Dr. Robert Whitcomb

MARSHALL — Services for Dr. Robert Whitcomb, 96, of Marshall, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial and military rites will follow the service at the Marshall City Cemetery.

Robert died Thursday, April 19, 2018, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall.

Robert Butler Whitcomb was born at home on Dec. 7, 1921, in Scipio, IN, to Clifford and Marguerite (Butler) Whitcomb. He was baptized as an infant at Scipio First Presbyterian Church. When Robert was six years old, the family suffered the fate of many in the Great Depression and lost their home and business. They borrowed a truck and moved to Cincinnati, OH. Robert graduated from Western Hills High School in 1939. He received a scholarship to study music at the College of Music in Cincinnati. On Robert’s 20th birthday during his third year of study, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Eventually, Robert was drafted and became a Navigator on a B17 Bomber which was shot down on his 20th mission. Robert was one of two survivors of a crew of 11. He was captured and held prisoner in several locations, most of the time spent at Stalag IIIA Luckenwalde Prison Camp near Berlin. After his liberation, he returned to the States and finish his degree in music. After one year of teaching at Culver Military Academy, he returned to the College of Music to obtain a master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy. Robert then taught at the University of Wyoming, and New Mexico A & M in Las Cruces, where he met Lois. On Aug. 22, 1953, he was united in marriage to Lois Jean White at the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO. The couple moved to Brookings, SD, where Robert taught music at South Dakota State University. In 1957, he received a scholarship from the General Electric Educational and Charitable Fund to study for his doctorate at the Eastman School of Music at Rochester, NY. In 1959, he was awarded the doctorate and the family (now 4) moved back to Brookings for Robert to resume his teaching career.

In 1963, the family (now 5) moved to Bellingham, WA, where he was Professor of Music at Western Washington State University. In 1968, he was invited to teach at a new school in Marshall, MN, Southwest Minnesota State University, where he taught until his retirement in 1987.

Throughout his career, Robert endeavored to give a piano recital each year and to compose a new piano piece to be performed as part of the recital. He said these activities were mainly as inspiration for his students, but also to keep his mind clear and creative!

Robert composed music for orchestra, band, chorus, chamber ensembles, various orchestral instruments, voice and keyboard. His compositions have been performed at Town Hall in New York City, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and at many venues in the Twin Cities, Minnesota and elsewhere. His compositions have been published by Associated Music Publishers, Elkan-Vogal, Interlochen Press and World Library of Music. Robert studied music with Felix Labunski, Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson. Robert retired from teaching in 1987, but continued to compose music into his 90s.

Bob was a loving and faithful husband to his wife, Lois. He was a beloved father to three children and grandfather to two. He was always active in the Presbyterian Church, having been organist in Las Cruces, NM, and Brookings, S.D. He sang in the choir in Marshall and served on the Board of Ruling Elders. He served as Chairman on the committee to acquire the new 11 rank pipe organ and the new grand piano.

Bob loved to play bridge and chess and do crossword puzzles. Following his retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling nationally and internationally. He also looked forward to his reunions with the 305th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Corp. He also enjoyed many cross country camping trips with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Lois, of Marshall; son, David Keith (and Jan) Whitcomb of Spokane, WA, grandchildren Amelia (and Kevin) Louden and Owen Whitcomb; son, Stephen Kent (and Arlene) Whitcomb of Larkspur, CA; son, Thomas Grant Whitcomb of Golden Valley, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hiram and his infant son.

Memorials preferred to Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, or Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.

Arrangements with

Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Directors

Marshall, Minnesota

507-532-4522

www.rehkamp-horvath.com