Robert Lee Schoppert, 83, of Broomfield, Colorado, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 21, 2017 in Boulder after suffering a stroke 2 days prior. Robert was born on March 26, 1934 in South Dakota to Robert and Louise Schoppert. Robert and Joan Susan Petrik were married in Scotland, South Dakota on August 10, 1959. She was the love of his life. Robert taught band in Parker, SD, Centerville, SD, Custer, SD, Rapid City, SD and for many years at O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, SD. He was a veteran of the Unites States Army SP4 playing trombone in the 10th Division Army Band stationed in Wurtzburg Germany, Phi Beta Mu National School Bandmaster Fraternity, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, NAMM; National Association of Music Merchandising, Piano Technicians Guild, PALS; Performing Arts League at Anthem Ranch and was past president and current board member of Spanish Towers Condominium HOA. Robert is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Rochelle Schoppert, Sonia Geis, and Shanna Gulbrandson; siblings, Violet Huber Pickering, Sherwin D. Schoppert and Sharon Hauck; and grandchildren, Brittany Geis, Gavin Geis, Garett Geis, Matthew Schoppert, John Schoppert, Paul Schoppert, Christian Schoppert, Noah Gulbrandson, Madalyn Gulbrandson and Gage Gulbrandson. He was preceded in death by his son, R. Scott Joseph Schoppert, brother Donald Schoppert, sister Fern Waltner, sister Norma Mills. Bob Schoppert first opened Bob's Piano Sales & Service in 1962 in Sioux Falls before relocating to Boulder, Colorado in 1987. Bob's Piano Sales and Service remains in operation and a continued legacy in Sioux Falls, SD, as well as Boulder, Broomfield and surrounding areas. Bob spent time as a piano consultant at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, as well as at the Samick Piano Factory in Inchon, Korea, the University of Iowa and many other colleges and universities. Bob was Head Concert Piano Technician at the Aspen Music Festival for 38 years. He mentored many young piano technicians who serviced nearly 200 pianos used by more than 100 professional faculty members, as well as some 1,000 music students from all parts of the world each summer. After the music festival season, Bob was in charge of selling the Steinway, Boston and Essex Pianos. Bob was director of Piano Technology at the University of Colorado at Boulder for 15 years. He has a B.A. from Southern State College in South Dakota and holds a Masters Degree in Music from the University of South Dakota. He taught band, vocal music and stage band at several high schools for over 30 years. Bob and his wife Joan have four children and ten grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. There will be visiting hours on Friday, May 5 starting at 6:00 PM with a prayer vigil at 7:00 at Greenwood and Myers Mortuary. The Memorial Mass will be on May 6, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Nativity of Our Lord in Broomfield, followed by celebration of life and luncheon at Aspen Lodge, Anthem Ranch Community in Broomfield. Memorial contributions may be made to TRU Community Hospice, the Legacy H.S. Band in Broomfield or O'Gorman High School Band in Sioux Falls, SD in the name of Robert L. Schoppert. Please visit www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com to offer condolences.

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Published by The Daily Camera from Apr. 30 to May 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Schoppert

Sponsored by Greenwood & Myers Mortuary - Boulder.

13 Entries

Richard Eggers, Niwot

April 24, 2022

Whenever Bob tuned my 7' Steinway, it always sounded beautiful. Then we'd spend half an hour discussing his memories of tuning and voicing for the great performers. My piano is in good hands with his son-in-law Don and I look forward to meeting up again with Bob in the next life.

Thomas Bierer

December 30, 2018

Sorry for the late condolences. I just found this page and thought I would like to enter something about Bob. Bob changed my life as a young student in band. He caught me practicing one day and listened to me play my trumpet. In a very supportive way he said, "You really have a beautiful sound and you should be very proud of it" I didn't expect a comment like that but I knew that coming from Bob he knew what a good sound was, and it meant the world to me to hear him say it. From that point on I worked on trying to be the best I could be. Bob provided me with many opportunities and countless words of encouragement. He lined up private lessons for me with Gerard Schwarz of the New York Philharmonic and provided a way for me to get to the Aspen School of Music. He provided me with employment when it was needed to help his piano business. Joan and his children allowed me to be with their family during the summers in Aspen. Without Bob's influence I would not have chosen music as a career. I am so grateful for all he gave me as one of his band students. So much more than anyone today could offer. Thank you bob for all you did to set me on my life journey in music. You were my inspiration and will always remain.

Robert Biddlecome

June 30, 2017

I was so sorry to learn of Bob's passing. I worked closely with him at Aspen for about 30 of his 38 summers there and learned a great deal about pianos from him. Whenever there was a solo piano program or a program with a piano concerto Bob, the "piano doctor", would be there just in case there was a piano "emergency" and his services were needed, which they often were. He was a good friend as well as a fellow trombonist.

Joan, please accept my condolences and prayers.

David Davis

May 10, 2017

Bob was always so kind and supportive of me, and the music program at Sacred Heart of Mary. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

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Mike Breidenbach

May 7, 2017

I thought with Bob at O'Gorman. A great teacher. Condolences to the family.

May 6, 2017

Bob was such a great man. I knew him as a Master Piano Technician and his kind sharing ways will truly be missed. Condolences to all of his family and friends. Julie Cotton

Robert Bangasser

May 5, 2017

Sorry to hear about Mr. Schoppert. I had him for band at Cathedral some along with Mr Schallenkamp, then at O'Gorman. He taught me many lessons ( along with music lessons ) that helped me later on in my life and I will always remember him.

Chic (Sharlene) Burkey

May 4, 2017

I have many fond memories of Mr Schoppert from my days at O'Gorman. I have always gone by my nickname given at birth but he was the only instructor that ever insisted on calling me by my given name. We had our differences every fall when I refused to play in the marching band but he always welcomed me back come concert season. I am sure I was a challenge for him!!!! He influenced a lot of young musicians. Thanks Mr Schoppert

Richard Eggers

May 3, 2017

Bob was my voicer and tuner for my 7 ft 1912 Steinway Grand for the past several years. He brought a beautiful tone to it that had not existed before. He truly new his Steinways. Afterwards he always told me fascinating experiences about his work with some of the great pianists. I shared with him my love of music and my German heritage and these were always beautiful moments for me. His was a life extremely well-lived, and as a fellow Catholic, I hope in God's good time to renew our conversations in the Lord's "perfectly tuned" Kingdom.

Tim Coates

May 3, 2017

I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Celia Bradley

May 3, 2017

Have many fond memories of our school years. Wishing you the best. Celia

Barbara Hutton

April 30, 2017

Dear Joan,
Pam, Chelsea and I are so sorry for your loss. We'll always remember him as a kind, gentle, gracious, funny and thoughtful neighbor and friend. You and your family are in our prayers. With love.

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