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, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Bob from the days when we toured America and Canada with Nigel Speak and the Hutton Grammar School Chamber Choir. When we visited Watertown back in the 80s, I remember Bob allowing me to sit playing that magnificent organ for hours on end and his enthusiasm for my playing was boundless. I have never forgotten that evening and Bob’s huge encouragement. I was staying with Nigel in France last week and we spoke about you and Bob and that’s what prompted me to surf the net hunting for you for you both. I was so sorry to read that Bob passed away a couple of months ago. Please accept my sincere condolences.
David Goodenough
Helen….I am so sorry hear of Bob’s death. Please know of my prayers for you in this very painful time.
May Bob rest in peace and rise in glory!
Helen….I was so sorry hear of Bob’s death. Please know of my prayers for you in this very painful time.
May Bob rest in peace and rise in glory!
The Rev. Deacon Chris Morash
Bob’s music could bring tears to my eyes. I have no doubt that he will continue to make heavenly music and will be welcomed by those who have gone before him. We will miss him and send love and caring concern to Helen, his daughters and many faithful friends.
Helen,
I was very sad to hear that Bob had passed away. He was a wonderful man and it was an honor and priviledge to know him. He was a wonderful example of a very loving husband and it was a joy to see how much you loved and cared for each other over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
I always thought that Helen and Bob were such a perfect couple. I am so sad to hear that Bob has passed away. My sincere condolences go out to Helen – and prayers for her own health too…
Dear Helen;
We are so sorry to learn of Bob’s death. Please accept our most sincere condolences.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
I met Bob once at the lovley little church on Falmouth when Marie was here to visit and I heard him play.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Vicki Kuhl]
Helen,
I was honoured to have known Bob for the past 10 years. As a man of faith, principles and devotion he was an inspirational human being and a positive Christian role model. God bless you as you continue your journey without Bob beside you yet always with you in your memories.
Jeff Hoogendoorn
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 that the Church and Robert’s students will miss him greatly, but not more than you. Please know that I am thinking of you, and wish you peace. Sheila Grigg