In Memoriam

[Gerald Cousins]

New 
York City Piano Technicians Guild, Chapter 101 suffered a heavy and sad loss 
with the unexpected and sudden passing of long time member Kalman Detrich 
on June 8, 2008.  Kalman was an icon and national 
treasure of the piano business community, not only an important and active 
member of our chapter but a man whom our members and the community admired and 
respected.


Elegant, 
affable, sophisticated and gracious, Kalman was a man of prodigious 
talents.  He loved teaching and bringing knowledge to 
students of piano technology. Dedicated to the preservation and knowledge of 
American piano making history, he founded the Museum of the American Piano. 

Kalman's 
piano store, rebuilding service, and museum was a fixture on piano row for many 
years in the heart of midtown Manhattan.  Known for his 
eclectic collection of rare and unusual pianos, he would go into great detail 
explaining their history and design.  His employees were all 
loyal to him and he acquired staff that had worked for other dealers and 
manufacturers who stayed with him for years until his eventual 
retirement.  These observations demonstrate the kind of man 
Kalman Detrich was.
Kalman 
was a musician, yoga practitioner, educator, art collector, and purveyor for 
antique and early American pianos who dedicated most of his 
 teaching the craft of piano technology and preserving the 
history of pianos with his Museum of the American Piano.  His 
museum would later move to a downtown location, however , after the World Trade 
Center tragedy on 9/11, Kalman was forced to move.  
He closed the museum and continued his school for piano technology, offering 
high level training to technicians and refinishers.  One of my 
assistants I had the privilege of working with and training attended Kalman's 
school and came into the company with a high level of understanding and 
skill.
Kalman 
was my friend and mentor since my arrival to New York City in 1982.  
 I have always admired and respected his philosophy in 
life, business, human relations, work ethic, and pianos.  He 
was an avid pilot and traveled with his wife all over the 
world, constantly deciding what unknown corner of the world he 
would go to next.  You could find him observing a tennis 
match in Forest Hills or a car race at the track in Pennsylvania. Kalman was a 
true Renaissance man. He will be missed, but will be remembered and cherished in 
the memories of all who knew him.  In addition to his wife, Letty, he is 
survived by his children, Dora Detrich, and Tamas Detrich, both of Stuttgart, 
Germany; a brother Ernie Detrich of Budapest, Hungary; a sister, Kaiti Tako of 
Arizona, and two grandchildren Sandor and Roman Detrich.
 
Please 
visit WWW.KalmanDetrich.com for more 
information.
 
Arlan 
Harris, RPT
President-Chapter 
101-NYC
Forwarded by: Gerry Cousins,RPT
cousins_gerry at msn.com

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