San Francisco Classical Voice

Henry Onderdonk, a professor of composition and theory at San Francisco State University for 34 years, died on August 17 while backpacking in the Sierras, in the wilderness that he loved. Colleagues describe him as a quiet, gentle, well-read, and highly sophisticated person who was a mediating presence in the SFSU Music Department.

Mr. Onderdonk received his doctorate in music at the University of Michigan, studying under Ross Lee Finner. He composed so painstakingly, mostly chamber music, that the body of work he produced was not large. He is remembered professionally for his distinguished teaching.

Mr. Onderdonk is survived by his wife, Jeanette Eisen, their son, Gabriel, of San Francisco, and their daughter, Emily, of Richmond. A memorial will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 23, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin St., San Francisco.