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Wendell E. Orr
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Wendell Orr Obituary
Professor Orr was born July 23, 1930 to Lloyd W. and Ruth L. Orr of La Hogue. He grew up in La Hogue and rural Onarga, attending the La Hogue School for four years and graduating from the Onarga Public Schools.
Professor Orr held B.S. and B.Mus. (cum laude) degrees from Lawrence University, and a M. Mus. degree from the University of Michigan, where he was inducted into the National Music Honor Society, Pi Kappa Lambda. He did further work at Michigan, studied voice and opera in Italy, and repertory at the Edinburgh Festival, in London and at the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival School.
He served as an Admissions Officer at Lawrence University, and held faculty appointments at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the Emporia (KS) State University, the University of New Hampshire and Youngstown State University (OH), retiring in 1992 as a full professor. Professor Orr appeared as soloist and conductor in recital, oratorio and opera throughout much of the United States and Canada for over forty years, including four Boston Pops appearances. His students were successful at all levels, from public schools to the Metropolitan Opera.
Professor Orr was married to Nancy Brannan of Baraboo, Wisconsin from 1952 until her death in 1984. He was married to Vivian Harris, a high school friend, from 1989 until her death in 2007. He is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Howard) Van Houten of Traverse City, Michigan and a son Douglas (Julia) Orr of Dalkey, Ireland, and by his stepdaughters Marsha (Douglas) Dirks and Margo Jorgensen of Kissimmee, Florida, and Monte Harris of Bradley, Illinois. A sister, Janice Orr of Yorktown, Virginia, also survives.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Wendell's family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684
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