Dear German Wine Society Members,
With
great sadness, I must announce that we have learned from the family of
George L. Marling that he passed away on May 8, 2023. George was the
Executive Chairman of the German Wine Society for many years until 2022,
when he became Chairman Emeritus. One of the most significant and
longest-serving members of our Society, George had been active in the
GWS for more than 40 years, and previously also served as National Vice
President, as well as the Chair of our Capital Chapter from 1987-89. As
indicated by the multiple GWS medallion ribbons George is wearing in
our photo, he had earned all the levels of medallions available to
members of the Society, including the Silver as well as the Gold level
for which wine study and examination in Germany were required. George
last spoke to members in person at our 40th Anniversary reception at the
German Embassy in 2017, and also sent remarks for the 45th Anniversary
in 2022. He continued to attend events for as long as he was able, last
joining us in person for an Austrian wine luncheon with Klaus Wittauer
at Bazins in Vienna, VA in 2019. Many of our longtime members will
remember the various roles that George had in our Society over the
years, and his love of German wines and promoting knowledge of them in
the United States, as well as his service to his country and other
diverse interests. On a personal note, my wife Nina and I were pleased
to count George as one of our earliest friends in the Society and always
found his company delightful.
George is
survived by his wife Laura D. Marling, as well as several children and
grandchildren. His family is planning a remembrance Celebration of Life
service to be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11 am. The location
will be Westminster at Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Drive, Lake Ridge, VA
22192. Lake Ridge is also Woodbridge, the community where George spent
his final years. It is near Occoquan, off Route 94 South or 123.
The
family has requested, instead of flowers, that those wishing to
contribute gifts do so, in care of the address shown above, to either:
(1) the Westminster Supporting Fund, which helps residents to remain in
the Woodbridge community when their funds have been exhausted, or (2)
the Kreider Fund for Employee Education and Citizenship, which helps the
community’s employees with tuition to continue their education or pay
the citizenship fee for them to become citizens. I will be pleased to
pass on to the family any questions about these opportunities to
contribute or about the Celebration of Life service.
Carl Willner
President and Secretary, Capital Chapter, and National Vice President and Secretary
German Wine Society
May 14, 2023