On Sunday, December 1, 2019, Dr. Robert C. Rich, jr passed away peacefully at the age of 82 surrounded by loving family.
Dr. Rich was born 31 May, 1937 in Pensacola, FL to Robert and Ernestine (Bailey) Rich. He is a distinguished alumni of Stetson University and went on to receive a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a DMA in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music. He taught voice and choral conducting first at Mars Hill College and later at Stetson from 1972 until retirement in 2002. Dr. Rich was also choirmaster at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand, FL for a period spanning more than forty years. He spearheaded the installation of the church’s tracker organ by Visser-Rowland organbuilders in 1982.
Dr. Rich excelled at choral conducting, holding the position Director of Choral Activities at Stetson University a post created for him. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw of the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Chorus. His Mars Hill choir was one of only five selected to sing at the founding of the American Choral Director’s Association in 1959. Throughout his career he tirelessly mentored and influenced hundreds of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in singing, conducting, and performing nationally and internationally. Dr. Rich sang professionally, notably with the Atlanta Symphony and with the Aspen Music Festival on numerous occasions. His passionate musical legacy lives on in the hearts of many.
Dr. Rich was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his brother Larry, and his mother Ernestine. He is survived by his wife, Mollie, his brother, Roy, and his sons Jeffrey and Christopher.
Dr. Rich was born 31 May, 1937 in Pensacola, FL to Robert and Ernestine (Bailey) Rich. He is a distinguished alumni of Stetson University and went on to receive a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a DMA in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music. He taught voice and choral conducting first at Mars Hill College and later at Stetson from 1972 until retirement in 2002. Dr. Rich was also choirmaster at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand, FL for a period spanning more than forty years. He spearheaded the installation of the church’s tracker organ by Visser-Rowland organbuilders in 1982.
Dr. Rich excelled at choral conducting, holding the position Director of Choral Activities at Stetson University a post created for him. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw of the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Chorus. His Mars Hill choir was one of only five selected to sing at the founding of the American Choral Director’s Association in 1959. Throughout his career he tirelessly mentored and influenced hundreds of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in singing, conducting, and performing nationally and internationally. Dr. Rich sang professionally, notably with the Atlanta Symphony and with the Aspen Music Festival on numerous occasions. His passionate musical legacy lives on in the hearts of many.
Dr. Rich was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his brother Larry, and his mother Ernestine. He is survived by his wife, Mollie, his brother, Roy, and his sons Jeffrey and Christopher.
On Sunday, December 1, 2019, Dr. Robert C. Rich, jr passed away peacefully at the age of 82 surrounded by loving family.
Dr. Rich was born 31 May, 1937 in Pensacola, FL to Robert and Ernestine (Bailey) Rich. He is a distinguished alumni of Stetson University and went on to receive a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a DMA in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music. He taught voice and choral conducting first at Mars Hill College and later at Stetson from 1972 until retirement in 2002. Dr. Rich was also choirmaster at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand, FL for a period spanning more than forty years. He spearheaded the installation of the church’s tracker organ by Visser-Rowland organbuilders in 1982.
Dr. Rich excelled at choral conducting, holding the position Director of Choral Activities at Stetson University a post created for him. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw of the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Chorus. His Mars Hill choir was one of only five selected to sing at the founding of the American Choral Director’s Association in 1959. Throughout his career he tirelessly mentored and influenced hundreds of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in singing, conducting, and performing nationally and internationally. Dr. Rich sang professionally, notably with the Atlanta Symphony and with the Aspen Music Festival on numerous occasions. His passionate musical legacy lives on in the hearts of many.
Dr. Rich was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his brother Larry, and his mother Ernestine. He is survived by his wife, Mollie, his brother, Roy, and his sons Jeffrey and Christopher.
Dr. Rich was born 31 May, 1937 in Pensacola, FL to Robert and Ernestine (Bailey) Rich. He is a distinguished alumni of Stetson University and went on to receive a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a DMA in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music. He taught voice and choral conducting first at Mars Hill College and later at Stetson from 1972 until retirement in 2002. Dr. Rich was also choirmaster at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand, FL for a period spanning more than forty years. He spearheaded the installation of the church’s tracker organ by Visser-Rowland organbuilders in 1982.
Dr. Rich excelled at choral conducting, holding the position Director of Choral Activities at Stetson University a post created for him. He studied conducting with Robert Shaw of the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Chorus. His Mars Hill choir was one of only five selected to sing at the founding of the American Choral Director’s Association in 1959. Throughout his career he tirelessly mentored and influenced hundreds of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in singing, conducting, and performing nationally and internationally. Dr. Rich sang professionally, notably with the Atlanta Symphony and with the Aspen Music Festival on numerous occasions. His passionate musical legacy lives on in the hearts of many.
Dr. Rich was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his brother Larry, and his mother Ernestine. He is survived by his wife, Mollie, his brother, Roy, and his sons Jeffrey and Christopher.
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