IAN CAPPS Obituary

IAN MAGNUS CAPPS Born in Tyngewick England to ENT Surgeon father, Cecil Wray Capps and mother, Margareta Torell. Ian grew up in London, and educated at Sherbourne Prep School and Exeter College at Oxford University where he majored in The Classics. During Ian's Oxford summers, he worked as a tour guide in Greece. His major being Classics, it was easy for him to learn and speak Greek fluently. Having bilingual parents, he developed very early his ear for languages as well as a love for Early Music. After graduation, he was recruited by Reuters News Agency which was in most ways a perfect fit for Ian, as his work took him to many different countries, the last being the USA. This is where he met his wife Jeannette in an Early Music Chorus. We are sad to announce the death of Ian Capps, former president of Early Music Hawaii, on September 21, 2025. As president, Ian spearheaded the development and growth of EMH into the premier organization for the presentation of Renaissance and Baroque music on Oahu and Hawaii Island. Ian was also the creator and host of The Early Muse, a weekly program of Hawai'i Public Radio which has been on air continuously since December 2004. The program explores the development of Western Music over the 500 years from the 12th through the 17th centuries. A native Londoner, Ian graduated from Oxford University and worked as an editor and executive for Reuters and other global news organizations, living and working in many different countries over nearly 40 years. He retired in 2001 after 9 years as President and CEO of the New York-based global news distributor PR Newswire. He and his wife Jeannette Goya, a native of Hawai'i and UH graduate, met while singing Renaissance music in New York City. They relocated to Hawai'i upon retirement. Ian said in his HPR profile, "As an amateur singer, I have been lucky enough to work with outstanding groups in major cities around the world and with many individuals who have moved on to successful musical careers. Early on in my travels, I discovered that music, as a universal language, is a great introduction to a new society. And that the voice is the easiest instrument to take with you wherever you go." We invite family and friends to Ian's Memorial on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at The Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou Street. Visitation period at 5 pm, service at 5:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Ian's memory to Early Music Hawaii or Hawaii Public Radio would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC