1923
Walter
2007
Walter Lawson
March 9, 1923 — June 13, 2007
Walter A. Lawson, horn player with the Baltimore Symphony for 28 years and later a French horn designer and builder, died June 13, 2007 of congestive heart failure at Reeders Memorial Home in Boonsboro.
He was born March 9, 1923 in Binghamton, NY to Frank B. and Alice E. Allen Lawson. As a World War II veteran, serving in the 3180th Signal Corps primarily in the South Pacific, he received the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
After the war he studied at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore and graduated in 1952 with a teachers certificate in horn. He played and taught French horn with the Baltimore Symphony for 26 years, returning to Peabody as a faculty member from 1973 to 1975. He had a career ending injury in 1978 and he rehabilitated from being partially paralyzed to open a musical instrument shop in Boonsboro with his three sons. He began a second career building the instruments he so loved for another almost 30 years.
As a testament to his skill, his instruments have been played all over the world in major symphony orchestras as well as military bands, Broadway shows and similar venues. In addition to his craft, in 1981 he was instrumental in inviting world renown horn soloist, Barry Tuckwell, to Hagerstown to become the first conductor for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, as he felt there was an acute need for a regional orchestra.
In recognition to his accomplishments and influence on so many young students, musicians and patrons, in 1987 the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association conferred to him its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann S. Lawson; three sons, Bruce A. Lawson and wife, Deborah, and Duane S. Lawson and wife Susan, all of Hagerstown, and Paul D. Lawson and wife Rebecca of Boonsboro; granddaughters, Charlotte Davis and husband Craig of Middletown, MD, and Amy Lawson of Baltimore; and great-grandsons, Erik and Andrew Davis of Middletown.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Joyce Lawson.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 27 at Bast Funeral Home in Boonsboro. The Rev. Robert G. Brennan Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Boonsboro Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Morris Frock American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to San Mar Children's Home, 8504 Mapleville Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713 or to American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
He was born March 9, 1923 in Binghamton, NY to Frank B. and Alice E. Allen Lawson. As a World War II veteran, serving in the 3180th Signal Corps primarily in the South Pacific, he received the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
After the war he studied at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore and graduated in 1952 with a teachers certificate in horn. He played and taught French horn with the Baltimore Symphony for 26 years, returning to Peabody as a faculty member from 1973 to 1975. He had a career ending injury in 1978 and he rehabilitated from being partially paralyzed to open a musical instrument shop in Boonsboro with his three sons. He began a second career building the instruments he so loved for another almost 30 years.
As a testament to his skill, his instruments have been played all over the world in major symphony orchestras as well as military bands, Broadway shows and similar venues. In addition to his craft, in 1981 he was instrumental in inviting world renown horn soloist, Barry Tuckwell, to Hagerstown to become the first conductor for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, as he felt there was an acute need for a regional orchestra.
In recognition to his accomplishments and influence on so many young students, musicians and patrons, in 1987 the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association conferred to him its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann S. Lawson; three sons, Bruce A. Lawson and wife, Deborah, and Duane S. Lawson and wife Susan, all of Hagerstown, and Paul D. Lawson and wife Rebecca of Boonsboro; granddaughters, Charlotte Davis and husband Craig of Middletown, MD, and Amy Lawson of Baltimore; and great-grandsons, Erik and Andrew Davis of Middletown.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Joyce Lawson.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 27 at Bast Funeral Home in Boonsboro. The Rev. Robert G. Brennan Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Boonsboro Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Morris Frock American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to San Mar Children's Home, 8504 Mapleville Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713 or to American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
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