The event was held Sunday evening, October 6, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Canton, Ohio. There were four history tables laid out in the back of the sanctuary with pictures, newspaper articles, bulletins, recital programs and other memorabilia from Bob's long life and career.
-The party began with a prelude of the carillon playing rolls that Bob himself recorded decades ago. These rolls are like player piano rolls that allow the carillon to play itself, and they will stay with the church forever so that Bob can still be heard playing out over the city of Canton for generations to come.
-Don Ackerman, the pastor at Crossroads, talked about taking organ lessons with Bob and wowed the crowd with his spot-on Bob impression.
-Heather Cooper, local Canton Symphony and Christ Presbyterian superstar, and Dean of the Canton chapter of the American Guild of Organists, spoke about the history of the Canton AGO and the role Bob has played in it since he was a founding member in 1954. Then she played the Cortege and Litanie by the great 20th-century organist and composer Marcel Dupre, who Bob studied with in France in the summer of 1953, on the Aeolian-Skinner/Kegg organ. The piece began with a haunting use of chimes and ended with full organ and trumpets.
-Dr Dan Church, longtime Church of the Savior member and choir member under Bob's direction, spoke about Bob's history at the church, the habits and history of the choirs Bob directed, as well as Bob's temperament, good humor and professionalism.
-Mark Thewes, the second-most stalwart organist in Stark County (after Bob) spoke about his 48-year friendship with Bob, and then played two pieces on the Aeolian-Skinner/Kegg organ. The first was Tribute by the modern composer and organist Craig Phillips (as a tribute to Bob), and the second was Mark's own arrangement of God of Our Fathers, a favorite of Bob's.
-Father RJ from St Mark's Episcopal church, who is Bob's current clergy colleague, spoke with great emotion and eloquence about Bob's role in the church and the relationship the two of them have.
-Beth Polen, Director of Music Ministries at Crossroads, directed a community choir made up of members from Crossroads, St Mark's, Christ Presbyterian and former friends, colleagues and choir members who have known Bob for decades. They sang the anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Gilbert Martin. Gilbert Martin, like Bob, was also a Westminster Choir College graduate. This is a classic of the church choral repertoire, and Bob has conducted it many times over his decades as a choir director. Beth Polen conducted the anthem from Bob's score, which is still on file at Crossroads.
-Bob at 99, a video compiling clips, pictures and audio, was shown to Bob and everyone. The video included greetings from his son and other family members, former organist at Christ Presbyterian David Kienzle (now in the Netherlands) and Richard Ruggiero (from upstate New York). That video can be seen here.
-Bob finally got to speak himself, and he spoke about the process of buying a ring for his wife Kathleen, having lunch at the Canton Club many decades ago (a favorite subject of his), and his life and memories of the decades he spent as the Minister of Music at First Methodist Church/Church of the Savior.
-The gathered assembly sang happy birthday to Bob, and then cake and cupcakes were had.
Pics and vids from the event are being shared on Facebook. If you have your own pics or vids, please share them there!
-The party began with a prelude of the carillon playing rolls that Bob himself recorded decades ago. These rolls are like player piano rolls that allow the carillon to play itself, and they will stay with the church forever so that Bob can still be heard playing out over the city of Canton for generations to come.
-Don Ackerman, the pastor at Crossroads, talked about taking organ lessons with Bob and wowed the crowd with his spot-on Bob impression.
-Heather Cooper, local Canton Symphony and Christ Presbyterian superstar, and Dean of the Canton chapter of the American Guild of Organists, spoke about the history of the Canton AGO and the role Bob has played in it since he was a founding member in 1954. Then she played the Cortege and Litanie by the great 20th-century organist and composer Marcel Dupre, who Bob studied with in France in the summer of 1953, on the Aeolian-Skinner/Kegg organ. The piece began with a haunting use of chimes and ended with full organ and trumpets.
-Dr Dan Church, longtime Church of the Savior member and choir member under Bob's direction, spoke about Bob's history at the church, the habits and history of the choirs Bob directed, as well as Bob's temperament, good humor and professionalism.
-Mark Thewes, the second-most stalwart organist in Stark County (after Bob) spoke about his 48-year friendship with Bob, and then played two pieces on the Aeolian-Skinner/Kegg organ. The first was Tribute by the modern composer and organist Craig Phillips (as a tribute to Bob), and the second was Mark's own arrangement of God of Our Fathers, a favorite of Bob's.
-Father RJ from St Mark's Episcopal church, who is Bob's current clergy colleague, spoke with great emotion and eloquence about Bob's role in the church and the relationship the two of them have.
-Beth Polen, Director of Music Ministries at Crossroads, directed a community choir made up of members from Crossroads, St Mark's, Christ Presbyterian and former friends, colleagues and choir members who have known Bob for decades. They sang the anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Gilbert Martin. Gilbert Martin, like Bob, was also a Westminster Choir College graduate. This is a classic of the church choral repertoire, and Bob has conducted it many times over his decades as a choir director. Beth Polen conducted the anthem from Bob's score, which is still on file at Crossroads.
-Bob at 99, a video compiling clips, pictures and audio, was shown to Bob and everyone. The video included greetings from his son and other family members, former organist at Christ Presbyterian David Kienzle (now in the Netherlands) and Richard Ruggiero (from upstate New York). That video can be seen here.
-Bob finally got to speak himself, and he spoke about the process of buying a ring for his wife Kathleen, having lunch at the Canton Club many decades ago (a favorite subject of his), and his life and memories of the decades he spent as the Minister of Music at First Methodist Church/Church of the Savior.
-The gathered assembly sang happy birthday to Bob, and then cake and cupcakes were had.
Pics and vids from the event are being shared on Facebook. If you have your own pics or vids, please share them there!