Gladstone, MI
Dr. George Whitfield, age 91, of Gladstone passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.
Dr. George Whitfield was born May 11, 1924, in Vesta, Nebraska, to William Russell Whitfield and Mary G. (Ellenberger) Whitfield. He grew up in Ames, Iowa, and graduated from Ames High School in 1942. He served in the Army Air Force as a radio operator.
On May 26, 1951, he married the late Mary Rose Lantz of Kearney, Nebraska. On July 11, 1970, he married Laila M. Hansen of Marquette.
Dr. Whitfield received his Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, in 1948, his Master of Music from the University of Rochester in 1950. He was awarded the degree Doctor of Musical Arts by the University of Michigan in 1963.
George was a member of the Music Department at Kearney State College, Nebraska, from 1950 to 1963, and a member of the Music Department at Northern Michigan University from 1963 to 1988, when he retired from active teaching. George and Laila relocated to Gladstone in 2001.
Dr. Whitfield then became a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. Formerly he was a member of St. Louis the King Catholic Church in Harvey and a long time member of its choir. George was also a member of the St. Louis the King Conference of St. Vincent DePaul and the Knights of Columbus Council 6447, as well as a life member of the NEA-MEA, the College Music Society, and the Alpha Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.
George liked to play both tennis and table tennis, work in his woodworking shop, read American history, listen to music, travel, and visit his children and grandchildren.
George
Bill Barrette - Negaunee, Mi
Dr. Whitfield was a great college professor! If you did not pass his class it was YOUR own fault! He would give you all the chances in the world and would help you privately! I remember when about 4 of us did music for Fr. Gauthier’s 50th Ordination Anniversary at St. Louis in Harvey! All of us were previously students of Dr. Whitfield — he told us before the Mass to do him proud! We did and Dr. Whitfield was in the choir singing his heart out! RIP Dr. Whitfield! I am sure your love for music will be used in the Heaven above!
Paul Rajala - Gladstone, MI
Dr. Whitfield nurtured the finest of the finest – he was the finest of professors at the Northern Michigan University School Of Music. May the music continue through the many students he was able to instruct. R.I.P.
Dennis Ormsbee - Grayling , Mi
Mr Whitfield taught at NMU when I was a student he was a wonderful man and teacher.
Stan H. Wright - Negaunee, MI
George was always a very supportive professor, working as hard as he could to help advance his students’ abilities. Some may say he was impatient, but only when he saw so much potential that it frustrated him not to see or hear it come through sooner. Many musicians owe him a tremendous debt for all he did for them, even beyond retirement. We will all carry his legacy forward. Rest in Peace, Dr. Whitfield!
Sue Ellen (Matthews) Fealko - Syracuse, NY
Dr. Whitfield has always been a special person in my life. Although I had other teachers before and after him, he was always THE piano teacher to me. This was back in the 60’s at NMU, when he had the last office in that crooked hallway of the music department building. He was truly one of the best piano teachers there at that time. Dr. Whitfield was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule at NMU to give me lessons when I was only in high school. I still remember how he was always cheerful and kind and so encouraging no matter how the lesson went. Of course, he asked me to do the impossible every week, seemed like, but on the way I did learn a lot about playing piano. It’s been one of my favorite things to do throughout my life, and so I am extremely grateful that I had him for my teacher. May God bless his family!
Sheila Wedell - Escanaba, MI
George was my mother Edyie Spriks’s next door neighbor and used to be so kind and friendly to her and all of us in the family. He will be sadly missed. The last time I spoke to him was at Christian Park where he was visiting Laila after her fall. Always a smile on his face, a kind word spoken and a sparkle in his eye! If they have casino’s in heaven George, my mom would probably like to tag along like she so often did with you and Laila! Rest in heavenly peace George.
Robert Buchkoe - Marquette, MI
Dr. Whitfield was a major force in my life. I have devoted my life to music and he was the teacher with whom I studied the longest. My six years with him were rich and eventful. I enjoyed preparing for recitals and learning a lot of new music and technique under his tutelage. He was very scholarly and commanding–yes, he could instill fear in some of his students, but I always learned so much from him and he was always very considerate and kind to me. I enjoyed visiting him in Gladstone with a friend who also studied with him and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I have been teaching piano for over forty years and I would like to think that I am passing down his legacy to my students. I owe so much to him and treasure the time I have known him. I will miss him greatly. My sympathies to Laila and his family.
Donald Bruner - Livonia, MI
Condolences to the family. I had Mr. Whitfield for piano while I was a student at NMU. I was very grateful that his son Lance conducted/played in the Marquette City Band while I was involved in the band in Marquette.
Eric Chapman - Escanaba, MI
My condolences to Dr. Whitfield’s family. I was a piano student of Dr. Whitfield. I always felt I was his cross to bear as a teacher. He tried to make a piano soloist but I only wanted to be an accompanist. I learned so much from him and still carry his love of music and his teachings with me today. I know the heavenly choir gained a new member.
Elda Tate - Marquette, MI
My deepest condolences to all; I will miss George!
Claire Matthews Reitter - Columbus, OH
Dr. George Whitfield was my piano teacher in high school back in the mid-1960s after my previous teacher, Alma Swinton had passed away. I remember some particular classical pieces I learned under his tutelage and the specific discussions we got into about the interpretation of them. It was very stimulating to have a piano teacher who could get into these types of conversations with such mutual respect. Then several years later, I attended George and Laila’s wedding and the reception afterwards at their new house which was large enough to accommodate all of their children. The wedding was one of the happiest occasions I’ve attended, and it was really sweet to see that George and Laila could find true love at their stage in life. May he rest in peace surrounded by beautiful music, and my deepest condolences go out to Laila and his family.