Paying tribute to a teacher and friend
To the Editor,
He loved attending plays and, in fact, introduced many of his students to their first Pittsburgh production. He loved teaching Latin, drama, and literature. He loved his family, students, and co-workers. He loved Madonna High School, and along with the 3,396 students that he taught over a career that spanned fifty-three years, I loved him. His name was Walter Wieloh, and he passed away on October 28, 2009.
In the fall of 1963, I entered Madonna as a freshman and took Latin. We'd go over vocabulary and declensions, and I hated it. Amazingly I passed. In my senior year, Mr. Wieloh taught me Shakespeare, the Canterbury Tales, and how to write a term paper. How could one person know so much about plays and poetry and speak Latin too?
After I graduated from college with a teaching degree in English no less, I was hired by Hancock County. Since we both lived in Weirton, our paths crossed many times. We'd talk about our students and what we were teaching. Once we even shared materials because we were both teaching George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Walter Wieloh was a great teacher who loved his life's work and always had time to listen, encourage, and help his students. Over the years he sent out hundreds of cards for birthdays, graduations, and other occasions. When there was a death in the family, he'd visit the funeral home offering prayers and sympathy. He delighted in reminiscing, had a wonderfully warm laugh, was soft-spoken and humble. During my senior year at Madonna, he came up with the idea for The Little Magazine, which was a compilation of student writing and art work. From its simple beginnings, it has evolved into an award-winning publication, over and over again gaining recognition for its excellence. Never did he take personal credit for its success. Recently, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Weirton Hall of Fame and was also honored with the Bishop's Cross Award for Excellence in Education from the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese
In 1995 Mr. Wieloh was honored for forty years of teaching at Madonna during an evening attended by family, friends, co-workers and hundreds of students, many of whom talked about the impact he'd had on their lives. He was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity that came his way that night. From the monetary gifts he received, he was able to buy a new car. He would teach for thirteen more years.
I will remember the lessons that he taught me about life. He was the finest example of a good, Christian man instilling values and examples of kindness into the lives of those who sat in his classroom. As many said who signed the Greco-Hertnick guestbook, "He was Madonna High School." In the end, he taught us about courage. Shortly before he died, I sent him a card telling him that he had influenced the lives of hundreds of people. I hope he finally realized that.
I am so grateful that I was one of the 3,396 students who walked into Walter Wieloh's classroom. Rest well, my dear friend and teacher. You deserve it.
Mary Lou (LaMantia) James
Weirton
