Robert Barry “Bob” Crist

Robert “Bob” Crist, age 72, of Ithaca passed away March 16, 2020 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bob was born September 26, 1947 to Robert Lewis and Virginia Elaine (VanWagoner) Crist in Jackson, Michigan. He was a graduate of Western High School in Parma, Michigan. Following high school, Bob enrolled at Central Michigan University, graduating with a degree in music education. He enlisted in the Army after completing his degree and served two years as an Army musician. He toured the Southwest United States performing for troops and entertaining in officer’s clubs. 

In the early 1970’s, Bob began teaching at Ithaca Public Schools in both the high school and jr. high school music departments where he shared his love of music with countless students. He was known for producing excellent marching and concert bands despite the school’s relatively small size, and for his work with students performing in the musical productions at the school. He was also well known in the area for the Ithaca High School Dixieland Band, which he directed and played the piano. Many Friday nights after IHS home basketball games, the community would gather at the bowling alley to listen to Bob and the Dixieland Band play.

Bob loved people and people loved Bob. His combined love of music and people led Bob to share his talents with many community groups. He played at nursing homes and the Senior Activity Building. He performed in the parks and the farmer’s market in the summer. He enjoyed providing music for the Gratiot County Players, leading the musicians and performing in many of their musical performances. He was also the Music Director for the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca. Everywhere Bob went, he made people happy, whether with his music, his jovial personality, or more likely both. Bob so loved sharing his musical talents that he wanted nothing more than to play piano at local nursing homes and the church again. 

Bob’s love of people led him to serve in various community groups. He was a member of the Ithaca Lions Club, a 32nd Degree Mason in the Ithaca Masonic Lodge #123, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Bob is survived by his brother John (Jan) Crist; his nephew Jason (Melissa) Crist; niece Melissa (Charlie Jr.) Westcott; his grand nieces and nephews Elijah and Samara Crist; and Madison, McKenna, and Keegan Wensley, all  of Jackson, Michigan. He is also survived by very dear friends Randy and Tina Miniard, Garrett Miniard, and Bailey Miniard, all of Alma, Michigan; Jordy Miniard-Brewer and  Andrea Miniard-Brewer of Harlan, Kentucky, and Carson Miniard-Teed of Ithaca, Michigan, as well as so many well loved friends he knew over the years

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Virginia Crist, sister-in-law Cheryl Crist, and dear friend Candie Hoch.

There will be a memorial celebration for Bob in the near future. Given recent worldwide events, this information will be forthcoming and announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Bob to either the Ithaca Band Boosters to be used for band camp scholarships, or the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation. 

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences, memories, and/or stories may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

To donate to Ithaca Band Boosters in Memory of Bob, click the "Donate" button below:

Comments

[Howard Wilson]

A true gentleman. The one and only time my band scored higher than his at Rockford, he congratulated me and told me to take the "win" home and enjoy it! Never happened before or since. A real gentleman. RIP.

[Shelby Heinlen]

I personally only knew Bob for a few months, but I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to have him as our pit director this past fall. Bob was an amazing man, with such a lively soul. He impacted so many people in his life, including mine and I barely knew him. He was such a sweetheart, and he cared so much about the people he taught. I will never forget the memories we made in that short period of only a few months. Thank you for everything Bob, you for sure will be missed by everyone ❤️

[Sally Helwig]

I had the joy of being a teacher when Bob was teaching . We were just in different building . He was always a smiling friend and never missed a chance to say Hi. My sons had him and loved him. See you later, Bob!

[Katherine Kitley Strassburg]

I remember the Crist boys fondly. I was extremely shy when I was young, but these two young men who were on my bus route were always polite and well-behaved. Our school was small, so everyone knew everyone else and we truly felt like family. My sincerest sympathies to the Crist family. Anyone whose students leave remarks like these has definitely lived a good life and made his mark on the world. May God bless you and may you find comfort in the memories of all the happy times.

[Doug Brinker]

John and Family,

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother, brother in law, friend, uncle and Comrade. May you find solace in this dark time for your loss.
Doug and Kim Brinker
Jackson Michigan

[Dennis Page]

Bob was a great influence to me throughout high school and beyond. He alway had something nice to say about my family especially the kids! We feel blessed because he inspired us to enjoy life & music! He made us laugh with his goofy cute sense of humor! He will be so missed!! Dennis Page. I'm so sad that he is gone, way too soon. He was Ithaca to me. Maria Page. Condolences, love, & prayers to his family. Bye Bob. RIP

[Robert Duckworth]

Grateful to be one of the many band students that had a chance to be impacted by Mr. Crist. As I have gotten older and my own sons are going through school, it is teachers like Mr. Crist who make schools and communities better. For me, he taught music in a way that not only made me a better musician but a better person. It was amazing how many great memories from high school especially Friday nights during basketball season were tied to band and the time spent. Love and condolences to his family and friends for a man who set a great example on how to love a community and provide joy through sharing his time and gifts with all he met.

[Jeff Wolfgang]

Mr. Crist made a huge, positive impact on so many people’s lives through his years of service to the community. I definitely count myself as one of the many people that are better for having known him. I learned much about music from him but I think the more important lessons were how to value and respect others. You will be missed and remembered, Bob.

[Annabelle Thelen]

I only knew Bob for a few months because he was our pit director for the high school musical. Even from that short time I can say that he impacted my life and everyone's and was such a wonderful man. I remember that he was always smiling, and he shared that happiness with all of us. I think he was a man who truly lived. He made a great legacy through the happiness and passion he shared in music programs. Bob was such an inspiration and we will all cherish his memory.

[Jean Wray Cooke]

Bob & brother, John, made all of our family gatherings much more fun with singing around the piano. Bob and band play at our sixth son's graduation party. He was a blessing to all who knew him!

[Mary Huff]

John and Family,
I remember fondly when your brother's band played beautiful
music at our Jackson County Rose Festival and what fun we had thru the years at all the pageants my late husband Jim and I attended. I can see Bob leading the band in Heaven:-)

[Mary Ann (Tithof) Punke]

I taught with Bob, well I was in the same building, way down on the other end; I partied with Bob; and thought I knew him for almost 50 years! But, I only knew a tiny piece of Bob! After reading and looking at posted pictures that have been poring in over the last 2 weeks, I began to realize Bob was so much bigger! He was huge; he was magical! His smile, his touch, his influence, his talent, his support, his companionship, his love, ...his whole being left such an imprint wherever he went! No one can compare to Bob Crist! I feel fortunate to have had the ability to learn so much more about his life by reading all of the shared memories. He has hundreds of loyal friends with stories to tell. Bob is alive in every one of them, he will live on forever!
Come on guys, who is going to compile the book, "Memories of Our Favorite Music Man"?

[Mary Montes Solis]

A great person and musical educator. One of the several great educators of my lifetime. Uncle Bob you are
are greatly missed. Condolences and my deepest sympathy.

[Cheryl Jewett]

OK. Here goes. It has all seemed so surreal. My cousin, Bobby, I called the piano man. He could make any piano dance. And he had a joyful soul he shared with others through his wonderful smile. We would go out to spend holidays with my Uncle Bob & Aunt Virginia. Both boys always entertained us. I remember both of them so well from childhood to now. Amazing, both of them. And they were so humble about their incredible talent. I will miss him so much though i didn't see him that much. We would talk on the phone occasionally. And communicate through Facebook & Messenger. In a very real sense, his true family was the Ithaca community.
Funny story. Many times, I would invite him to lunch in Jackson. And would seem very interested but never did have lunch together. Bobby, I always called him, was retired but never, honestly, did he retire as you can read in his obituary. Music was his life. But, I digress. Well, since we never got together for lunch here so now I will have lunch with him on the Other Side when I pass over someday. I can hear in my head him chuckle. LOL. By the way, thanks much for the three CDs you sent to me. I play them often to soothe my spirit.

Rest in peace, my dear cousin, Bobby. You will be so missed but then you were & still are loved by many.

[Todd Hyde]

This man loved to see young people excell in the music industry. He taught me to read music which I still remember to this day. I can still hear him yelling out the cadences. I will never forget this caring man and ultimate band director.