Lawrence Leighton Smith, 75, had been set to retire after the Sunriver Music Festival’s recently concluded 34th season, but illness prevented his traveling from Colorado to Central Oregon for his farewell performances.

Smith earned many fans during his two terms with the festival, the first from 1978 to 1983, the second from 1994 until 2010, according to Pam Beezley, executive director of the festival.

Because Smith’s fans could not thank him or say goodbye in person, festival staff are conducting a letter-writing campaign. From an e-mail sent to patrons earlier this week: “For anyone who would like to send a personal note to Larry Smith, we will physically mail these to him in Colorado Springs. We will compile your note, place it in a plastic protector and bind them all together. Please feel free to stop in the SRMF office for some of our letterhead stationery.”

Notes for Smith can also be sent by e-mail. The deadline is Wednesday.

Contact: tickets@sunriver music.org or 541-593-1084.