Mark Schweizer (1) (1956–2019)

[excerpt from Petty Funeral Home online obituary]
Dr. Schweizer was an accomplished opera singer. As a bass-baritone, he performed with regional opera companies across the country, in solo recital, and in oratorio including appearing as the bass soloist with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. He enjoyed acting in regional theatre, and Tryon residents may remember him as Tevye in 2014's Fiddler on the Roof.

He was a prolific composer, a college professor, a church choir director, the author of 16 mystery novels, and a choral music publisher, founding St. James Music Press in 1992 and giving many composers their first opportunity to share their work. He founded the Red River Opera Company in central Louisiana, and he owned six chainsaws. Some of his favorite pastimes were traveling, playing tennis and pickelball, and spending time with his family at the mountain cabin he built.