Irving Ilmer, 78, a violinist, violist and teacher who played with many prominent ensembles in North America, died Friday at home in Evanston. Born in Vienna, Mr. Ilmer moved to Chicago’s South Side when he was in his teens. He made an early debut at the Civic Opera House as an assistant artist with the late Metropolitan Opera star, Grace Moore. He was a trombonist in the Army Air Corps band during World War II. Upon returning to Chicago, Mr. Ilmer played violin briefly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He subsequently performed with many ensembles, including the Fine Arts Quartet, the Contemporary Chamber Players at the University of Chicago and the resident quartet of the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. While still living in the Chicago area, he taught at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Northwestern University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Between 1964 and 1976, Mr. Ilmer was a faculty member at Indiana University School of Music and the University of Kentucky. He then spent 11 years as concertmaster of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra in Ontario. Mr. Ilmer moved back to Evanston in 1987 and performed with the Governors State University string quartet and the Chicago String Ensemble. Survivors include his wife, Janet K. Schenk; two sons, Steven and Paul; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Second Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry Ave., Chicago.
