8/7/1947 to 6/7/2017
Holley/Indianapolis: Donald V. Robb passed away on June 7, 2017, at the age of 69, due to Early Onset Alzheimer’s. He was the son of Donald H. and Virginia F. Robb and was survived by his mother; sisters Priscilla (Craig) McAllister and Barbara (Donald) Phillips; daughters Donna Robb and Jennifer (Christopher) Holmberg; wife Christy Robb; step-daughters Sally Davidson and Nancy Blanchard; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Don, a gifted music educator, realized his love and natural ability for music while at Holley High School, participating in chorus and band. Ray Shahin, band director, was a guiding influence for him as mentor, role model and friend. Don went on to graduate from SUNY Fredonia and Mansfield University, PA. He began his teaching career in New York State, and after relocating to Indiana, taught choral and instrumental music in public schools until his retirement in 2011. Additionally, he was the Founder of the Jordan Jazz vocal ensemble at Butler University, was an avid church musician and an adjudicator of vocal competitions.
Some highlights of Don’s teaching career were being asked to provide a group of his Arlington High School students to sing backup for Lou Gramm & Foreigner at Market Square Arena Indianapolis in 1985, being invited by the Russian Theatre Foundation to take his Arlington High School Chamber Singers to Russia for a performance tour in 1993, and being named the Indiana State High School Music Educator of the Year in 1995 by the Indiana Music Educators’ Association.
Folks at Arlington used to say, “Drop in on the Music Department because we know you’ll see something good happening, and right in the middle of it will be Don Robb”.
These are just a few of the many tributes to Don from his students, illustrating the positive influence he had on their lives both musically and personally:
“He gave his heart and passion to a group of inner-city kids and opened us to a world some of us never knew we would be a part of. He took us across the world to several different countries, threw us into recording studios, took us to 1st place State Final winners, and most of all believed in us no matter what. One of the best music teachers in THE WORLD!”
“So grateful for Donald Robb instilling in this little black girl from the hood that classical music was for me too.”
“Don did so much for me. Not only musically, but making me believe I was worth something. He believed in me! Not something I got from many people.”
Donations in Don’s memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of one’s choice.
To share condolences and memories, please visit www.fowlerfuneralhomeinc.com or mail to Don’s family at PO Box 17, Clarendon, NY 14429.
