Dr. Richard "Doc" Worthington, former Director of Bands, passed away on April 3, 2014, at the age of 93. Services celebrating Doc's life were held on Monday, April 7, at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe, Louisiana.
Worthington served as Director of Bands at the University of Arkansas from 1956 to 1970. During his time as director, he led the Marching Razorbacks and the program's concert band. The program nearly doubled in size to more than 150 students under his leadership.
He is remembered fondly as a director with a caring and commanding presence who encouraged strong character and music excellence. In 1964-65, Worthington led the integration of the marching band when Gevena Hill and James Seawood became the first African Americans to join the program. Four years later, he partnered with students on campus to end the school tradition of playing "Dixie."
After leaving the University of Arkansas, he was appointed Director of Bands at Northeastern Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He served as Director of the School of Music for 17 years and was named Director Emeritus in 1989 before retiring in 1995. He is also credited with the founding of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra.
Doc served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and, for many years, he served as the Commercial, Instrument Rating and Chief Flight Instructor for McMahan Aviation in Monroe. He and several other pilots from around Louisiana formed Angel Flight in 1997 and Pilots for Patients in 2007.
Worthington earned a bachelor's and master's degree in music from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate from the University of Illinois.
Worthington is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Cozort Worthington; his three children, Cyndi, David and Bryan; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
