Irving Wassermann1914 - 2013Irving Wassermann passed away on Nov, 2013, at the age of 99. He lived a long, rich, accomplished life. Most importantly to him, he cherished the opportunity to be a teacher to so many.He was born on Sept. 23, 1914, to Laura and Adolph Wassermann. He was the eldest child of three. He came from a long line of rabbis, judges, and lawyers, and received a law degree from the University of Krakow. But his love was music, and he was studying piano performance and composition from some of the most prominent artists in Europe while achieving his degree. Caught up in the turmoil of pre-war Europe, Irving was able to make it to New York in 1938. Most of his family perished in the Holocaust. Because of debilitating pain in his hands, he moved to the dry climate of Logan, Utah at the suggestion of a friend from Poland. He arrived on a bus knowing no one else. More than seventy years later, his legacy endures. He began his Logan experience by teaching private students, playing on radio shows, and doing whatever he could to support himself. He met, and married, a Logan native, Mary Peterson, in 1942. Soon after their marriage, he entered the Army.When he returned from service, he continued teaching private students. In 1955 he was appointed to the position of Professor of Piano at Utah State University, the first person to hold that post. That was the start of a decades-long career during which he performed, taught, and thoroughly and energetically loved the University, his colleagues, and most importantly, his students. He had reason to be proud of many of his initiatives. He was particularly proud of creating one of the first programs for music therapy in the country, with the support of the University administration. And his name will live on through the Wassermann Music Festival, which has brought in world-class musicians to pass on their knowledge to hundreds, if not thousands, of participants. Our family is so appreciative of the music faculty and USU, whose work continues to honor our father through this event.He was the father of three children: Dr. Paul I. Wassermann (wife Irene), Ellen Wassermann (husband William Wohlmacher), and Ann (Rooney) Wassermann (partner Diane Redden). He loved and was so proud of his two grandchildren, Michael Paul Wassermann and Kathryn Wassermann.He was a man of so many accomplishments, a person who couldn't fathom spending a day without learning something new, a loving spouse who spent many years caring for his wife, a friend to so many, a man so grateful for the welcoming embrace of a small town, and a person who always acknowledged his good fortune in landing in the community he came to love.He is survived by his children and grandchildren, his beloved sister Viska, his nephews Steven, Phil, and Doug, and their children.There will be no formal service at this time. With the support of Utah State University, there will be a concert in the spring to honor his life and legacy. The family would like to acknowledge the remarkable care and support of the staff of Canyon Creek Senior Center and Inspiration Hospice, as well as the care of both our parents given by Dr. Michael Stones and his staff in Logan. And of course to his friends and students, there are not words sufficient to express our gratitude for all the many things you did for our mother and dad throughout their lifetimes.