Harold Hans Wippler

Harold Hans Wippler was born in Los Angeles, CA on September 19, 1928. Following a very short and unexpected illness, he died peacefully on October 8, 2022 in Denver, CO at the age of 94, surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was born to German immigrants, Hans Walter Wippler and Bertha Amy Shearer, who met while their families were living in Australia during WWI. In 1923, Bertha and her family came to the United States by way of San Francisco, while Hans (by then a professional violinist) arrived later, entering via Ellis Island. They wed in 1924 and settled down in Los Angeles. Their daughter, Joyce, was born two years later, and Harold arrived in 1928. Although he was the younger of the two siblings, Harold always referred to himself as Joyce's "big brudda", and they enjoyed an extremely supportive and close relationship throughout their entire lives. Harold was likewise a truly loving and devoted son.

Born into a very musical family, Harold began taking violin lessons with his father at the age of 2, and his talent for the violin was soon recognized. Joyce was studying piano at the time, so they often enjoyed performing duets together as young children.

Bronislav Gimpel, a former concertmaster of the LA Philharmonic, was Harold's next teacher, helping him to make his first solo appearance at the age of 5. During these very early years, Harold was also a member of the Hollywood Children's Orchestra, which he remembered being filmed for a scene in a motion picture with Deanna Durbin.

Harold attended Carthay Circle Elementary school, followed by a year at military boarding school at the age of 12 (an experience that he always recounted with much humor). Although practicing the violin was a high priority, his parents also ensured a healthy balance by involving him in wonderful activities. Among the fondest of his childhood memories were the delicious German dishes that his very devoted mother frequently made for family and friends, and times spent with his father, either sailing or swimming in the bay at Newport Beach, playing tennis, or riding bikes around the La Brea tar pits, which were just down the street from his home in Los Angeles.

As an adolescent, Harold won many trophies while sailing competitively in summer races organized by the Balboa Yacht Club. He even had an opportunity to sail with Humphrey Bogart and visit with Clark Gable, since his father was then playing in the Warner Brothers Studio Orchestra. The Wippler's Newport Beach home, coupled with their delightful German hospitality, was a very inviting refuge for many, and it certainly afforded Harold some very unique and remarkable experiences as a teenager.

At the age of 14, Harold performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, playing Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole". That same year, he was awarded a full scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with Efrem Zimbalist, Sr. After graduating from the conservatory in 1947, he returned to Los Angeles to become concertmaster of the Hollywood String Ensemble.

In 1948, Harold joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra as assistant concertmaster, at which time he met the love of his life and future wife, Charleen Elaine Zimmerman, herself an accomplished violinist and member of the DSO. The family always loved to hear of their romantic first meeting at Elitch Gardens, where the orchestra was performing that particular summer evening. They wed in 1951, and in 1952 they moved to Kansas City, where Harold was concertmaster of the Kansas City Philharmonic for three years. In 1955, they returned to Denver, both rejoining the DSO - he as concertmaster, and she as a member of the first violin section.

Harold was concertmaster of the Denver Symphony Orchestra for 17 years. His virtuosity as a violinist and his gracious, wise leadership, coupled with kindness and humor, proved to be a great blessing to the orchestra. He eventually retired in 1987, due to a lengthy battle with dystonia. However, it was his extraordinary ability and passion for teaching (both as a faculty member at several universities, and as a private teacher) that has had the most lasting impact on musicians' lives. As a renowned pedagogue, his 65+ years of teaching violin is undoubtedly his greatest musical legacy, and the family is greatly comforted in knowing that his influence lives on through the innumerable violin students that he taught, not only in Colorado, but throughout the United States and abroad. Additionally, in 1977, Harold helped establish the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, an organization which continues to greatly benefit many young musicians today, and where many of Harold's students participated and enhanced their musical journey.

Harold was so very proud of his students, and it was evident that he loved to nurture the talent and gifting that each individual possessed. It is no wonder that so many of his students, both young and old, remember how much they learned from him regarding violin technique, musicality and insights. His encouragement, wisdom and listening ear likewise earned him their tremendous love and respect as a remarkable mentor and friend. Harold retired from teaching at the age of 85, but he was still occasionally coaching professional violinists into his 90's. Even today, some of his former students still count him as one of their best friends.

Certainly Harold's best friend was his wife, Charleen. Their 59 years of marriage demonstrated a love and romance that was not only full of exciting adventures, but was likewise steadfast and sacrificial; their relationship served as a wonderful example to the entire family. They were an amazing team, rejoicing together in the good times and supporting one another in the seasons of challenge. One was rarely seen without the other.

For the last decade of Charleen's life, she fought a brave battle against Alzheimers. With equal courage and perseverance, Harold stood resolutely by her side and cared for her with tremendous love, tenderness, and commitment. Their beautiful marriage is one of the sweetest legacies that they have passed on to their children and grandchildren.

Harold and Charleen became parents in 1958, when their first daughter, Linda Kay, was born, followed by the birth of Heidi Ann in 1959. Harold and Charleen were extremely loving and devoted parents, and to their daughters, they were, and will always be, Daddy and Mums.

In spite of Harold's extremely busy schedule, he always managed to carve out time for his young girls in myriads of ways and raised them with the knowledge that they were unconditionally loved. Harold enjoyed engaging Linda and Heidi in lively educational conversations at the dinner table (assisted by the Encyclopedia Britannica), challenging critical thinking, encouraging self discipline, and teaching life lessons.

The playful side of Harold shone through while often playing softball or croquet with his daughters in the backyard, taking them to play tennis with him at the nearby courts, teaching them to ski and to shoot hoops in the driveway, and accompanying them on bike rides to the local ice cream parlor. Every summer when the family visited Harold's parents in Newport Beach or Laguna Beach, he and his father loved helping the girls to improve their swimming and body surfing skills, and he was always there to rescue the girls when the waves turned treacherous. Similarly, as childhood gave way to adulthood, Harold's daughters always knew that he was still there for them, no matter how the waves of life around them surged.

Harold and Charleen created a family environment in which both education and classical music were highly valued. It was always such a treat for their daughters to accompany them to rehearsals and concerts of both the Denver Symphony and the Colorado Symphony orchestras. They would watch with great pride and awe as their parents performed onstage, both at the Denver City Auditorium in the early years, and then at Boettcher Concert Hall in the later years. Harold and Charleen were also part of the orchestras that accompanied the Colorado Ballet, Ice Capades, and Central City Opera. When opportunities arose, their daughters loved attending these events, as well - such a magical world that they were able to provide as parents!

Harold and Charleen also had a great interest in travel and a deep respect for different cultures. As parents, they cultivated that interest in their daughters by taking them as teenage girls to Europe several times...a daunting undertaking to say the least, but the time spent together on these amazing adventures created treasured memories that would last a lifetime.

Over the years, Harold continued to travel abroad, often spending time in his beloved Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where he felt thoroughly at home and definitely thrived. A few times he traveled with dear friends, and on several occasions Harold was also accompanied by his adult daughters and their husbands. What a blessing it was, as they would reminisce over memories from years gone by while creating new priceless memories together. Harold's daughters and sons-in-law are so grateful for those extra special times spent with him.

Harold also adored his four grandchildren. They write: "Grandpapa left a phenomenal legacy. He instilled a lifelong appreciation and love of classical music, the fine arts, outdoor activities, good food, and travel. He was likewise always ready to lovingly share advice and words of wisdom that still resonate today. He eagerly celebrated any and all accomplishments, very intentionally making sure that each grandchild knew how proud he was of them. Grandpapa and Nana Char never missed a choir or band concert, drama performance, or sporting event. "

"Adventures with Grandpapa ranged from performances at Boettcher Concert Hall and the Buell Theatre, to unforgettable road trips in the states, and amazing travels abroad upon our high school graduations. In later years, he welcomed our spouses with open arms. He also could not have been more thrilled to take on the role of great grandfather; 'GGPa' spent time reading and playing with his great grandchildren whenever the opportunity arose. When Covid prevented in-home visits, he loved watching the little ones explore his backyard from the back stoop, FaceTimed with them on different occasions, and poured over each new photo and video of their latest developments. Harold's grandchildren and their spouses will forever lovingly cherish their countless memories with Grandpapa."

A true life-long learner, Harold challenged himself to master much of the present day technology that was available to him, and he likewise continued to closely follow current events, keeping the rest of the family up to speed! Additionally, he even took flying lessons at the age of 85, delighting in those opportunities to pilot a little Cessna aircraft from the Jefferson County airport. Of note, his daughters were always quite relieved each time he successfully landed the plane!

Throughout their lives, Harold and Charleen were also blessed with many wonderful friendships that they so very much appreciated and cherished. Even in the last few years, Harold was very intentional about keeping in touch with his friends by way of visits, phone calls, texts and emails, although it became more difficult with increasing age and failing eyesight. The family is so very grateful for the love and encouragement that these dear friends and neighbors poured out upon him.

As Harold's health declined, he handled the aging process with much dignity, grace and humor, qualities everyone greatly admired. Additionally, his family is very grateful for the wonderful team of caregivers that supported and loved him so well over these last couple of challenging years.

Finally, Harold had always been very private about his faith, but from time to time he would state that he felt closest to God when listening to beautiful pieces of classical music. Nevertheless, there came a point in time, just one month before his passing, when he acknowledged his deep need for a Savior and a desire for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. After praying to receive the forgiveness of his sins and the free gift of eternal life that is found in Christ alone, he asked that his family share his decision with those who had been praying for him, many having done so for decades. How thankful we are for those faithful prayers!!

Harold was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Charleen Elaine Wippler, who passed away in 2011. His dear sister, Joyce Wippler, predeceased Harold in July, 2022 at the age of 96.

Harold is survived by his two loving daughters and their husbands, Linda ( Bruce) Will and Heidi (Hayden) Truscott.

Other family members include Harold's four wonderful grandchildren. They are Aaron Hans (Katie) Will, Jonathan Sutton (Diane) Will, Christine Elizabeth (Prince) Dukuze, and Anna Elaine (Zach) Owens, who all lovingly knew him as Grandpapa. Harold's six beautiful great grandchildren, whom he also adored, will always know him as GGPa. They are Riley (5) and Kieran (4), Nova (2) and Quinn (1 month), Owen (1), and baby girl Will, due in February 2023. He is also survived by dear cousins, including Peter and Alex Gaulke in Germany, and Janette Bliss in Australia.

Harold's family has celebrated his life with a private memorial, which was his personal request. The family deeply appreciates all of the loving support and prayers that they have received during this time of deep sorrow.

To celebrate and continue the Wippler blessing and legacy, the family welcomes donations to the Harold and Charleen Wippler Violin Scholarship Fund at the Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO).

www.dyao.org/get-involved/donate.html

To learn more and/or make a contribution, please scroll down to Noteworthy Funds and select the Wippler Violin Scholarship Fund.

In conclusion, although Harold is, and will continue to be, profoundly missed by his family, we are so very grateful to the Lord for the incredible blessing and gift that he was as a father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Harold's legacy of love, wisdom, generosity, and encouragement are just a few of his qualities that have touched, inspired, and influenced us for a lifetime. Above all, the family is so thankful for the assurance that he is now safely in the loving arms of Jesus. Oh, what glorious music must be filling his soul, as Harold rejoices in the presence of his precious Savior and reunites with loved ones that preceded him. Such a glorious hope we are all being offered in Jesus, both for today and eternity!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies." John 11:25

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9