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Walter W. Harp

FUNERAL HOME

William T. Hickey & Son Funeral Home - CLOSED

175 Huron Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Walter Harp Obituary

Died peacefully on Tuesday, November 8th, shortly after his 63rd birthday surrounded by family in his Cambridge, MA home. A Professor of Humanities for 29 years at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Walter was known for his dedication for teaching, love of music and literature, and profound loyalty to friends and family. He is survived by Ilse Peter, his wife and companion of 24 yrs, who aided him through a 3 year struggle with cancer. Children, Samuel, Gabriel and Erika, a daughter in law Lina and granddaughter Anya as well as his father Elting, sister Virginia and brother Ned. Always wary of the spotlight, Walter never the less helped to change the lives of many. He leaves a legacy of friends, family and students who flourished under steadfast encourgement and gentle guidance. He will be deeply missed. Arrangements by William T. Hickey & Son, CAMBRIDGE.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Nov. 11, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Harp

28 Entries

Andres Wilson

December 5, 2005

Professor Harp was one of the most inspiring and gifted teachers (if not THE most) I have ever been

lucky enough to have. His vast knowledge inspired me to learn more and imbibed me with an insatiable love of learning. I only wish I had been able to talk with

him one last time and share one of the thought-provoking conversations that we had so often when I was his student. Professor Harp was the kind of teacher that made you smarter just by proximity to

him. He was one of my heroes and he will certainly be missed. May our hearts, love, and support be with the

Harp family.

Kayla Schmah

November 23, 2005

Dear Walter,

Thank you for being such a kind and inspirational teacher and person. The knowledge you have so generously shared with us will always be remembered by your students and friends at Berklee. Thank you for your great contribution to our learning and understanding.

We wish you peace.

Kayla

Claudia Stanger

November 23, 2005

Walter's generous humanity is a state of grace towards which I am always aspiring. That my mourning is shared by so many who loved him so deeply is an aching comfort.

David Cowan

November 22, 2005

I am extremely saddened at the loss of Walter Harp. As my professor, he offered me a view of the world that I had not considered before and a picture of it that included me and others like me. peace

Dorothy Nelson

November 20, 2005

Letter to Walter Harp on November 4, 2005

Dear Walter,

Let me say a few things to you, my first real friend on the Fenway, a true colleague in the best sense of the word. To be a teacher is to be a human being; what better way to spend our lives than to enable the possibilites in others. These qualities, your openness and support, your optimistic spirit, your joy in all things, your insatiable desire for learning, your admiration for the work of your peers, your respect for students, continue to serve as an inspiration to me as a teacher and as a human being. What is the most important thing in life? To be good to others, I think. Although is it's hard to live up to, you exemplify that spirit. What is valued in a friend and colleague? Trustworthiness more than anything. You are a trusted friend and have touched my life indelibly. I can hear your voice and see your smile.

With deepest regard,

Dorothy Nelson

Suzanna Sifter

November 20, 2005

I remember my World History classes with Walter with great respect. He taught me about a greater world out there outside my music. For years after my classes with him we continued to greet eachother on campus fondly over the years. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We at Berklee will miss him a lot.

Sally Blazar

November 19, 2005

Walter was a dear collleague. Unfortunately I didn't know him well. We shared a passion for and exchanged books about teaching. In the times we passed each other in between classes, we would always share a warm, brief conversation, and always there was what seemed to me a glow radiating from him because of his just-finished class.

Paula Cole

November 19, 2005

I indeed loved Walter as a teacher, as a mentor and friend. He inspired me.

Every now and then, I stop to pause over something he said. I wish I could be there to pay my respects at the memorial. He was such a special person who cared to teach the minorities' perspectives in history. I thank Walter for introducing Howard Zinn, openly discussing race and his South African experiences; for cherishing his Berklee students (making us feel very special as he left Harvard for us musicians); for being a little intimidating at first, inspiring me to work hard, but in time revealing a heart of gold; for caring about his community and uniting us in concern for a better microcosm and hopefully, world; for urging us to read a decent newspaper every day, for helping me see the alterior messages in modern advertising, for his kindness, for his toughness, for making anyone paying attention a better person. Thank you Walter!

I feel continuous waves of melancholia over losing our Walter Harp. What a special, special soul.

He is indeed with angels. He was a patriarch for all of us. And a friend. He shaped a part of my life.

I will always hold such love for him in my heart! And he will live on in all of us!

Daniel Indart

November 17, 2005

Dear Walter,

You sparked in me the flame of love for History and Humanity. After you the world around me became a fascinating journey.

I hold you dear in my heart

Fred Bouchard

November 16, 2005

Well, Walter, we never did get to team-teach a Brazilian music class (featuring Luciana Souza), but you have given me fresh insight into appreciating Benjamin Britten. Thanks again,

Michael Heyman

November 16, 2005

Walter and I would sit in the BAC before our 9am classes, I behind a stack of notes, frantically crossing out and scribbling, he with a cup of water (hard won from the BAC--he was sometimes seen pinching cups from behind counters), looking on bemused. We'd grouse and grump and speculate and wonder. He made me feel like a respected colleague, but at the same time I was thankful to be, in countless ways, another one of his students. His voice remains with me.

Pat Pattison

November 16, 2005

My Dear Walter,

It saddens me to see you go, but it inspires me to see how you managed it: by engaging more deeply in your life, maintaining your values and your sense of perspective. But of course it's just what I'd expect from you, after 30 years together. It has been a blessing to know you and share space and time with you--such a thoughtful, curious and wise man. I loved your Bluefish article--a lovely legacy in a life so filled with legacy. And many students will go through their lives asking better questions and seeking harder for answers because of you and your example. You are one they will remember, as Daniel Indart does. You will be carried forward into other times and places through those you have influenced. You have become a part of my fabric -- an accustomed presence, with a silent understand of shared values. I will miss you, my friend. I wish you bon voyage on that road we all must travel. Thank you.

Love,

Pat

Karen Georgi

November 15, 2005

Walter was an inspiration and a role model for me. It was a great privilege to be his colleague, to be able always to count on his advice and opinions, knowing that his answers were unquestionably wise and humane. Walter was also the rare colleqgue who wanted to hash out ideas just for the sake of learning, and to push me to think things through. I know that many situations and circumstances will continue to arise that will leave me wishing for his enlightened, utterly unpretentious words. I will miss him most at those times, but I will still ask myself "what would Walter do?"

John Stein

November 15, 2005

Walter Harp was one of my teachers at Berklee many years ago. He was warm, humorous, sophisticated, and smart. I was obsessed with music, and Walter did much to remind me of the larger world within which my G7 chords reside.

Stefanie S. Sullivan

November 15, 2005

Walter Harp was a man of generous heart and spirit. He was valued by students, faculty, and staff. It was with sadness that I read about his passing. He will be remembered by his friends and colleagues at Berklee!

Don Gorder

November 15, 2005

I didn't know Walter well, but I'll always remember him as a kind, thoughtful, and infinitely decent man. In those occasional times when I would bump into him in the hall or in the elevator, he always had a smile and a quietly upbeat manner that made even the worst days a little better.

Chris Loocke

November 15, 2005

I had the pleasure of taking Walter's Urban Sociology class at Berklee in the spring of 2005. Walter was such a wonderful and warm person. He shared his passion for the subject that he taught, and it rubbed off on all of us! I can think of many occasions that Walter made me laugh and smile. What a great person. My condolence to Walter's family, he spoke very very highly of you.

Lynette Gittens

November 15, 2005

Walter was definitely one of my favorite teachers at Berklee. It's incredible that he taught me and later I was convincing my daughter to take classes with him. I told her she would learn so much. It's a sad day for Walter's family, and for Berklee, but great time of rejoicing in heaven.

Peter Alhadeff

November 15, 2005

I used to talk to Walter a lot when I started teaching at Berklee, for we shared an office and a background in history. I believed we had a common view: That there was good out there, that helping and being of service was more important than holding power, and that a wiser existence was possible for all of us. Like Peter Gardner, I related to Walter as if he were one my “angels” at Berklee. As I migrated to the basement of 22 The Fenway, I saw less of him over the years. Yet it was most important to me to hear Walter express himself on September 11. Besides, I knew he had been involved in the Union’s early history, and his efforts during the strike have continued to help Berklee’s faculty ever since. I am sure Walter’s generosity of spirit towards his fellow men and women will continue to express itself through his wife Ilse, and his children Samuel, Gabriel, and Erica.

Charles Combs

November 15, 2005

When I arrived at Berklee, Walter was my first friend and strongest ally. He remained both friend and counsellor for the past 15 years -- and leaves a personal and professional void that will persist. I will miss his wise advice and shy chuckle.

Elaine Podulka

November 15, 2005

Although I only had a few classes with Walter, they are some of my most fond memories from my time at Berklee. Walter inspired me to do some of my best writing. He had talent for peeling back the layers of each and every piece of writing that passed through his hands. I am going to always remember his excitement and fondness for the written word and how it affected so many of us in such a short period of time. He will be greatly missed.

Ryan Adams

November 15, 2005

Walter was one of my favorite teachers I have ever had. His classes were a complete joy to attend and his gentle and fair mannor will be greatly missed at Berklee. I will miss him very much.

Luciana Souza

November 14, 2005

I was very sad to hear the news of Walter's passing. Although I only took a few classes with him I was very inspired by his teaching. I carry forward Walter's message of commitment and integrity. I am grateful for his presence in my life.

Sheila Katz

November 14, 2005

Walter's death is a loss to us all. When I arrived at Berklee 10 years ago he was the only other full-time history professor. He welcomed me graciously and introduced me to a uniquely supportive academic culture that he helped to shape remarkably free of backbiting and cutthroat competition. He worked with me on creating a new World Civilizations program for Berklee, asked about my work on the Middle East and gender, and shared his on American history and the Cape. He was a mentor and inspiration. His combination of humor, original thinking, and exasperation over injustice was a continual teaching about navigating this jagged world. He will continue to live in me and in his 1000's of students.

Rob Hayes

November 14, 2005

Walter was a colleague of mine at Berklee, and he was also a neighbor for many years on Sacramento Street, in Cambridge. I'd often see him with his daughter coming or going to school, or walking to the store, and we'd talk.

He always struck me as being possessed of great knowledge, but also very humble. We had several good chats about the life of the mind, and the importance of building out this facet of our next generations of musicians.

Our neighborhood became a little poorer when Walter moved away, and now Berklee is a poorer for his passing. I know he has inspired many young women and men to go deeper into themselves, and their art, and our world, is richer for this. God speed, Walter.

Peter Gardner

November 11, 2005

Walter was a person of great integrity, generosity, and love of family, friends, and life. He meant so much to so many of us over the years, befriending, encouraging, inspiring, and leading us in his gentle but firm manner. He touched the lives of so many people in marvelous and unexpected ways. Walter was a straight shooter; one always knew where he stood--no dissembling, no fudging, no beating around the bush. He never played favorites. He kept us honest. Walter had an amazing breadth of knowledge and possessed an inquisitive and probing mind--always wondering, always questioning, never standing still. Yet modesty and humility were his hallmarks. A sage once said that angels can fly because they take themselves so lightly. And, in this sense, Walter must be soaring in the heavens. A wonderful teacher with a wry sense of humor and a guiding hand, Walter challenged his students to look at old things in new ways and encouraged them to take risks, always helping them up if they fell. He taught us all to look life in the face, critically and creatively, and with passion and compassion. A wonderful colleague, mentor, and friend for over 20 years, Walter will live in my heart forever.

Victor Wallis

November 11, 2005

As a colleague of Walter's at Berklee over the last ten years, I am one of those who benefited from his "steadfast encouragement." I owe him a lot for his support of my own efforts to disturb what he calls, in his BERKLEE TODAY article, "the false peace of complacency, of the status quo..." His commitment and his grace in expressing it were an inspiration to me.

Eric Kristensen

November 11, 2005

Walter's warmth and intelligence was a gift that I, as a colleague of his at Berklee for nine years, counted upon numerous times. His quiet and gentle support of the faculty development program, and the deep conversations we shared about work, life, literature and music were at heart of what made Berklee a humane place in those days. He will be sorely missed.

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