministry to the unshelterd of the Inland Empire) at the Campus Hill Church website: Donations to the Parks and Streets Ministry in the months of May and June will be in-honor of Reynir Gudmundsson, who was a long time member of Campus Hill Church, The link for information and donations is: https://www.campushillchurch.net/ministries/parksstreets All gifts to Parks and Streets are tax deductable and a receipt is available. A reception will follow. See beflow for driving directions.

Reynir Gudmundsson

July 5, 1942 - March 28, 2023

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Reynir Gudmundsson

July 5, 1942 - March 28, 2023

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

Our Services

About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

Contact Information

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