Harry Wistar Weymer III

1950 - 2018

Harry Weymer, III

Ithaca - Harry Wistar Weymer, III, known affectionately as Skip to his family, passed on December 20, 2017 at home after a 21 month journey with Glioblastoma. He was 67.

Harry is survived by his wife of 42 years, Melanie Schmitt Weymer, his sister, Francia Weymer Reed, his sister-in-law, Victoria Schmitt (Donald) Hlinsky, nieces and nephews: Michael (Mary) Reed, Robert (Kristen) Reed, Christopher (Stacey) Reed, Thomas Reed, Gerald R. (Yeo Jeong) Hlinsky, Dianne V. Hlinksy, as well as several great nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Peg Weymer, and his cousins.

Harry was born on June 22, 1950 in Flushing, NY to the late Harry W. Weymer, Jr. and Ethel Nordhoff Weymer. Raised in St. Albans, NY and Queens Village, NY, he graduated from Grace Lutheran Church Day School in 1964 and from Martin Van Buren High School in 1968. Harry was awarded the BA with honors in German and French from SUNY Cortland in May 1972.

Harry began his college career as a biology major, but, after getting up in winter at 2 AM to count flies in a petri dish, he decided to change majors. His keen interest in foreign languages took him to Heidelberg, Germany in September 1969 for a yearlong program at Schiller College, where he met the love of his life, Melanie. Additional studies at universities in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Valencia, Spain, Guanajuato, Mexico and in Trois Rivières, Québec deepened his love of language.

Immediately after graduation, Harry began his 33 year career at Ithaca High School, teaching German and French, and occasionally Spanish and Russian. Determined to find ways for his students to experience the culture of a language outside of the classroom, Harry would often drive them to ethnic neighborhoods in Binghamton, New York City and Toronto. For many years, he served as the advisor for the High School's International Club, bringing together American and international students to share cultural traditions. In the latter years of his career, Harry and his Ithaca colleagues organized summer exchanges with high schools in Tuttlingen, Germany where he often co-taught classes with his German counterparts.

While he would often disagree, his family called him a true Renaissance man. His interests were eclectic and wide ranging. It was not uncommon to find him bidding on a Roman coin, translating a book on Pre-Columbian explorers or caring for his extensive collection of orchids. Nighttime would find Harry watching PBS or the History Channel, doing a better job than the commentator in clarifying the background of some Greek archeological discovery or Knights Templar conquest.

Harry loved spontaneity in his life. It was not uncommon for him to suggest going to a familiar or exotic place and, once there, to explore and experience new sights, sounds and cultures. He was incessantly curious, and his intellect constantly amazed his family and friends. Ever the teacher, he loved sharing his interests, entertaining and delighting us along the way.

The family wishes to thank Harry's friends, neighbors and former colleagues for their love and support throughout his journey and to express gratitude to the staff at Cayuga Medical Center and the Cayuga Hematology Oncology Center for their excellent medical care.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at The Life Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in Old Westbury, Long Island, NY, followed by a luncheon in The Fellowship Room. In early June, Harry's family will host a celebration of his life in Ithaca. . Memorial gifts in Harry's name may be made to Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, to Cancer Resource Center, 612 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.