PLETSCH, Robert Henry was born November 19, 1932, at home in his parent’s farmhouse in Bruce County, Ontario, and died at home, April 22, 2009 in Victoria BC.
He started piano lessons at age 12, and in high school added trumpet to his musical activities. He played in the Walkerton, Ontario city band for several years. He also hitch-hiked to Toronto every two weeks to study pipe organ with Charles Peaker, a well-known organ performer and teacher of the time.
His first organ position was at Streetsville United Church near Toronto. In 1959, he left Canada for Oberline, Ohio, to start on a Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he stayed for 2 years. When he no longer could afford to continue there, he attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Il., and finished his Bachelor degree at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he also received his Master of Arts degree, majoring in church music.
During his university years he married and had 2 daughters by his first wife. His second marriage was to Helen Heeb, who was a voice teacher at Valparaiso University. The left Valparaiso in 1971 to go to Elmira, NY, where Mr. Pletsch became a school music teacher, and taught piano lessons. He also became organist/choirmaster for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where his dear friend, the Reverend Delbert Resmer, (who had married him and Mrs. Pletsch in 1970) was the pastor.
They moved to Watertown, NY in 1978, where Mr. Pletsch became the organ/choirmaster for Trinity Episcopal Church. He also taught piano, and pipe organ.
In 1987, he and Mrs. Pletsch moved to Victoria, BC for him to accept the position of organist/choirmaster at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. He stayed at St. Barnabas for 7 years, after which he became the organist/choirmaster at St. John the Evangelist Anglican-Catholic Church a position he held until his death. He also taught music theory and sightsinging at Victoria Conservatory of Music and again taught piano and organ privately.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Helen; two daughters, Nicole Sanders (Joe) of Minnesota and Noelle Fust of Minnesota; a brother, Donald in Ontario; a sister, Marie in California; 3 grandchildren, Bethany, David and Victoria, and several nieces and nephews.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist (Anglican-Catholic Church), 990 Falmouth Rd.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church in memory of Robert Pletsch.
22 Responses
Dear Helen, How sad I was to read of Robert’s death. You and Robert were such a joyful part of my job at the music store. I know the Church and all his students will miss him in their lives, but you the most. Please know that I am thinking about you, and wish you the best. Sheila Grigg, formerly of the music store.
My Dear Helen,
I am so sad for you my dear. Wish I could be there with you. Know that Rod and I send our thoughts and prayers to you dear. Also know that we send our love to you.
Rod and Nora Brunner
Dear Helen,
It is with real regret that I type this message. Dave, I, and our children enjoyed being with you and Bob for so many wonderful
fun-loving times. We all have wonderful memories that we will hold dear in the years to come. Bob and Dave can sing and tell jokes together now in Heaven. You take care and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Donna
Well will miss Bob and his wonderful smile , the stories about his life and love of music. He was a tremendous person who touched all of us during his stays with us!! He will be missed dearly!
Dear Helen,
So sorry to hear that Robert died. He was a wonderful,warm man with such a deep knowledge and love of church music. It was a joy to listen to him. He was always so proud of you and so encouraging to your students.
With sympathy from
Katharine Ellis
Helen,
I am sorry to hear that Bob passed away. I was planning on dropping by sometime in early May when I come home from school in Toronto. Now, with my regrets, I will not be able to say my last good-byes.
Bob was a great piano teacher who put a lot of passion and enthusiasm into music. He was always very supportive and patient with his students. Everytime I saw him, he had a smile on his face like nothing could bring him down. I will miss him a lot!!
With deepest sympathy,
Priscilla
“Aunt” Helen and Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. I have fond memories of “Uncle” Bob and his wonderful smelling pipe tobacco. His talent has made a great impact on so many people and I consider myself very fortunate to be one of those. He will be missed! Although I can’t open a hymnal or sing around a campfire without thinking of him! Ya’ll are in my prayers. With deepest Sympathy, Duane
Helen and family,
we are so deeply sorry about your loss.
Our thoughts are with you,
Love Paul & Zuzana
Helen and family,
How saddened I was to hear of Bob’s death yesterday. I have such fond and happy memories of him and the time we all spent together at Trinity. He was the consummate church musician, fabulous host(loved those after choir nights at your house) and dear friend to all of us. I think of both you often. My heart goes out to you as do my prayers.
With love,
Alice Jean
My children (Matt and Becky, who were toddlers with Nicole and Noelle back in the early 70s) and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family. He and my husband were musicians in college, and we all spent time together during those years in Valpo. You might say that we were all young together, and even though we’re now separated by time and space, it’s hard to say good-bye. Bob, we’ll miss you.
With sympathy,
Pat, Matt, and Becky