Retired for 40 years, Harold Weary has made a second career of volunteerism. His first career followed his 1933 graduation from Nebraska Wesleyan, leading him first to completion of an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at time when such degrees were rare. From there he joined a Chicago-based publishing company as an auditor, then spent the next 31 years with United Airlines, retiring as the company’s manager of financial projects in 1973.

One of Weary’s favorite volunteer projects has been the Mt. Prospect, IL, Public Library, where he served as financial consultant for 39 years, and has logged over 10,000 hours, as well as serving as an original member and trustee of the library’s foundation for 10 years. He has also used his financial talents volunteering at his home congregation, Mount Prospect’s Trinity United Methodist Church, and for the Retired United Airlines Employee’s Association’s local chapter and its national organization’s audit and accounting committee.

For service to his community, Weary was honored by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Mt. Prospect with the 2007 John McNamara Award for non-Rotarians who offer time and talent to positively impact the community. At the same time, he was also named a Paul Harris Fellow, one of the highest service honors bestowed by Rotary International.

Weary’s loyalty has extended to the Nebraska Wesleyan community, as well. His financial contributions to the University have spanned 42 years, impacting the Annual Fund, the General Endowment, and the Loan Fund. Harold views his relationship to Wesleyan much like a family connection: four of his brothers, Paul ’34, Marion ’36, Melvin ‘38, and Roger ’43, attended, as did many of his cousins.

In addition to volunteerism, Weary enjoys history and genealogy. He served as director of the Mt. Prospect Historical Society for 20 years and was one of the organizers of the Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists, serving as its first president. Weary has completed his 22-chapter paternal genealogy as well as the final chapter of his maternal genealogy.

In another important milestone, Weary will celebrate his 100th birthday this month on a Caribbean cruise with his 27 immediate family members, including his 11 great-grandchildren.