Obituary of George Weiler

WEILER, George Henry, Jr., a public relations executive and tireless fundraiser for Yale University and Mercersburg Academy, died on November 13, 2008. He was 92 years old. Mr. Weiler was born on July 6, 1916 in Yonkers, NY to Bessie and George Henry Weiler, Sr. He was raised in Rutherford, NJ. He lived in Ridgewood, NJ for 51 years. He was a summer resident of Orleans, Cape Cod for over 50 years and McIlhaney, PA for over 60 years. He is survived by Jeanne Carol Brumbaugh Weiler, his wife of 67 years. He graduated Cum Laude from Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA in 1934 and from Yale University in 1938 with a B.S. in Business. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy in World War II and was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon and Victory Medal World War II. Prior to moving to Ridgewood in 1957, the Weiler's resided in Drexel Hill, PA. George Weiler is a past member of the Planning Board for the Village of Ridgewood and served on various committees at the YMCA of Ridgewood. He was a Charter Member of the National Republican Committee, a member of the Orleans Yacht Club and a member of The Yale Club of New York City. Mr. Weiler was a member of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church of Ridgewood, NJ. George Weiler served as Director of Public Relations for Pfizer, Inc. in New York City where he spearheaded the creation of a new corporate image for Pfizer. He served as Vice President of the Pfizer Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Pfizer. While at Pfizer, he was a member of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the Manufacturing Chemists Association and other trade associations and national organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. Upon retirement from Pfizer, he was National Public Relations Director for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where he was responsible for executing the highly successful national campaign "Athletes VS MS", a unique program that, for the first time, united virtually the entire sports world to eradicate multiple sclerosis. Many athletes and sports teams participated, including Jack Nicklaus, Jimmy Connors, Tom Seaver, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. After leaving the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Weiler was in charge of the public relations and development programs for the American Lung Association and The National Foundation/ March of Dimes. Mr. Weiler held many positions in the Yale Alumni Association of Bergen County (YAABC), including President. He served as a distinguished delegate for the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA) and received the Yale Alumni Fund Chairman's Award in 1990 for his devotion and achievement in reaching 100 percent class participation. In 1994, he received the prestigious Yale Medal for his dedication to the Yale Bergen County Alumni Association and for his extraordinary fundraising abilities which contributed to his Yale Class of 1938 raising over $72 million by their 70th Reunion. Mr. Weiler's drive and leadership helped insure that year after year his class led the way in alumni participation by 30 percent ahead of the Yale average. Richard Levin, President of Yale University, said "Few alumni clubs are fortunate enough to have in their midst a person who might be called "Mr. Yale", few classes are blessed with a person whose activities might earn him a similar appellation. Happily for Yale graduates, his work on behalf of Yale has given both such distinction". The Yale Medal is awarded to only 4 to 5 alumni every year and the names of the Yale Medal recipients are forever engraved on the walls of Yale Commons. For over 50 years, he served as Chairman of Class Agents for both Mercersburg '34 and Yale '38. George has always been a sports enthusiast and an avid Yankees fan. He saw Lou Gehrig play in his first game at the new Yankee Stadium in 1923 and attended 85 years later with his family in September, the last game in that original Yankee Stadium. George's name appeared on the scoreboard in recognition of his attending the first and last game at the original Yankee Stadium, which brought him great pride. Jeanne and George Weiler have established scholarships in the Weiler name at Yale University, Mercersburg Academy, The Pennington School, NJ, Catawba College, NC and Sweet Briar College, VA. In addition to his beloved wife Jeanne, George is survived by his five children and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Terry William Weiler. Children include George Henry Weiler, III of Bronxville, NY, Wendy Carol Weiler Chappell of Franklin Lakes, NJ, Christopher Lee Weiler of Wyckoff, NJ, Patricia Ann Weiler Thiess of Pittsburgh, PA and Pamela Jeanne Weiler Colling of Midland Park, NJ. Grandchildren include Katherine Corinne Weiler Crane, George Blair Weiler, Midshipman Alexander Charles Thiess, Nicole Jessie Weiler, Caroline Elizabeth Helena Chappell, Christopher Lee Weiler, Natalie Victoria Thiess, Winston James Weiler and Christina Erlinda Weiler. Mr. Weiler will be remembered by his family as a great American, a devoted husband, a loving and generous father and grandfather, energetic and never one to accept the status quo. A gracious gentleman, George Weiler epitomized the "greatest generation". He will be truly missed but always and forever dearly remembered in the hearts of his family, friends and colleagues. A memorial service celebrating George Weiler's life will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2009, 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff, NJ (www.vpfh.com)