Harry Hunter "Chief" Wendelstedt Jr. 73 of Ormond Beach FL a professional baseball icon passed away on Friday March 9 2012 at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Daytona Beach FL surrounded by his family. A Memorial Service honoring Harry and his life accomplishments will be celebrated on Tuesday March 13th at 10:00 am at the Performing Arts Center 399 N. US Highway 1 Ormond Beach.
Harry was born July 7 1938 in Baltimore Maryland to Harry and Elizabeth (Lusby) Wendelstedt. His major league umpiring career began in 1966 and spanned thirty-three years during which time he umpired in five World Series seven National League Championship Series four All-Star games and nearly 4 500 games ranking him fifth all time in number of games worked. His love of baseball and umpiring inspired him to open the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires originating in Daytona Beach and later relocating to Ormond Beach. Harry was involved in the training of more major league umpires then any individual in the history of baseball. Beyond Chief's love for baseball was his love for his family and his community. Harry served in the US Marine Corps was a Mason and was a member of the Ormond Beach Recreation Advisory Board. In addition he still found time to enjoy his passion for fishing and boating.
Harry was preceded in death by his father Harry Wendelstedt Sr. and is lovingly remembered by his mother Elizabeth Wendelstedt of Baltimore MD by his son Hunter Wendelstedt and his wife Katherine of Madisonville Louisiana/Ormond Beach by his daughter Amy Murad and her husband Greg of Gainesville FL three grandchildren Bridget Hailey Grace and Samantha two brothers Louis and Leroy and three sisters Sharon Janet and Gladys.
Memorial donations may be made in Honor of Harry to the ""Ormond Beach Friends of Recreation Inc."" and mailed to 399 North U.S 1 Ormond Beach FL. Attention: Sylvia.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.