Robert H. Drummond

Robert H. Drummond, Emeritus Professor of Music Theory at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at Amherst Hospital after complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.

Born in Kawkawlin, Mich., he came to Oberlin Conservatory of Music as a piano major when he was 17 years old. He graduated as an organ major in 1950 after having served in the Army in W.W.II as a Chaplain's Assistant in Germany.

He interrupted his graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music when his reserve unit was called, and he then served in Korea directing a soldier show. He completed a Masters degree in music and also a Bachelors Degree in German at Oberlin, and also completed a Masters Degree in German at the Middlebury Summer School of Languages.

He taught music theory at the Conservatory for 39 years, retiring in 1993. He served as Associate Dean of the Conservatory for many of those years. In his earlier years he taught German at the summer school at Middlebury, was Camp Director at Camp Horizon, a summer day camp for the mentally challenged youth in Lorain County, and advised conservatory students involved in a Music Therapy program for these campers.

In 1954 Bob married Marion (nee Gallup) whom he had met as a student at Oberlin. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years; sons Paul of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Steve (Marge) of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter, Jean Watson (Al) of Dover, Ohio; grandson Alex Watson; brother, Tom (Nancy) of Kawkawlin, Mich.; sister-in-law, Celeste (Ted) Gallup of Gibsonia, Pa.; a niece and many nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Edith Drummond; brother Fred (Ruth); and sister, Lila Mae Criswell (Don).

The family is grateful for the loving care he received at Golden Acres in Amherst, as well as Wesleyan Village in Elyria. A memorial service will be held at the First Church in Oberlin Feb. 20, and burial will be at Westwood Cemetery.

Cowling Funeral Home is handling local arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to First Church in Oberlin, UCC.