Albert "Christian" Elser III

Albert “Christian” Elser III, 53, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away Saturday, July 20th, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. He was born June 2nd, 1971, in Illinois to Albert Christian Elser II and Kimberley Ann (Marriner) Elser. 

Christian was kind, intelligent, and a wonderful teacher and artist. He was also a dear brother and son, an adored uncle to his nieces, and loved by innumerable friends. 

A lover of education and the arts, Christian graduated high school from the University School of Milwaukee with his bachelor's from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), his master's from Northwestern University, and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. He began his varied musical arts career as a singer, performing around the country. Then, he continued his career conducting, music directing, and teaching voice at multiple professional arts organizations, churches, and universities. 

He was co-founder and Executive Director of GLOW Lyric Theater in Greenville, South Carolina, for over a decade, inspiring arts support in the community and employing hundreds of artists that lead them to varied successful careers. Not only did he light up stages across the country, but more importantly, he lit our hearts with perpetual joy and love.

Christian’s surviving family includes his mother, Kimberley (Marriner)Elser; his father, Albert Christian Elser II, and his wife, Storm (Garrison) Elser; his brother, John Elser, and his wife, Elissa (Strzelczyk) Elser; two nieces, Madeleine (Maddy) and Colette (Coco); his partner, Krista Ramirez; and countless friends and loved ones who cared for him deeply.

A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, at Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1135 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609. A live stream and recording link will be provided at a later date. 

A memorial service will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on a date to be announced. 

Memorial contributions can be made out to The Christian Elser Fund, Music Theater Works, https://www.musictheaterworks.com/donation-form/ 

The closest airport to Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP). The next closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport.