Doublereed Archive - Posting 000001.txt from 2003/11

From: "Tice" <pgtice@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Harden F. Wittig
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 18:43:42 -0500

Dear list,
I played for a memorial service of this gentleman today. He sounded like a
true double-reeder, with many irons in the fire, a great mind and a terrific
sense of humor. I was moved by the service and wanted to share this little
bit with you all.

The organist told me that Mr. Wittig gave up playing the oboe because he
took up golf (equally as frustrating, I'm sure). Did anybody out there know
this man? I would love to hear some more stories.
Grace Tice

HARDEN F. WITTIG died Saturday, October 18, 2003, at his home, one month
before his 97th birthday. Harden was born in Galveston, Texas, on November
24, 1906 of loving parents, Pauline Martha Harden Wittig and Ernst Herman
Wittig, Sr. He attributed his long life to his parents' good genes rather
than anything he did. He graduated from Galveston public schools and
immediately went to work as assistant to the president of a steamship
agency. In 1942, he enlisted as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
Transportation Corps, and 5 weeks later was assigned to the Persian Gulf
Command as officer in charge of five ports in Persia. He left the Persian
Gulf Command as a Major, as officer in charge of the Control Branch in
Teheran. Harden returned to Galveston and his former steamship employers. He
incorporated that firm and founded Liberty Stevedore Co., Inc. and Deepsea
Agents, Inc. In 1969 he became sole owner of all three corporations. He
brought the original steamship firm to its 100-year anniversary (1884-1984)
and then merged all three into Deepsea Agents, Inc., which continued through
2001. He loved his work and did not slow down until well into his 80's. His
hobbies were photography, music, and golf. While attending New York
University to study Business Organization and Management, he also studied
Orchestra Conducting as a hobby. He played oboe for 13 years with the
Galveston Symphony under Conway Shaw, the Galveston Melody Orchestra and El
Mina Shrine Band. He was a member of BraeBurn Country Club since July 21,
1979, and an avid golfer, playing several times per week and making a
hole-in-one in May 2001 at the age of 94. He founded the Maritime Golf
Association 38 years ago, and managed the tournaments until 2001. Harden was
a long-time member of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, and served as chairman
of the Building Committee. He also served as vice president of the
development board of Texas Lutheran College (now University) in Seguin,
Texas. Harden was married to Helen Alma Reyder in 1937 and had one son,
Robert. Helen passed away in 1946. Harden then married Alma Helen Reyder in
1951, and had two daughters, Edith and Linda. Alma predeceased him in 1987.
He is survived by his son and two daughters: Robert Harden Wittig and his
wife Evelyn Wittig; Edith Wittig van Wageningen and her husband Henry van
Wageningen; and Dr. Linda Wittig and her husband John Shoemaker.
Grandchildren are Todd Wittig and his wife Heather; Kim Wittig Harris and
her husband Mark; Garrett, George and Jeffrey van Wageningen; and Cole and
Clara Shoemaker. Great-grandchildren are Hannah Wittig and Dylan Harris. He
is also survived by a sister-in-law Charlotte Reyder Wyont; a nephew Ernst
H. Wittig III; a cousin Mildred Wittig; and other beloved relatives and
treasured friends. Harden willed his body to The University of Texas Medical
School-Houston to assist in medical research. A Memorial Service will be
held at Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, 12211 Memorial Dr. at Gessner, on
Saturday, November 1, 2003, at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family
suggests a memorial contribution to Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, 12211
Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77024, or a donation to the charity of your
choice.
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 11/1/2003.