Frank Wendland Beezhold, a retired NIU music professor, died Wednesday at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb.

Beezhold was 72 years old.

Oscar Haugland, Beezhold’s colleague and friend, described him as “a wonderful, warm human being,” saying that Beezhold was also “very interested in his students’ growth, development and future.”

“He was a sumpreme musician and wonderful performer,” Haugland said.

Beezhold, who taught music theory at NIU for more than 27 years, served as co-concertmaster of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and concertmaster of the Fine Arts Orchestra.

Beezhold is survived by his wife, Carol, eight children, two stepchildren and ten grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore.