He earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in economics at Harvard. It was there he met his wife, Rachel Melinger, whom he married in 1954 on her family farm in Springfield.
A professor and author, Mr. Schlesinger also was instrumental in building a concert hall in memory of his late wife, who was an accomplished violinist. Throughout his life, he supported hundreds of charities including many birding organizations, as he was an avid birder. Friends and colleagues also endowed chairs in his name at Georgetown and Harvard.
Schlesinger, survived by eight children and 11 grandchildren, will be interred next to his wife at Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield.
Visitation is 6 to 9 p.m. April 4, at Littleton & Rue Funeral Home, 830 N. Limestone St., Springfield. The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1801 St. Paris Pike, Springfield.
A memorial service will be 4 p.m. April 26 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, Va.
About the Author