Robert Eberle

1949 - 2025

Robert Eberle
12/25/2025
Robert (Rob) Emmett Eberle, 76, passed away peacefully at his home in New Haven, Connecticut, on Christmas morning.
Born on November 22, 1949, in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, to Leo and Marion Eberle, Rob grew up with a deep love of music and learning-passions that would shape every chapter of his life. His professional life blended his gifts as a percussionist with his calling as an educator, administrator, and mentor.
Rob's first paying gig was drumming alongside his older brother Lee at a local Junior High School rock 'n' roll dance, when they were just thirteen and fourteen years old. He followed his love and aptitude for music by earning bachelor's degrees in music performance and education from the University of Washington. After graduating, he began his career as a music education specialist in Mukilteo, Washington. He later decided to pursue his passion for percussion performance by moving to New Haven to study for a master's degree in music from Yale University, which he completed in 1981. It was while attending Yale that he met his wife and lifelong creative partner, Hope Hartup, who was attending the Yale School of Drama.
As a professional percussionist, he performed with orchestras throughout Connecticut and began teaching percussion to students at Neighborhood Music School. While there, his studio evolved into a full-time job; he founded the school's Wind Ensemble; and he eventually served as the school's Executive Director from 1989 to 1996. He took great pride in being the creative inspiration behind and the initial director of the Audubon Arts Summer Program, which continues to thrive to this day.
Following his time at Neighbourhood Music School, Rob transitioned into public school administration, earning his Doctorate in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. As a Connecticut public school administrator, Robert served as an assistant principal at both Housatonic Valley Regional High School and Cheshire High School. He concluded his career as principal of Wolcott High School. As a public school administrator, Rob was known for his steady leadership, collaborative spirit, and belief in the potential of young people.
In retirement, Rob's passion for education and love of teaching continued at Hopkins School. He worked with Hopkins School's Pathfinder Program, substitute taught in its English department, and assisted in the school's library. He was also his wife Hope's "secret weapon," working behind the scenes of her theater productions at the school-building sets, arranging music, and playing percussion for a wide range of shows.
In his personal life, Rob was a devoted family man who loved and supported his children to the fullest–he was the constant steady backbeat of their lives. His relationship with Hope was magical and grounded in love, creativity, and an unwavering devotion to family. Some of our happiest recollections of him are intimate ones: playing games, listening to jazz, and sitting by the fire, guitar in hand, leading family sing-alongs.
He was a modest hero by nature; steadfast in his belief that helping others succeed was purpose enough. He lived his life as if it were an orchestra: everyone had a part to play, and the goal was always to serve something larger than yourself. His greatest joy came from empowering others-helping them find their rhythm, push further, and believe in what they could become.
Rob was many things: husband, dad, grandfather, teacher, thinker, advocate, artist, cheerleader. He cared deeply about what mattered and very little about what didn't. His legacy lives on in the countless students he taught, the colleagues he supported, the music he shared, and the family he loved so fiercely. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Hope Hartup, their three children, Dylan Eberle (Caroline Hu), Romy Eberle (Colin Naples), and Annika Eberle, his granddaughter Hope Naples, and his brother Lee Eberle (Lisa Vivian).
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rob's memory may be made to the Pathfinder Program at Hopkins School. Contributions can be made at hopkins.edu/give; please designate Pathfinder as the fund.