Bob Apgar

1956 – 2024
Harry Robert (Bob) Apgar Jr., of Ewing, NJ passed away on May 1, 2024 at the age of 67.
Bob was born on June 18, 1956 in Somerville, NJ. He grew up on a farm in Hunterdon County and then moved to Baltimore, MD to study music education (clarinet) at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Bob met his one day wife, Sherry, in Baltimore while they were playing a church gig. Sherry took Bob to her high school prom.
Bob was a dedicated educator and musician. He worked as the band director at Fisher Middle School in Ewing, NJ for twenty-five years until retiring in 2014. Though he retired from teaching he did not retire from music, continuing to play clarinet, sax and flute at countless venues throughout the region. He accompanied numerous great artists including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Johnny Mathis. He focused on musical theater in his later years, joining the pit for hundreds of performances at regional theaters. It would be impossible to calculate the number of people who heard him perform over his lifetime.
Bob loved dogs, basketball, and riding his bike. He would often tell stories of Penny, his childhood dog. When his children were young he adopted Princess, who he lauded as the most emotionally intelligent dog he had ever met. He played basketball for many years, from his high school team, to pickup as a young adult, to setting up a hoop in the driveway when his son was young so they could play together. Cycling became his passion after retiring, and he logged thousands of miles per year on his bike. He was a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. At the final basketball game he attended with his son and son-in-law, Joel Embiid broke the franchise record for points in a game.
Whenever something broke in their homes, Bob was the first one his kids would call for help. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree and was immensely proud of supporting his children in their educational pursuits. Over the past year he enjoyed spending time with Harrison, his grandson. He was deeply devoted to Sherry and will be missed more than words can say.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sherry Hartman-Apgar, his two children, Samantha (Aaron Pruzaniec) and Nathaniel (Samantha Sanchez), and his grandson, Harrison Apgar Pruzaniec.
Memorial services are 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11th at Orland's Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. There will be a reception following the service at Marsilio's Kitchen, 71 W Upper Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ.
Memorial contributions are respectfully requested to Project 440 (project440.org) to honor Bob's belief that involvement in the arts make you a better person.