Victor Stern, 89

FLAT ROCK — Victor Stern, 89 of Flat Rock, died peacefully in the Elizabeth House on Aug 26, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.

He grew up in NYC where he studied music, and where he met his wife, Joyce Fritz and married in 1944. They recently celebrated their 68th anniversary. They moved to Florida in 1947. Victor had a long and successful career as violist, performing with a number of orchestras, among them Fred Waring, Harry James, NBC, the Miami Symphony, the Greenville South Carolina Symphony, and the Asheville Symphony. He was Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the University of Miami from 1952 -1984. He was on the faculty of numerous summer music festivals, including the Brevard Music Center, the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival, and the Eastern Music Festival of Greensboro. Upon retiring in 1984 he moved to Flat Rock. He worked in the community for the benefit of the hard-of-hearing.

Victor is survived by his wife, Joyce, his three children, Ben Stern of Haifa, Israel; Ruth Samad of San Diego, CA, and Jessica Beir of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and six grandchildren.

Donations can be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday Aug 29, 2012 at Agudas Israel Synagogue, 505 Glasgow Lane, Hendersonville NC, 28739 with Rabbi Philip Cohen officiating.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.