Richard Sterban, the bass vocalist of the Oak Ridge Boys, died Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee, following complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after a battle with cancer. He was 83. His family and the band announced his death, with the family writing that they found comfort in knowing he was now face to face with Jesus.

Sterban joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1972 as the group's bass singer after previous member Noel Fox left the band. Alongside lead singer Duane Allen, baritone William Lee Golden and tenor Joe Bonsall, he completed the gospel quartet whose four-part harmonies became the group's signature. His voice was the foundation of that sound, particularly apparent on the famous song "Elvira."S1

The group placed 34 singles in the country Top 10, 17 of them at No. 1, earned Grammy, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards, and became members of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Before joining the Oak Ridge Boys, Sterban helped found the Keystones, then joined J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, which Elvis Presley hired to sing behind him for about a year and a half.S1

Sterban was born April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey. He began singing at age six in Sunday school, sang tenor in his seventh-grade glee club, graduated from Collingswood High School and studied music at Trenton State College. He is survived by his wife, Donna, several children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.S1