Life Member. Vibraphone
5/16/1916 – 7/13/2014

By Jim Bigsby, nephew

Bob was born in Everett, WA, and grew up in Tacoma, WA, where he often had the lead role in Stadium High School’s musicals. In the summer of 1936 he drove his little Austin 1,500 miles south carrying his vibes on its back in wooden cases built by his father.

Bob quickly got a vibes gig at the Cocoanut Grove in the old Ambassador Hotel; room and food were included marking it the perfect summer experience for a student. He returned again in 1937 and, enjoying success doing what he loved, stayed on rather than returning to studies at the U of Washington in Seattle. In addition to the Grove (and, after its fire, the Beverly Hills Ambassador Hotel) he began playing private gigs at Beverly Hills parties.

Bob later studies musical theater at UCLA with lead roles in several productions and after WWII was offered a touring contract by the L.A. and S.F. light opera company. He performed throughout the USA (including Broadway) in shows such as “Song of Norway,” “Rose Marie,” “Chocolate Soldier,” “Gypsy Lady,” etc. Between shows in New Orleans he married castmate Dorothy Coulter, but they amiably went their own ways after her career blossomed into lead roles on TV, musical stage, and the Met.

Bob returned to L.A. and became a director at NBC TV Hollywood doing the Dodgers’ baseball games, Pasadena Rose Parades, a year or two of Oscar Levant shows, and many other productions. He continued to play his beloved vibes, piano, and Hammond theater organs (yes, two) for friends, family, and the sheer joy of it well into his late 90s.

Bob died July 13, 2014, in Burbank, CA, at age 98. His ashes were interred with his parents at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Gig Harbor, WA, near his home town of Tacoma.