Harry Nordstrom died at his home in Northfield on November 13th, eight days shy of his 98th birthday. Harry taught Music at Carleton, beginning as an Instructor in Violin in 1950 and retiring as Professor of Music, Emeritus, in 1989. He continued to teach a few violin students after his retirement and he treasured the ongoing connection to students and the college.
Harry is described as being the model of an intellectually curious, hard-working, and compassionate colleague and teacher. His gifts of grace and kindness were matched by his musical abilities and his commitment to the growth of his students. A more complete obituary can be found on the Bierman Funeral Home website. An article from the Northfield News about Harry’s life is also available.
Along with his family, Carleton celebrated the life of Harry Nordstrom on May 1, 2022 in Skinner Chapel.
Comments
I count it as a stroke of great fortune to have had Harry Nordstrom as a senior colleague in my department. He was the model of an intelligent, hard-working, and especially kind and compassionate colleague. Every day he demonstrated how to be a good and effective department member and chair. Alas, I didn't always live up to that model, but because of Harry, I knew the goal.
Prof Nordstrom was my violin teacher when I was a freshman in 1983, then again when I was a senior. He was by far the best of the many teachers I had, before and after Carleton, the only one to truly inspire me to feel the music I was playing and be passionate about the instrument. What great fortune to have been his student.