Dr. Weed

Waynesville, NC-Dr. Maurice J. Weed, 92, died on August 1, 2005 at Pisgah Manor Healthcare. Dr. Weed was born in Kalamazoo, MI and spent his youth there except for three years when he and his family lived in Colorado Spring, CO. Dr. Weed graduated from Western Michigan University and taught high school music for several years. Following service in World War II, Dr. Weed became a faculty member at Ripon College in Wisconsin. A composer, Dr. Weed received his Master of Music and Ph.D. Degrees from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. During a long teaching career at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, Dr. Weed taught composition and music theory. A number of his compositions won awards including his Symphony and a piece for small orchestra titled Serenity. Although he trained as a trumpet player and had taught trumpet during summer months in DeKalb, he usually played saxophone with the DeKalb Community Band. He composed Hopkins Park March for that group. While at NIU, Dr. Weed also developed and taught a course in the History of American Music. He served many times as an adjudicator for High School band contests and wrote articles on music education and trumpet technique and literature. Dr. Weed and his wife retired to the Waynesville, NC area in 1975. Dr. Weed enjoyed hiking and gardening and was also interested in environmental issues. He corresponded with colleagues and many of his former students. He is survived by two daughters, Allison and her husband, Walter Herrick of Ardsley, NY; Laurice, and her husband, Samuel Rich, of Atlantic Beach, NC; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Berneice, and his sister, Eleanor. Funeral services were privately held.