Below are some words and thoughts about our founder, board, staff and volunteers who are no longer with us.
Phil Aiken
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, participants, and the entire family of the Washington Metropolitan Ear, Inc. Board of Directors, together with Senior Pastor and Founder Rev. Raymond Raysor, the trustees, ministerial staff, congregation, and friends of St. Didymus Church for the Blind, we extend our deepest love, sympathy, and heartfelt condolences to Ida Aiken and the entire Aiken family as we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Phil Aiken.
Today, we do not merely mourn a loss – we honor a life beautifully lived. Phil Aiken was a man whose presence carried warmth, comfort, and sincerity. He was the kind of person who made others feel seen. In a world that often moves too fast and listens too little, Phil listened. Truly listened. He had a compassionate heart, a gentle spirit, and a generosity that flowed naturally into the lives of everyone around him.
To know Phil was to experience kindness without pretense.
Within the Metropolitan Washington Ear family, Phil was more than a supporter of our mission – he became part of the heartbeat of our community. He believed in people. He believed in service. He believed that helping others was not an obligation, but a privilege. Whenever there was a need within his reach, Phil stepped forward quietly and willingly, never seeking recognition, never asking for praise. He simply showed up.
And he showed up consistently.
Many of us will remember his hearty laugh – the kind that filled a room and somehow eased burdens, even if only for a moment. We will remember his calm conversations, his patience, his sensitivity toward others, and the dignity with which he treated every person he encountered. Phil had a gift for making people feel important. He carried humility naturally, and his spirit reflected compassion in action.
At St. Didymus Church 4 the Blind, Phil’s faith and love for ministry were expressed through music. As a guitarist for the praise band, he offered not only his talent, but also his heart. Music was one of the ways he ministered to others, helping create moments of joy, reflection, worship, and healing. His presence in the church family was deeply valued, and his absence will be profoundly felt.
There are some people whose work can be replaced, whose schedules can be rearranged, whose seats can eventually be filled.
Phil was not one of those people.
There is now a space within our circle that feels quieter. A chair that feels sacred in its
emptiness. A voice we still expect to hear. A laugh we still wait for in the background. His passing leaves a tremendous void within both the Metropolitan Washington Ear and the St. Didymus family, but it also leaves us with something enduring-the example of a life marked by goodness, faithfulness, humility, and love.
And perhaps that is the real measure of a person’s life:
not how loudly they were known,
but how deeply they were felt.
Phil was deeply felt.
To Ida, please know that your husband’s life mattered immensely to so many people. His kindness reached farther than he probably ever realized. His spirit uplifted communities. His friendship strengthened hearts. His service blessed lives. And the love shared between you was visible in the care and grace he extended to others.
As we say goodbye today, we also say thank you.
Thank you, Phil, for your compassion.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your music.
Thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for the laughter.
Thank you for the quiet goodness you carried into this world every day.
Though we grieve, we are grateful.
Though our hearts are heavy, we are blessed to have known him.
May God comfort Ida and the entire Aiken family during this difficult season. May peace
surround all who loved him. And may the memory of Phil Aiken continue to live on in every life he touched, every act of kindness inspired by his example, and every note of joy that still echoes from the music he so lovingly shared.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
You will be dearly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.
Our Founder, Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl
Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl, who became almost entirely blind due to a degenerative disease called retinitis pigmentosa, founded the Metropolitan Washington Ear in 1974.
Margaret was on the cutting edge of the information access movement almost as long as the movement has existed. After earning her Ed.D. degree in 1971, she learned of a radio reading service for the visually impaired in St. Paul, Minnesota and decided that D.C. needed something similar.
Starting from scratch, she devoted herself to translating that idea into a reality. She garnered support and funding from governments around the Washington, D.C. region and negotiated with WETA, the local public radio station, for the use of its sub-channel. She raised over $100,000 in operating funds for the first year and recruited and trained volunteers. Her efforts resulted in the establishment of the Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., a nonprofit organization and radio reading and information service focused on improving and enriching the lives of individuals who are blind, have low vision, or have physical disabilities by enabling them to be well-informed, fully productive members of their families, their communities and the working world.
In the late 1970’s, she was one of the founding members of the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS), the leading member organization for radio reading services.
In 1981, Margaret and her late husband Cody were recruited by Wayne White at Arena Stage to use their expertise to develop a system for live commentary and narration techniques for theatrical productions. And in response, they developed the unique art and technique of Audio Description. The Arena Stage’s production of “Major Barbara” was the first play in D.C. to be audio described. After their success at Arena Stage, Margaret and Cody became tireless advocates for making theater, television, film, museums, and exhibits accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. They traveled the United States and abroad to train others in the technique of Audio Description. They developed descriptions for museums and exhibits, including Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty, and films, such as the local IMAX favorites “To Fly” and “The Blue Planet” at the Air and Space Museum.
In 1982, Margaret and Cody teamed up with the producers of the “American Playhouse” series to create a separate soundtrack that was broadcast on radio reading services around the country in sync with televised plays. In 1986, Dr. Barry Cronin at WGBH’s TV in Boston launched Descriptive Video Services (DVS) and for the next few years Margaret and Cody worked closely with WGBH to train narrators and write descriptions for television programs. Today a corps of dedicated Washington Ear volunteers, trained by Margaret, Cody and Bill Patterson of Audio Description Solutions, continues to provide Audio Description at performances in many of the major live theaters in the Metropolitan area.
In 1991 Margaret took another innovative step and launched a Dial-In newspaper service that was one of the first in the country. In 2000, her support of access for individuals with disabilities and testimony before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) were in large part responsible for its decision to require broadcasters to adopt technology to provide video description via a secondary audio programming channel.
Dr. Pfanstiehl was much recognized for her work. In 1982, she was honored as a Washingtonian of the Year. In 1990, she was awarded the prestigious Emmy award for her leadership in the field of accessible television for viewers who are blind or have low vision. In 2003, she received the C. Stanley Potter Award from the IAAIS. This award is named for the father of radio reading. It recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to the Audio Information industry. It is an award that she cherishes. And in 2009, she received the Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award at the Kennedy Center for her lifetime commitment and enduring advocacy on behalf of audio description and other forms of information access for the visually impaired community.
Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl will be remembered for pioneering the fight to make information access a normal part of everyday life for the visually impaired community. She always had an acute awareness of what could and should be done to make information access, in its various forms, a normal part of everyday life for the visually impaired community. And under her continuing leadership, The Metropolitan Washington Ear became a broad-based, meaningful, exemplary service provider for listeners and callers.
In Memory of Freddie L. Peaco
Metropolitan Washington Ear mourns the loss of our Board President Emerita Freddie L. Peaco Metropolitan Washington Ear is sad to share that our beloved longtime Board member and President Emerita Freddie L. Peaco has died. Throughout her life and work, Freddie sought, as she described, to dispel the “myths and stereotypes associated with race and disability.” Her kindness coupled with her intelligence made her a wonderful leader and inspiration to all who knew her. Freddie came to Washington, D.C. in 1961 to attend Howard University for her bachelor’s degree and then American University for a master’s degree.
Freddie worked for the Library of Congress, National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) for 42 years. While at the library, she held several positions, primarily in the reference section. She also served on the Board of the Metropolitan Washington Ear from its founding until her move to California in the fall of 2022 some 49 years later. She was a member and elder of Northeastern Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Freddie was also a well-known figure throughout the metropolitan Washington area. She was a fixture at budget hearings, informational meetings, and public sessions, always advocating and empowering blind residents of the District of Columbia. Freddie focused on equity of access and opportunity for both the African American community and the blind community.
She advocated for accessibility as she explained for “all Black Americans and the opportunity for those with vision loss to learn, make choices, and interpret facts.” Changing the treatment and perceptions of people with disabilities, Freddie was an early activist in the Disability Rights movement. The loss of Freddie extends to the greater community because Freddie related to everyone who was lucky enough to meet her.
We at the Metropolitan Washington Ear mourn her loss and are grateful for the profound impact she had on our listeners, Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, staff, and the metropolitan Washington community. Services were at the Northeastern Presbyterian Church at 2112 Varnum Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018 on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10 am followed by burial at Rock Creek Cemetery at 12:15 pm.
James W. Peaco, Jr.
November 1, 1943 – August 4, 2016
The Metropolitan Washington Ear Board of Directors Member 2007-2016
The MWE Board of Directors and staff extend our most heartfelt sympathy to our President Freddie L. Peaco and her family on the loss of her husband James W. Peaco, Jr. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Peaco peacefully departed this life on August 4th after a battle with cancer. He retired in 1997 after a distinguished career as a Judge Advocate (military lawyer) and an attorney for the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA. He also served as an Elder of the Northeastern Presbyterian Church and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Mr. Peaco’s dedicated service and wise counsel were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Brother Hilary Mettes, S.T.
December 12, 1923 – March 4, 2017 Metropolitan Washington Ear Board of Directors and staff are sad to report that Brother Hilary Mettes, S.T. [Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity], died on March 4, 2017. Brother Hilary was MWE Chairman of the Board since the founding of MWE in 1973. He was dedicated to our mission, providing quiet leadership and wise counsel for over 43 years. Brother Hilary served in his Order for over 63 years, including 33 years in the headquarters of Missionary Servants where he was Secretary General for 26 years. He also served as Director of Communications for the Mission Secretariat, working with the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He served on several Boards, was a faithful volunteer for many years at So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.), a soup kitchen in Washington, DC, and worked on his congregation’s archives every day. He dedicated his life to serving others. We will greatly miss his quick wit and his ready jokes. But most of all we will miss his goodness, his caring, and his inspiration. He made each of us a better person, and he inspired us to ensure that the Metropolitan Washington Ear always stays true to its mission.
Ed Walker
Ed Walker, WAMU personality who burnished radio’s golden age, dies at 83
Ed Walker, host of the Sunday night WAMU-FM vintage radio drama show, “The Big Broadcast,” exchange notes with Tobey Schreiner in 2009. (Marcus Yam/The Washington Post)
By Paul Farhi October 26
Ed Walker, who amused and entertained a generation of Washington-area listeners as half of “The Joy Boys” radio team with Willard Scott and spent 65 years on the local airwaves as a deejay, news host and genial raconteur, died Oct. 26 at a retirement community in Rockville, just hours after his final broadcast. He was 83.
Mr. Walker had been undergoing treatment for cancer, said his daughter, Susan Scola.
A lifelong radio connoisseur, Mr. Walker became one of its most skillful practitioners over his long career. For the past quarter century, he hosted a popular weekly radio-nostalgia program, “The Big Broadcast,” on public radio station WAMU-FM (88.5). Each week, he invited listeners to “settle back, relax and enjoy,” as he discussed and introduced replays of such golden-age programs as “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar,” “Dragnet” and “Gunsmoke.”
He recorded his last “Big Broadcast” on Oct. 13 from a hospital bed while being treated at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington. Mr. Walker listened to the final broadcast Sunday night on WAMU, surrounded by his family, a few hours before his death, according to the station.
Born blind, Mr. Walker grew up with radio as his constant companion from an early age. By age 8, he was operating a low-power radio transmitter in his family’s basement, beaming music to his neighbors’ houses down the block. He would go on to spend almost all of his adult life involved in the medium in some way, all of it on stations in Washington.
Bob Gallagher
On Thursday, November 3, 2022, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of Ann Jelen. Brother of Philip Gallagher (Ann Neale). Loving step-father of Cathy Boney, Christine Jelen (Jack), William Jelen (Michelle) Tom Jelen (Kate) and Joe Jelen (Garry). Grand “Bob” of thirteen grandchildren — Amanda, Sarah, Michael, Kathleen, Patrick, Brian, Clara, Victor, Valerie, Satch, Delaney, Avery, and Finn. Also survived by loving nieces Marianne Reiff, Cathy Jaffe, Beth Gallagher and Helen Percy and nephews Joe Reiff, Phil Reiff, Paul Gallagher and Kevin Gallagher.
Robert was born in Wilkes Barre, PA on August 30, 1939. He graduated from Meyers High School, Class of 57. He graduated from King’s College in Wilkes Barre with a BA in English in 1961. He earned two Masters Degrees, one in English, and later in Theater, at Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont.
In 1961, he began teaching English and Drama in Montgomery County Public Schools: Sligo Middle School, Einstein High School and Whitman High School. He directed 25 high school stage productions until he retired in 1986. His work in the classroom inspired many students. Directing plays gave him another way of forming a bond with his students. He maintained contact with many former students. He truly touched the future!
He was employed from 1991 to 2002 at Discovery Communications and Discovery Channel where he coordinated the Education Support Services by scheduling, both nationally and internationally, facilitators for workshops and presentations on using video, especially Discovery Channel cable products, in the classroom.
He enjoyed choral singing for many years with the Paul Hill Chorale and the Circle Singers. As a volunteer at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, he read the Washington Post weekly for over 35 years as a radio news reader for the visually impaired. He also volunteered as a live describer at local theaters. He volunteered for years at the Homeless Mission at the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Though he received awards for his years of service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew and at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, he was most pleased by his induction into the Einstein Arts Hall of Fame in 2017.
Funeral Mass at Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington DC, Saturday November 19 at 9:30 a.m. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1594 South Main Street in Wilkes Barre, PA, November 21 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Homeless Mission at the Cathedral of St. Matthew, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036 or to the Metropolitan Washington Ear, 12061 Tech Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904.