Boris Igor Rybka

Boris Igor Rybka, born July 8, 1926, in Philadelphia, PA, peacefully passed away among family on December 5, 2023, under the care of the Foulkeways community in Gwynedd, PA.

Raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Boris was a renowned classical musician and a veteran of World War II. He attended Jamaica High School and the New York High School of Music and Art (now LaGuardia). At age 17, he volunteer-enlisted in the U.S. Navy, playing in the band on the USS Prairie (AD–15), and serving in the Pacific Theatre near the Caroline Islands. Post-war, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Yale University School of Music. A French horn player, pianist, and conductor, Boris performed nationally and internationally with the New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, Cabrillo Music Festival, and various other ensembles. He also taught at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, St. Olaf College, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and St. Paul Academy.

Boris was handsome with pale-blue eyes and a dapper style. Living in Germany, Amsterdam, and many states across the U.S., he was fluent in English, German, Dutch, and studied French, Italian, Latin, and Czech. Proud of his Czech-Scottish heritage, he enjoyed Bohuslav Martinů, knedlíky a zelí, tartan ties, and a good beer. He was an avid traveler, reader, cook, hiker, and Vermont tree farmer, with an affinity for funny limericks, dogs, and Saturday Times crossword puzzles – in pen. A devout Catholic, he loved God and his family.

Boris was preceded in death by his musician parents, Doris Campbell Summers and Frantisek "Frank" Rybka, sister Shirley Rybka, and brother-in-law Ed Bishop. He is survived by siblings Mary Carolyn Bishop and Jim Rybka (sp. Lucille Rybka). Boris leaves a lasting legacy as father to Katherine Rybka Brennan (sp. Rick Brennan) and Gregory McAfee Rybka (sp. Cat Poon), Opa to Rhea McAfee Rybka Brennan and Sage McAfee Rybka Brennan, and Uncle Boris to Mary Beth Collum (sp. Chris Collum), Jane Bishop (sp. Kirsten Abrams), Ed Bishop (sp. Dee Kineally), Jocelyn Ahlers (sp. Rick Ahlers, ch. Tess and Kivrin Ahlers), and Jonathan Rybka. Boris is lovingly remembered by numerous family and friends, including those at Foulkeways and the Honzik/Rybka and van Woudenberg families. He was previously married to musicians Janis Martin and Priscilla McAfee. He spent his final 19 happy, healthy years with his beautiful and beloved partner, Joke van Woudenberg.

A funeral and burial are scheduled for December 12, 2023, at Washington National Cemetery. A memorial celebration to honor his life will be held at the Foulkeways community on July 6, 2024.