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Dr. Harald Wiesner, age 84, of Wheeling, WV passed away on March 17, 2023, with his beloved family at his side.
Harald was born April 4th, 1938, in Berlin, Germany, the son of the late Albert and Cacilie Wiesner, both of whom died during Harald's childhood. After growing up in foster homes, orphanages, and a state boarding school, Harald emigrated to the U.S. in 1957, where he lived for a short while with an aunt in Richmond, Virginia.
Harald graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, from Texas Christian Uni- versity in 1965 with a Master of Music degree, and from North- western University in 1968 with a Doctor of Music degree.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1964, first as violinist with the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra, then in various capacities with the USAREUR Band in Heidelberg, Germany and as Director of the U.S. Army Chorus in Europe. As choir director, Harald served numerous churches in Virginia, Germany, Texas, and the Chicago area before settling in the Wheeling area in 1968 with an appointment to the music faculty at West Liberty State College. He enjoyed success as a beloved professor, teaching on the faculty of the renamed West Liberty University for 43 years. He retired in 2011. Harald directed the Chancel Choir at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wheeling from 1968 until 2005. In 1970, Harald became the first director of The Ohio Valley Chorale, a large group of singers from many communities in the tri-state area. In the years until his retirement from the chorale in 1991, he directed the group in many local concerts as well as televised programs and collaborated in performances with the Wheeling Symphony and the WVU symphony and sinfonietta. Harald took the chorale on numerous domestic and overseas tours, often performing in such places as Romania, Spain, Hawaii, and the World Exposition in New Orleans. In 2010, he became the Music Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Wheeling, where he faithfully served for the remainder of his life.
Harald is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Wiesner, his step-children, Philip and Caroline Spencer, and his cousin Charles Phelps.
The family would like to thank Liza's Place at Valley Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during his final days.
The family asks in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation in Harald's memory to the Dr. Harald Wiesner Mem- orial Scholarship, West Liberty University Foundation, 208 University Dr., CUB 126, West Liberty, WV 26074, or to a local choral group of your choice. Donations to the memorial scholarship may also be made online at wlufoundation.org. Please note "Dr. Harald Wiesner Memorial Scholar- ship" as the special request. See memorial contribution link below.
Friends will be received for memorial visitation on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 12 until time of memorial service at 2 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Road, Wheeling , WV 26003.
Arrangements by Kepner Funeral Home, 900 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003 (304-232-2732).