Van Cliburn
b. July 12, 1934
d. February 27 2013

It is with great sadness that we announce that our dear friend and inspiration Van Cliburn died peacefully in his home in Fort Worth, Texas, surrounded by loved ones, on February 27, 2013.

Van was a treasured member of the Fort Worth community who belonged to the world. His legacy is one of being a great humanitarian, a great musician, a great colleague, and a great friend to all who knew and loved him. Van is iconic, and we at the Van Cliburn Foundation join the world in mourning the loss of a true giant.

The Fourteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition this May will be dedicated to Van's memory. As the organization that bears his heroic name, our mission is to carry forward his spirit of spreading the universality and abounding love of classical music across the world in perpetuity. It is a great task, and one those of us who have been inspired by his life, his work, and the sparkle in his eyes take up with tremendous joy and determination.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.