[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF RICHARD TYLER-TIGERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
achievements of Richard Tyler-Tigerman, who recently passed away at the 
age of 89. Richard was a remarkable man, beloved by all who had the 
great fortune to know him. Our nation is a more cultured place for his 
lifetime of efforts.
  Richard became best known in my hometown of Carmel, California, as 
the Director of the Sunset Cultural Center. In that role he helped 
develop the Sunset Center--at one time the elementary school that I 
attended as a boy--into a world renowned performing arts center. And 
while he was expanding the national and international cultural impact 
of the Sunset Center, he never lost sight of his neighbors and made 
sure that he and the Sunset Center were still a local community 
resource. Richard was a true cultural icon in Carmel, always welcoming, 
convivial, and engaging.
  Richard Tyler-Tigerman was born September 28, 1922, in Chicago, the 
ninth son of Hungarian immigrants. Apart from a two year stay in New 
York, where Richard participated in a WPA-sponsored children's theatre 
project, Richard grew up in Chicago. His mother Minna, a classically 
trained singer herself, encouraged him and he got his break on stage 
playing Robin Hood in a high school production. He later studied 
theater at the University of Chicago until World War II started. He 
enlisted in the United States Army which eventually took him to the 
Philippines where he worked with different entertainment groups that 
came to lift troop morale. After the war, Richard studied theatre in 
Florida and Chicago on the G.I. Bill. Then, at Northwestern University, 
he taught and turned professional. For the rest of his life he remained 
a professional performance man: music, theater, recitals, opera, 
musical comedy, and eventually directing and producing. He directed the 
Chicago premiere of Leonard Bernstein's opera ``Trouble in Tahiti'' to 
wonderful reviews.
  He came to Carmel in 1975 to take on the directorship of the Sunset 
Center, a post he held until his retirement in 1990. He helped revive 
the Center, which had been struggling ever since the city of Carmel had 
converted the old school into a performing arts and cultural center. 
Richard saw his signal accomplishments there as presenting a 
performance pattern of dance companies, stimulating and interesting 
professional theater, opera, and people of note, a film series chosen 
by the audience, and a series of varied and interesting entertainers. 
He continued beyond retirement to advise local officials who sought his 
insights about the unique artistic heritage of that city. He served on 
numerous civic boards and committees, including the Monterey Film 
Commission, Arts Habitat, and the State Theatre Preservation Group.
  His partner of thirty-eight years is Constantine ``Dino'' Cocalis, 
with whom he shared a home and traveled extensively, particularly to 
the Greek isles. Richard had one son, Craig Ellis Tigerman, of Rock 
Island, IL. Grandchildren include Christopher Lee Gibrich of Grand 
Prairie, TX, Bethany Judith Kump of Rock Island, Chelli Marie Esser of 
Apple Valley, MN, Justin Thomas Wilson Tigerman of Chicago and Rock 
Island, and a step-grandchild, Richard Michael Albertson of Carbondale 
and Moline, IL. Great-grandchildren include Andrew James Doyle and Owen 
Benjamin Kump of Rock Island, and Sophia Marylyn Esser of Apple Valley. 
Two more great-grandchildren are on the way later this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in extending our 
condolences to his loved ones and friends for their loss, and in 
honoring Richard's contribution to our lives. The world is a better 
place because of Richard Tyler-Tigerman's presence.

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