Wallace J. Goleeke

Mr. Goleeke was my concert choir director 1961 through 1963 at Ingraham High School...he was a wonderful person!!

If it hadn't been for Mr. Goleeke, as he was in the early 60's my high school experience would be sorely lacking in soul. We had such a good time in choir. I'll never forget and always be grateful

Something was deleted in sending my earlier message "I owe a great deal to not only what I learned..." Missing was the"how" of Wally as a teacher. Choral methods, vocal technique, shortcuts that made sense of music theory... the love of music ...shared from the heart. His kindness and patience (considering his incredibly fussy ear) with less than stellar singing talent in some choirs prevailed, and managed stunning performances that showed us at our best. His mentoring led me to a...

you will be missed.

I owe a great deal to not only what I learned

I'm another who met Wally through antique boating. I enjoyed his gentle, modest humor and quiet enthusiasm for his family and life. We quickly discovered another common thread though, choral music; - I was a singer and had worked with several people he knew when I was a student. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing, and our prayers go out to his family. We are sad that he has passed, but celebrate a life well-lived!

Dr. Goleeke encouraged me to become a voice major at North Seattle Community College back in 1971 and I went on to the University of Washington to major in voice because of him. One of my fondest memories of Dr. Goleeke, was the time he broke into a ragtime ditty during our choir rehearsal - and here we thought he was so serious! He was great. I also enjoyed visiting him in his office, where he would smoke his beloved pipe in his cardigan sweater - that was when smoking everywhere was OK. ...

Dr. Goleeke was my first voice teacher, taking me on as a junior at Ingraham High School in 1969. I continued studying with him as a voice major at No.
Seattle C.C. He was a fine coach and
an inspiration as he helped develop my
vocal skills during this time. With his guidance I went on to study at the UW and
continued with a semi professional career
for many years. I remember fondly his
great work ethic, along with his wry sense of humor. Thanks to Dr....