Walter L. Hart, 88, founder of the Golden Eagle Marching Band and Clarion State College's first director of admissions, died on Thursday, May 15, 1997, in Shores Nursing Home, Bradenton, FL, following a short illness.
Hart spent 38 of his 44 years in education at Clarion State Teacher's
College and Clarion State College. He joined the faculty in 1940 as a member of the music
faculty and director of college choirs and bands. In 1941, he organized the Golden Eagle
Marching Band. It lasted one year before being disbanded because of World War II. With the
student population growing following the war, Hart reorganized the band in 1947 with 28
members and continued as director until 1958.
At that time, Hart became Clarion State College's first director of admissions and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1977.
Hart was a native of Franklin and he received his bachelor's degree in music from Grove City College and his master's degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. He did additional graduate work at New York University.
Hart taught in the Chicora and Otto school districts before moving to Clarion. He had resided in Bradenton since 1977.
On Oct. 13, 1990, Clarion University honored Hart for his years of service by naming the former Chapel building as the Walter C. Hart Chapel/Theatre. He was also honored as the fourth recipient of Distinguished Faculty Award presented by the Clarion University Alumni Association in 1971.
Hart was a former deacon in the Clarion Presbyterian Church and the Bradenton Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was a past president of the Clarion Kiwanis Club and was state song leader in Kiwanis. He served as state adjudicator in music contest in New York state and in Pennsylvania.
He married Cecile MacMillan in 1934. She proceeded him in death in 1990.
Surviving are two daughters Patricia Fallon of Murrysville and Sandra Phillips of Reno, NV, and two grandchildren.