The Peru Gazette

Lynn Wilke leads the Peru Marching Band down Main Street

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s newer residents probably know Lynn Wilke as the gentleman riding about town in the small black Hyundai with the yellow flashing light on the top. Longtime Peru residents know Mr. Wilke as the former Peru High School music teacher and band director (1952-85). Others know him as a Plattsburgh College Community Orchestra member, a hunting safety instructor, a Civil Air Patrol Commander, the man who proudly sounds taps at patriotic ceremonies, the ham radio operator or a Battle of Little Big Horn – George Custer expert. St. Augustine’s parishioners know Lynn as their Organist Emeritas who retired in 2008 after 55 years of service, but who still plays the recessional hymn at Sunday Mass. When Lynn Wilke celebrates his 85th birthday on June 6^th, he can be assured that he has won the respect of many people.

Ann and Lynn Wilke enjoy “Lynn Wilke’s Opus”.

Opus Conductor Kirk Wilke (R) applauds his dad.

Last April the community demonstrated its respect for Lynn by filling the high school auditorium for “Mr. Wilke’s Opus.” Alumni and current students performed operatic duos, classical music, and the music of America that Mr. Wilke loves. They recalled marching in the 1964 World’s Fair Parade, at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics groundbreaking and awards ceremonies and at the Quebec City and Saranac Lake Winter Carnivals. Other alumni, many of whom are professional musicians, wrote letters referring to Mr. Wilke as their uncle, father, friend and mentor. Mr. Wilke played his saxophone, joked with the audience and expressed his heartfelt thanks. The band members smiled broadly as they observed the playful, energetic and spirited former teacher who has influenced so many lives. As Lynn Wilke told the Peru Gazette, “I wanted to do something different than all the other schools and not be afraid of doing it.”

Band Director Henry Fordham (L), Mr. Wilke 2nd from left.

Henry “Hank” Fordham, an East Rockaway High School band director and guidance counselor, was the most influential person in Lynn Wilke’s life. His second grade teacher told him, “You’ll never make anything of yourself.” Lynn explained, “I see everything backwards. I have dyslexia.”  Mr. Fordham apparently noticed Lynn’s potential. One day he knocked on the door of Lynn’s boyhood home and asked if Lynn would like to play a musical instrument. After briefly trying to play the violin, Lynn transitioned to the saxophone. He recalled, “I took to the sax quickly.”  When Lynn reached the 9^th grade Mr. Fordham asked if he would like to take the 12th grade music regents exam. He got a 92, the highest grade in the school. That success must have built his confidence; Lynn was eventually inducted into the National Honor Society. When the Peru Band was in New York for the World’s Fair Parade, Henry Fordham was there cheering Lynn and the band on.

Lynn Wilke also had other role models including his mother, Mildred Roemer, who was an artist and avid Metropolitan Opera devotee. His grandmother, Mimi, was a concert pianist. His maternal grandfather, Jack Allison, was an inventor, cellist and mandolinist. His father, John “Jack” Wilke, was a catalog proofreader, a ham radio operator and hunter. During World War II, as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Jack Wilke would board a small boat in the early evening to venture into the Atlantic Ocean to search for the German submarines that were ravaging American supply and troop ships.

The Wilke and Allison families have served their country in each generation beginning with the Civil War. Asked what he believes to be the most important personal quality, Mr. Wilke responded, “Respect for the country. That’s the most important thing.” Then he added, “I love people. I love this country and I love Peru.”

Four generations of patriotic service: John F. Wilke, Harvey H. Allison, Lynn H. Wilke and Kirk E. Wilke

Mr. Wilke also mentioned another personal quality as being very important. He said, “Honor women!” He may have been recalling his good fortune in having married two wonderful ladies. Not long after arriving in Peru, he was introduced to music teacher Joanne Coffee.  It didn’t take Lynn long to ask Joanne, “Do you play the piano?” Those words foretold the next 43 years as the couple, who married in 1954, collaborated to produce beautiful music. Their two children are music professionals. Kirk is a respected conductor in the Washington DC region. Carol is a professor at the SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music.

Lynn and Joanne in concert at St. Augustine’s Church

Joanne Wilke passed away in September, 1997, only a few months prior to the North Country’s historic ice storm.  Ann Sears Robbins had raised a family and knew Lynn as one of her children’s teachers. When the ice storm disabled many of the region’s phone lines, many people were unable to communicate with family members including one of Ann’s friends. Knowing that Lynn was a ham radio operator, she called to ask for his assistance. A dinner date followed and, as they say, the rest is history.  Ann and Lynn were married on October 12, 1998. Since then they have enlarged Lynn’s School Street home, traveled, enjoyed good times together and supported each other as health challenges have arisen. Click here to view these photos and more. 

Ann Robbins Wilke and Radar, Lynn Wilke and Benji

Dedicated in a yearbook and in life!