Hal Weisbein Sr. (June 29, 2016)
TOPSHAM — Dr. Harold “Hal” Weisbein Sr., 81, of Topsham, Maine died Wednesday, June 29, 2016, following a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, on March 25, 1935, he was a lifelong competitive athlete, passionate educator, avid outdoorsman and most proudly a fiercely devoted family man.
Hal accomplished significant educational achievements by earning his Bachelors of Science from Westchester State Teacher’s College; Masters of Science from Ohio University and his Doctorate of Education from Oklahoma State University. While completing his Master’s degree, Hal was also called to serve his country for two years in the Army. It was at that time when he was stationed in Ft. Sill, OK that he met the love of his life, Margaret (Walser) Weisbein.
Upon completion of his service, they were married and moved to Woodbury, NJ, where he began his teaching and coaching career at Clearview Regional High School. Hal achieved tremendous success as the founding coach of Clearview’s baseball team, and within a span of five years he led the talented young team to win the NJ State Championship in 1966.
Although Hal left NJ the following year to pursue an opportunity teaching and coaching at the college level in OK, his memorable record remained such a significant accomplishment in the history of the school that in 2013, “Coach” Hal was presented with the incredible honor of having the original Clearview baseball field named after him in a special dedication ceremony. It was among his proudest moments in his life, to still be remembered and commemorated so many years later by the school system where his career began and in the presence of several of his former players from those winning teams with whom he still remained in contact.
The height of Hal’s teaching career was spent in Chickasha, OK at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma from 1967-1991, where he was a tenured professor of Health and Physical Education. In addition to advising, coaching and mentoring countless students and athletes over the years, Hal served in several leadership roles for the University’s committees and programs. Hal also proudly served the State Department of Education of Oklahoma over the years assisting as a member of the Governor’s Council of Fitness and Sports, writing college curriculum and publishing numerous physical education articles.
In 1991, Hal took an early retirement from OK, so that he and Margaret could move to Maine year-round. Maine always held a special place in his heart as a result of spending every summer traveling with his family to Salmon Lake in Belgrade, where Hal was a long-time waterfront counselor at Camp Kennebec. The bonds formed with the many other Camp Kennebec families have remained special life-long friendships for which he was always so grateful.
Hal finished his college career working several more years on a part-time basis as a recruiter, lecturer and advisor for the University of Southern Maine, before permanently retiring from formal education to pursue his most important job as “Pop-pop” assisting with the before/after school care, transportation and continuous “education” of his two adored grandchildren.
Hal is immediately survived by his loving wife of nearly 56 years, Margaret (Walser) Weisbein of Topsham; his devoted daughters Karen Weisbein of Belgrade, and Pam Bowerman and her husband, Loyd, of Brunswick; as well as his cherished grandchildren, Mackenzie Bowerman and Hayden Bowerman for whom he was very proud. Hal was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Edith (Gasparro) Weisbein, and by his beloved son, Harold Weisbein, Jr., whose tragic death in 2006 he never fully overcame.
The family is honoring Hal’s request that there be no funeral service. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Hal’s memory to either the Topsham Public Library at www.topshamlibrary.org, or 25 Foreside Road, Topsham, ME 04086, or to Mid Coast Hospital, Annual Giving Fund Mid Coast Hospital PO Box 279 Brunswick, ME 04011-9992.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.FuneralAlternatives.net.