Cincinnati music teacher Richard W. Wesp celebrates 57 years of teaching

 

Friends of ACDA,

 

Richard W. Wesp, former choral music teacher in the Forest Hills School District, retired in June of this year after an astounding 57 years of teaching.  Over 200 friends, family, and former students gathered at the Newport Syndicate on Saturday, September 3, across the river from Cincinnati, OH for an evening of celebration for Dick’s illustrious career.

 

In addition to a cocktail hour and dinner, the evening included a program led by former students Deb Schubert and Jeffrey Pappas, head of the music department of Marshall University.  The Dick Wesp Chorale, consisting of friends and former students, performed several numbers for Dick throughout the evening.  In addition, several speakers offered fond memories of Dick from throughout his career, including a letter from ACDA executive director Tim Sharp and Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) president Jim Dowdy.

 

Dick has made significant contributions to ACDA in years past, and has served as exhibit chair for both regional and national conventions for several years, and recently received the Distinguished Service Award from OMEA, the organization’s highest honor.

 

The video slideshow presented to Dick entitled “Looking Back: The Life and Times of Richard W. Wesp” can be viewed online at this link: http://gallery.me.com/agartner#100104 and photos of the event may be viewed on the event’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/richardwesp.

 

Thank you to those who attended or helped out in any way.  Letters for Dick are still being accepted and can be emailed to .

 

Here’s to the teacher who sacrificed so much to better the lives of his students.  Thank you for the music, Mr. Wesp!

 

Alex Gartner, Chester Imhausen, Michael Spresser, & Sandra Thornton

Event Coordinators, Cincinnati, OH