Harvey Wagner died after a long illness on September 29, 2025. Harvey was 73. Harvey’s wife of 45 years, Ellen-Marie Dart, predeceased him in 2023. He is survived by his son, Forrest, and his brother, Eliot.

Harvey’s fascination with and aptitude for science was first demonstrated in the third grade, when he was able to fix his teacher’s transistor radio after the local repair shop couldn’t. Around the same time, the US started its Mercury space flight program. Harvey was drawn to it and immediately became interested in becoming an astronaut. Harvey repeatedly applied to NASA, finally giving up on the dream of becoming an astronaut after his last rejection at the age of 30.

Harvey graduated from City College of New York with a BS in Geology and from the University of Michigan with an MS in Remote Sensing. After graduation, Harvey worked on the LANSAT program, which involves the imaging of Earth by satellite. By the time Harvey retired, he was working in fiber optics engineering. Mechanical know-how and intense interest in how things worked meant he could fix just about anything.

Harvey and Ellen were avid collectors of antique radios. He often said the thrill of the hunt was as fun as adding to and repairing the collection.

Harvey was an inventive and creative musician. He started taking music lessons on an accordion when he was 9. He later taught himself guitar and then autoharp. His playing style was unusual in that he played the autoharp flat on his lap, with crossed hands, with bare fingers. The sounds he could pull from those strings were often unusual and always beautiful.

Harvey’s musical interests were diverse. His competition pieces ranged from nursery songs to the Japanese national anthem to American folk tunes to Russian composers. His arrangements and original compositions were innovative as he explored what is possible on what he called a “box with 36 strings”.

At the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering and other festivals, he welcomed newcomers and gently mentored anyone who asked. He encouraged and enjoyed sharing unique musical ideas. In the annual competitions at MLAG he was recognized as a finalist once, won third prize twice, and second prize once. He was determined to try again for the elusive first place prize but his illness got the better of him.

In 2023, he produced a CD entitled “Then and Now” thanks to the Lynda Cohen and Robert Grappel Recording Endowment. He distributed copies free to everyone at the MLAG gathering, to friends, and to the many nurses who cared for him during his 16 month hospitalization.  

The days were long and medical interventions arduous while he was hospitalized. Thoughtful cards and calls from autoharp friends all over the country lifted his spirits and helped him stay optimistic. He was very, very grateful for the kind support from the autoharp community.

Those who were privileged to know him will remember him for his quick wit, generosity, and kindness. His music and his friendship will be greatly missed.