Harold Kistler, 70, performer who entertained diners

Harold Kistler, 70, of Media, a piano player and singer who entertained diners in local restaurants for more than 30 years, died Friday, Jan. 13, at Riddle Memorial Hospital of complications from diabetes.

As Hal McKay, Mr. Kistler played at the Ship Inn in Malvern, the Brownstone Inn in Glen Mills, and Mendenhall Inn in Chadds Ford, among other venues. For many years, he also gave piano lessons to adults. "He did the job he loved for his entire life," his wife, Ann Morrow Kistler, said.

Before going solo in the early 1980s, Mr. Kistler performed with singer Andy Clark for eight years at the Holiday Inn in Media. As the musician in the "Hal and Andy" duo, he played an acoustic piano, three electric pianos, an organ, and a synthesizer. Wherever he played, he often had multiple keyboards, his wife said.

Growing up in Lackawanna County, Mr. Kistler played the tuba in his high school marching band. He earned a bachelor's degree in commerce and finance from what was then Wilkes College in 1963 and a bachelor's degree with a major in arranging and composing from Berklee College of Music in 1967. He earned a master's degree in education in 1971 from West Chester State College.

While in school, he played acoustic bass with bands on weekends. He decided to switch to piano, his wife said, because whenever a keyboardist left, the bands fell apart.

Mr. Kistler taught in the William Penn School District and played piano at night long enough to realize he could earn a living as a full-time entertainer, his wife said.

When he was performing at the Holiday Inn in 1975, Mr. Kistler told The Inquirer he had grown to know the regulars by name and their musical preferences. "You can't be phony up here or the audience will tear you apart."

In 1992, when he was entertaining both lunch and dinner crowds at the Ship Inn, he told The Inquirer: "It's hard on my voice, but I've learned the proper breathing to get me through the day. Plus, I've been blessed with an iron voice."

Mr. Kistler, who had been a diabetic since his early 20s, retired from performing in 2004 but continued to teach until just before Christmas, his wife said.

The couple met at the Holiday Inn in Media, when he was with Hal and Andy. They married in 1974.

He loved animals and was always caring for stray cats and dogs, she said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Kistler is survived by a daughter, Ashley; and a brother.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Rd., Media.

Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, 225 City Ave., Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004 or to Forgotten Cats Inc., Suite 422, 4023 Kennett Pike, Greenville, De. 19807.