W. Harold Welch, 1901-1992

Harold Welch devoted nearly three decades of his life to Denison High School, serving as a teacher, founder and director of the high school band, high school Principal, and finally Superintendent of Schools. He left a lasting legacy in the lives of the many students who he taught and influenced in his years as an educator.

He was hired by Denison High School for the 1925-1926 school year as a math and science teacher at a salary of $1600 per year plus a $100 bonus if he started a high school band. By March, 1926, he had convinced enough students to take up instruments that a band was formed, marching and playing in uptown Denison to earn the “Music Man” his $100 bonus! Harold introduced the school pep song, “Hail to the Varsity”, that is played to this day.

The Denison band was very successful in those early years, winning second place in the State Class B Band contest in 1930 and 1932, and winning the state championship in 1931. That band competed in the 1931 National Band Contest in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and took fifth place. This was one of Harold’s proudest moments as he got to meet famous composer and conductor John Philip Sousa who was one of the judges.

In 1933 Harold accepted the duties of High School Principal while continuing to direct the band and teach. He attended the University of Colorado during summers in the late 1930’s and received a Master of Education degree in 1939. Prof. Welch, as he was known to the students, left his teaching and band directing duties behind in 1939 to devote full time to his role as High School Principal. In 1945 Harold accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools, serving until his retirement in 1951.

He lived the rest of his life in Denison and remained active in the community in many capacities. He was a general contractor and partner in a construction firm that built well over one hundred houses in Denison, as well as apartments and commercial structures, from the early 1950’s to the late 1970’s. He served on the Denison City Council, the School Board, and as Director of the Chamber of Commerce. He was very active in the United Methodist Church all his life, serving as Lay Leader, Chairman of the Church Board and choir member. Harold was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as Master, and a 50-year member of Kiwanis, serving as President of the Denison Club and Lieutenant Governor of the Iowa-Nebraska Kiwanis District.

In 1976 Harold was honored to be asked to conduct the Denison High School Band one last time at a concert commemorating the 50th anniversary of its founding. He conducted the band in an encore of the “Activity March”, the first number the band ever played.