The following is an e-mail received by the Alumni Association from Mr. Herbert Fiss's grandson, Paul Gillespie.
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It is with a heavy heart that I write of my
grandfather Herbert Fiss's passing this week. Opa, to me (meaning
grandfather in German), passed away yesterday, June 23, 2004, of natural
causes. He is survived by his daughter Norma Gillespie (my mother), his
son Herbert Fiss, Jr., nine grandchildren and upwards of two dozen
great-grandchildren. He was 93 and sharp as ever.
I'm writing to you as the President of the
Villanova Singers Alumni Society. I know what a big role in the Singers'
history my grandfather played. I attended the graduation ceremony when he
was recognized with his honorary PhD. (I'm sure you know we all had to
call him Dr. Fiss after that).
If you can pass the word along to his former
students, I'm sure they would like knowing that Herbert Fiss lived out his
life after VU exactly as he always had -- with passion, determination,
spirit, precision, and an undying love for the beauty found in music.
All remembrances and thoughts others wish to
share with Dr. Fiss's family are welcome via email to me at this address.
With best regards,
Paul Gillespie
Herbert Fiss Student (violin, 1970-1973)
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