Obituary of Eric Gordon Wiener

(Ret.) Lieutenant Colonel Eric G. Wiener (Ret.) Lieutenant Colonel Eric Wiener, 75, of Niskayuna, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY. Eric was born in Swannanoa, NC at the time of World War II, the 1st of 2 children, to the late Monroe Jerome Wiener and late Sally Clement (née Gardner). Eric’s father was serving as a soldier in the US Army. Eric was the grandson of Samuel Gardner, an American composer and violinist who won a Pulitzer prize. Eric was raised in Newport News, VA and went on to graduate from the Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ and received his BS and MS degrees from Union College, Schenectady, NY. Eric had a lifelong, enlisted, and civilian U.S. Airforce career, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Eric served as a mechanic during the Vietnam War, a pilot in Desert Storm, and provided support during the Israeli Conflict. Eric had great love of flying, was proud of being a veteran and flew the LC-130H and C-5 planes. Eric served in the Air National Guard at Stratton Airbase in Schenectady, NY. After retiring from the National Guard Eric was the Energy Program Manager for the NY state agency managing the Army and Air Guard and most recently worked at the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services. Eric was very knowledgeable and had multiple interests and skills, including engineering, computer science, and construction, balanced with a love of classical music and opera. Predeceased by his brother Scott Wiener, Eric was survived by step-mother Danelia Wiener, Orlando FL and 2 brothers: David Clement (Toyo), WA and Bruce Clement (Helen), CA; also survived by nieces and nephews: Ashleigh Ligon, Matthew Clement, Derrick Johnston, and Nathan Clement. Living in the Schenectady area Eric became like family to the late Clifford and Katherine Tidball, and like a brother and life-long friend to their children: Raymond Tidball, Linda Moore (Howard), Kathy Greene (Alan), Clare Reynolds (Joseph). Eric valued his long-term friends Ted Sobol, Jay Fuller and many others. Service and interment will be held with full Military Funeral Honors at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY on Monday, January 06, 2020 at 12:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Musicians of Ma’alwyck, 511 Mohawk Ave, Scotia, NY 12302. Eric was a retired board member for the Musicians of Ma’alwyck and a concert is dedicated in his honor, scheduled for January 12, 2020 at 7:00 PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Troy, NY.