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Robert Waller Obituary
Robert was born on Sept. 24, 1921 in Yonkers, son of Virgil and Lucy (Harris) Waller. He was educated at schools in Yonkers and graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. During World War II he was a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, stationed in the Philippines. After returning, Bob studied through the G.I. Bill and advanced his engineering education at MIT. After completing his studies, Bob taught music for a year at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va.
He enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music, where he received a master’s in organ and a master’s in voice. Bob then worked for Columbia Records in New York City as sound engineer and at CBS for a total of 25 years. While living in New York City, he was the organist and choir director at Trinity Church on Wall Street. He moved to the town of Hoosick after retiring in 1980 and has been the organist at St. Patrick’s Church in Watervliet since then. An accomplished organist, he was an enthusiast of organ history and he restored many antique organs.
Fifteen years ago, he built a music studio on his property, which he called “Pipedream.” The studio houses five different kinds of pipe organs and two grand pianos, which he enjoyed playing. Several music groups, like the Albany-Schenectady Guild of Organists and the Theater Organists, came to hold concerts, monthly meetings and picnics there.
Survivors include his sister, Mary W. Shipman of Escondido, Calif.; a niece, Barbara Sweesy of Kelso, Wash.; and friends Anne and Joel Miller and their family of Hoosick.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main St., in Hoosick Falls.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Waller
6 Entries
Mark Paige
February 5, 2005
So many memories of such a kind man and such a talented musician have come flooding back to me since I read of Bob's passing. In particular, I'd like to mention his love for his home, his music studio, his instruments, his pets, and, of course, his many friends. There are many stories of his dedication to his art, all somehow summed up for me by the memory of following him up the stairs at St. Patrick's... watching him ascend slowly, deliberately, one step at a time, usually without complaint of the great physical pain which it caused him, all because he knew that once he reached the top, the opportunity to make music in that wonderful space would be worth every effort! May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Harold Russell
February 3, 2005
I first met Bob in 1991 through a friend and from then on became known to Bob as his personal organ builder. I have spent many wonderful hours at the studio trying to coax as musch music as possible out of the pipe organ there and try and keep up with the mouse population and keep them out of the organ. I can say that Bob was not just a wonderful musician but a true friend as well. He always had a smile for everyone as well as a great respect for others he would encounter. I felt as if my life was enriched by him and will miss him greatly because when you work along side of him you became part of what he was. Truly the organ world has sustained a great loss. Bob we will meet you again some day. Until then keep up the music in heaven where the organ is always in tune and your voice strong.
David Lester
February 3, 2005
I first met Bob at an ATOS meeting. We chatted in a general way about organ playing. From this beginning the doors began to open on the background of this most interesting man. He introduced me (through his personal contacts)to many little-known facts and personal experiences he had with people behind many radio programs, organ teachers of fame, and interpretations of master works that Bob personally experienced. It was a wonderful experience to watch his organ studio grow to what it is today. It is a personal pleasure to say that I met and knew such a man.
Ned Spain
February 3, 2005
A friend of mine from Watervliet died a few years ago and was buried from St. Patrick's Church. During the service I heard this exceptional voice and very accomplished organ music. It wasn't until I inquired as to who was playing there that I found out it was our own ATOS chapter's Bob Waller. He was so modest that I never learned of his background until I read the obituary. He was truly a great musician.
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Bill Gaillard
February 2, 2005
Ditto on Carl Hackerts note. I too am a "home" organist who sincerely appreciated Bob's talent and ability to perform in all styles. As a member of the Town Of Hoosick Rescue Squad I was called when he had been found.
He will be very fondly remembered for his organ studio and friendly and often humorous nature. He is a loss to our community of Hoosick.
Bill Gaillard--an organ owner
Carl Hackert
January 30, 2005
Bob Waller's musical talent, personality, knowledge, humor and resonant voice filled a room like no other. Bob loved all kinds of music from Classical to Pop and would easily transistion from one to another. His studio was a wonderful place that he kindly shared with all of us in the capital district's music community. Speaking for the theatre organ club, we offer our sincere love and condolences to Bob's friends and family. We are all better for having known him and its safe to say that he enjoyed a long and fulfilling life. We are thankful for the humor, generosity and talent that he shared with us, his church congregation, the AGO and Proctors' theatre audiences so many times. We will miss him dearly... CARL HACKERT, Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the ATOS.
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