David Stahl Obituary

memories of fine concerts performed with Maestro Stahl when I was concertmaster of the orchestra 1991-93. His leadership and music will live on as his legacy.
Harris Shilakowsky

Byron and Anna,

I met you both this past summer, as I am the nursing student who helped care for your mom on 5S.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of both your parents passing recently. Your mom and dad were beautiful individuals, inside and out. It was obvious the deep love for each other they held and the love and pride for you as well. They loved to tell me how blessed they were to have such wonderful children, and after meeting you I could see why they were so proud!

I pray for you to get through one day at a time...my heartfelt sympathies are with you both and your family.

I remember working with David and the CSO Chorus during Porgy and Bess as well as the Christmas concerts that the CSO Gospel Chorus presented... I know that God has him in his care...You have touched so many lives and your legacy will live on forever...

David Stahl was a supremely talented musician and conductor. He was also truly charismatic, and a prince of a man. He accomplished so very much, in his short lifetime. I was happy that he asked me, to take all his piano students, when he left New York. Hadassah Guttmann (Queens, NY).

10/30/10

Byron and Anna:

Your Mom Karen is my 1st cousin. I am your Great Aunt Myrtle's oldest daughter. I am the person that I am today because of your Grandmother Greta; she was my Aunt Greta. My childhood was much about visiting Aunt Greta and Uncle Junie on Sunday afternoons and playing with my cousins Susan and Karen. David was born when I was almost 12. He played more with my younger sister, Mary Ann. We also spent times together at the home place, the Farm, in Traphill, NC. The farm was owned by the Spicer's and later the Swaringen's, Betty and DB, your Great Grandparents! You have a wonderful German heritage from the Swaringen’s, although your cousin Brad tells me that the spelling of Swaringen is not correct for German. Brad Williard is my youngest son; he is completing a DMA, doctor of musical arts, at the University of Kentucky. Your Dad and Mom made a huge impression on Brad, when he was a freshman at the NCSA. Brad loves 'Opera' as much as anyone I have ever known. My husband is Ron Ingram, and he loved your Mom and Dad. Ron respects David's and Karen's accomplishment in this life, as I do. Ron is a 'Computer Analyst' with Wachovia/ Wells Fargo; he is much respected in the technology world. I am a retried 'NC Real Estate Educator and General Appraiser'. Our oldest son, Chris, is a VP and with Wells Fargo also. Chris and Brad Williard are your cousins. Chris has a wife, Jennifer; they have three children Ben, Megan, and Jacob, ages 9,7,4 respectively and your cousins. The last name of these cousins is Williard, due to my previous marriage. I mailed you a card today with pictures to help.

We give you this information, so you will know that you have much family. We have influenced each other for generations. And our love runs deep! We all will do anything to help each other, which will not change even in death.

Ron and I visited your home after Aunt Bonnie died. We had a wonderful lunch with your Mom at your new home in Hollywood. We have attended several of your Dad's concerts, and we admire his talent and love of the Arts.

Just know that you came from the 'heart of God', and 'His loving hand' will be upon you. When our parents leave us early, we as 'His Children' are blessed this way. God is with us and looks over us in a special way. You will know that 'He' is close to you as you speak to 'Him'; you will feel 'His comforting words in your heart'.

Ron and I love you very much, although we have not seen you in a long time. Our love is with you also. We , Ron and I, will see you November 13th at the Memorial Service.

Ron and Pat Ingram
574 Browning Place
Winston-Salem, NC. 27103
(336) 760-4896 Home
(336) 416-4762 Pat cell
[email protected] E-mail
___________________________________________

Sonja, Byron and Anna,

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Kimmy was in Mrs. Stahl's K-5 class and loved her so much. Our other daughter, Kristin, was in First grade with Sonja. I subbed and had both Byron and Anna off and on over the years. Your parents were wonderful people and brought so much to Charleston. You will all be in my prayers. We lost my husband, the girls Daddy, about a year ago to cancer and time heals, slowly at times, but it does. May you heal with Godspeed and continue the legacy your family started. Lisa Cerny

We are saddened to hear of both David and Karen's passing. The CSO flourished under his leadership.

To the family of David Stahl, especially Anna and Byron:
It has been a difficult time for so many people who loved your dad, including us.
Our hearts go out to you. May God's peace comfort you.
David was a wonderful person.

Life is so fragile. My heart aches so that I can hardly find the words to express my profound sense of loss and my deep love for David and Karen. Every singer waits and prays for a conductor that believes in and supports their talent and their career. David was that to me and more. In his last text to me he asked me to pray for a miracle. David was one of the miracles in my life. My career would not have been as full and rich without the encouragement of his words and the sensitivity of his baton.

I will always remeber that last time I saw David and Karen standing at my dressing room door...so excited to see each other again...him looking like the consumate conductor and a dear friend all in one... and Karen with that beautiful smile, teling me she could hardly wait to hear "Summertime".

Thank you Adam Parker and Brad Nettles for your words and photographs that brought me to tears.

Thank you God for sending Maestro David Stahl into my life.

Goodnight David and Karen...sleep well. I will miss you so much.

Anna and Byron, My heart goes out to you both. It was a wonderful pleasure to known your parents. Know that they are together and will be watching over you both. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Anna and Byron, your parents were two remarkable people, and I am happy I had the privilege of knowing them. I am proud to say I was a member of the CSOC and equally as proud to know both of you. My heart goes out to you both, but you are also shining reflections of their character. May God bless you!

He was a gift to Charleston. He brought music to our lives. He will be missed on earth, but welcomed to heaven. May God bless his children left behind.

Anna and Byron,
I watched your father conduct from both sides of the stage as an avid concert- goer and a singer in the CSOC. His passion for his music showed in the way he 'danced' while conducting and in his attention to detail. Charleston will always remember him for the beauty he lent to our lives. I can't imagine what losing your parents within the space of a month must be like. Please know that hundreds of people who you don't even know are praying for your strength and solace.
May your mother's and father's memory be a blessing to you always.

Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of Maestro Stahl, his phenomental talent and exceptional personality will be greatly missed in our community. We appreciated David's dedication and contribution to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra over the years and the positive impact his work had on the cultural fabric of the region. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Stahl family during these very difficult days, may the memories of your precious loved ones bring you comfort.

We have lost a wonderful cousin. One who may stay in our hearts forever. Rest in peace. Gene and Frank Stahl, Richmond, Va.

Anna and Byron, your parents were wonderful people. I had the honor of singing with the CSO chorus and enjoyed them both

Word of David Stahl's death comes as a shocking surprise, surpassed only by the just-revealed news of his wife Karen's passing a scant monthago.

On both sides of the Atlantic we have lost a beloved friend, treasured colleague, devoted artist, and citizen who raised the level of artistic excellence --and ultimately civilization-- within the communities he served. We are so much the richer for his Life and so much the poorer for his passing.

David Stahl had a vision for his beloved Charleston and its musical life. Will Charleston now let this vision die or will his life be a testament as to what classical music means to a city? Our city and his. Pick up the challenge Charleston. We can't let the CSO die for that would negate all that David Stahl stood for. He showed us how it can be. It is our turn now to pick up his baton and run with it.

May David's music live forever in our hearts.

We've lost a great musican, community leader, and friend...All who knew him will miss him greatly. Rest in Peace.