Robert Luther Gauldin
1931 - 2025
He was not on the list.
Robert Luther Gauldin,
Peacefully passed, meeting his Lord and Savior on September 14, 2025,
Predeceased by his loving wife Barbara of 66 years.
Resided Rochester, New York from 1963 to the present time.
He is survived by his son Phillip (Jeanie) and three daughters Beth (Eddie), Jeanne (Mike), and Lynn (Walt).
Robert and Barbara were blessed with eleven grandchildren: Alex (Shelby), Kyle (Jessie), Tyler (Linda), Athena (Vince), Deanna (Marcus) Lila (Asad), Leo (Sarah), Phil (Mike), Bonnie, Cassandra and Genevieve.
They also had sixteen great grandchildren: Angelo, Ava, Vincent, Gianna, Amaya, RJ, Cassandra, Evan, Nora, Miqdad, Sadiqua, Cecilia, Evelyn Mae, Jesse Jr., Paige and Josiah.
Professor emeritus of music theory at Eastman School of Music, received a bachelor’s in composition from North Texas State University in 1953 and a master’s degree and doctorate in music theory from Eastman School of Music in 1955 and 1958.
Born in Vernon, Texas in 1931, he began teaching at the Eastman School of Music in 1963.
His other faculty appointments include a professorship of theory at William Carey College (1958-1963) where he was awarded an honorary doctorate of music in 1988 and a visiting professor position at Oxford University’s Worcester College.
As a composer, he received the BMI Award in 1953 and in 1964, the Berkshire String Quartet prize. His compositions include works for wind ensemble, chamber orchestra and chorus. He received a Ford Foundation Grant for the Contemporary Music Project pilot program at Eastman (1966-1968).
Robert Gauldin has published a number of articles and three textbooks as well as the presentation of numerous papers at conventions and universities throughout the United States and England. He has served as reviewer and adviser for several publshers including Yale University Press and Prentice-Hall.
He served for various boards and committees for music theory societies and served as vice president and president for the Society of Music Theory (1988-1992).
Retiring in 1997, after 34 years of service, he continued to be an active member of the music and Eastman community.
He truly enjoyed writing and arranging music pieces for church choirs where he attended and wrote an extensive amount of music for various situations.
He continued to teach and provide lectures on classical and pop music, theatrical productions, operas and ballets to the residents of Valley Manor Senior Residence where he resided from 2018.
As a father, grandfather and great grandfather, he enjoyed everything life had to offer. “Bobby, Al, Pops, Diggity,” were just a few of the nicknames he was called by his family and his sense of humor embraced it. He loved to travel, whether it was being driven in the highlands of Scotland or to Naples, New York to buy concord grapes. Cooking was one of his favorite passions and would cook up his famous Texas chili and cheesecake for Christmas or BBQ ribs for Father’s Day.
He never stopped teaching, writing lessons for Bible studies and speaking about various topics, characters and theology.
Dad loved the Lord and his family, wanting the best for all of us. He was always there to help, give advice and support any way he could. His love for the Lord, music and life itself radiated to everyone.
A Celebration of Life for Robert will be held Friday, October 17, 2025 at 12:00PM
Valley Manor
1570 East Avenue
Rochester NY 14610
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