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Robert Frutchey Obituary
Bob was an active member and past President of the Magic City Kiwanis Club, with one of his favorite projects being the Lake Anna gazebo, and was also a Past Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis. He was an Adjudicator for the Ohio Music Educators Association and a member of the (SRTA) Summit County Retired Teachers Associations. Bob volunteered for the annual Cancer Survivor Walk, was a Grand Pal for a 6th grader, helped children with their reading at Memorial School and participated in various organizations over the years.
Though Bob enjoyed music very much, he also enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He was known for always seeing the best in people and pulling that 'best" out.
Preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alice Frutchey; brother, William; sisters, Marian Griebling and Margaret Hunt; he is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Suzanne; son, Kenneth (Lynne) of Fullerton, Calif.; daughter, Kristine (Steve) Becker, Spokane, Wash.; son, Robert (Heidi) of Longmont, Colo.; and grandchildren, Lindsay, Katherine, Karsten, Alayna, Jensen, Robby, Ben, Sam, and Maddy; sisters, Emma Gagnon, Anne Waltz, Barbara Williams; and brother, David.
Funeral service will be held on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Barberton First Presbyterian Church, 636 W. Park Ave., Barberton, Ohio, with Pastor Richard Lapehn officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until time of service. Memorials may be made to Barberton First Presbyterian Church or the Akron Symphony Orchestra, 17 N. Broadway Street, Akron, Ohio 44308.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Frutchey
Diana Gayer
May 12, 2012
I was so sorry to hear about Bob's passing in April. It came as quite a shock and I'm sure it has been very sad time for you, Suzanne, and your family. I played with Bob in the Akron Sumphony Orchestra for many years starting with Louis Lane in 1959. We have always enjoyed seeing you both at ASO receptions and will miss you very much. I was not able to attend Bob's service because I wasn't well that weekend but my thoughts and prayers have been with you. There are many many friends like me who are mourning the loss of Bob. I hope all of your happy memories of Bob will sustain you in the difficult times ahead.
Fondly,
Diana and John Gayer
Eileen Arnett
May 12, 2012
Suzanne, I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing. Such a loss to you and your family, while a great blessing in Heaven. May his rich legacy bring comfort with loving, peaceful memories. God bless.
May 12, 2012
A big smile, a friendly greeting, an interest in each person as he talked with them,a love of his dear family and so much more. Bob set a good example for us all and left us with a better appreciation of how music can enhance our lives. Thinking of you and remembering you in my prayers, Donna Koster
karen knapp kindsvatter
May 11, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful man and magnificent teacher. He gave my daughter Megan private horn lessons for years and was her good friend and mentor and I am sure the reason she is a music teacher today. I enjoyed spending my saturday mornings visiting with Sue as they played their horns together. May God bless all of you at this time of sadness.
May 3, 2012
Mr. Frutchey was a wonderful man.He taught me so much about music and was always very nice and patient.I am so sorry for your loss and all that knew him will certainly miss this wonderful man.He taught me from Johnson elementary school when I was younger and gave me a true love for music.Rest in peace Bob.
Daryl & Barbara Malmberg
May 2, 2012
I am sorry to hear about Ken's father. He sounds like he was a wonderful and talented man. He will be missed. My prayers are with the Frutchey family.
Keith & Robyn (Ferguson) Neloms
May 1, 2012
Frutchey Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss, are prayers are with your family.
Kathy (Simmons) Malicoat
May 1, 2012
I felt sad when I heard about the passing of Mr. Frutchey. He was my band teacher from 5th grade at Johnson and I continued with band at Highland. He had a sense of patience that was endless. He made learning and playing music fun and I will carry those good memories with me. My sympathies to his family and friends.
May 1, 2012
Sorry to hear of your loss. Bob was an excellent neighbor and teacher of music to my girls. He brought the love of music into my home. He also admitted that he was a closet violin player. He had to learn the violin to teach my daughter. Loving memories of Bob will remain in my family. He touched us all. The Clark's
Jan Martin Schoeppner
April 30, 2012
Mrs. Frutchey- What always impressed me when we were at Oakdale was how Mr. Frutchey was able to get a rhythm going by snapping every single finger on both hands- maybe a strange memory, but I will never forget that! I am so glad I saw the two of you at the art auction last year. Thinking of all of you-
Karen Brooker (Slimak)
April 30, 2012
I was very sad to hear about Mr. Frutchey's passing. He was my band teacher at Johnson & Highland. He always had a way of getting the best out of you. Because of him, I was able to learn to play multiple instruments and although I no longer play, my love of music is still with me today and I know he had a lot to do with it. As my children began playing musical instruments, they had to listen to my Highland Band stories. I know they thought I was crazy! He definitely make a mark on my life. He will truly be missed.
April 30, 2012
I will miss you My friend. Sherrie Sanchez
John Judy
April 30, 2012
Sad to hear about Mr. Frutchey (Bob's) passing. He always had a smile and was inspirational to my love of music. I wish the rest of the wonderful Frutchey family all the best.
Patty Dillon-Gregg
April 30, 2012
Mr. Frutchey and I go back to 5th grade around 1966 at Arnold Elementary. And last time I saw him at a Lake Anna festival, he still remembered me some 40 yrs later! He was always my favorite! He wrote in my class book, "A smile is a curve that straightens things out" and he had the best smile! My sincere condolences to his family.
Cyn Wilde (Wood)
April 30, 2012
Mr. Frutchey was my band teacher from Arnold Elementary thru Highland Jr. High. He was a rare gem of a mentor who made a difference in young lives, always positive and always there for us with our music and with our lives guiding us. His guidance followed us through our adulthood. Thanks, Mr. Frutchey you will be surely missed by many people. I can here Hawaii Five-O playing right now!!
Michael J Molenaur
April 30, 2012
Barbara and Family, my condolences. sorry i could not attend the service. Memory Eternal!
Dana Toth
April 30, 2012
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Brian, Dana & Matthew Toth
Linda Millhoff Jacobsen
April 29, 2012
Mr. Frutchey, a great band director and family man. I owe my love of music and the ability to read music to him. All of us in the band at Santrock and Highland loved him. He will be missed by many and left a legacy of music lovers.
Marty & Renee Bodnar
April 29, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to the Frutchey family. God Bless.
Megan (Koster) Usko
April 29, 2012
Never did Mr. Frutchey have a frown on his face & never was he mean even when he had to be stern to a few in music class. I hope the angels welcomed him with a sweet song to fill his heart & let him join in as he waits for us all to join him someday. His caring touched so many in the Barberton schools and in the community. May God bless you and comfort you in this time.
Lola Rothmann
April 29, 2012
I send my deepest sympathy to Bob's family. I have known him since the early days of the Akron Symphony. He was a fine man and a fine musician. He has earned his chair in the heavenly orchestra.
Lola Rothmann, Hudson, Ohio
Jim Seiberling
April 29, 2012
My sincerest condolences to the family. Bob will be missed.
April 29, 2012
He will be greatly missed by friends and the music community of the Akron area.
Shirley Purdy
Samuel Risley
April 28, 2012
Mr . Frutchey was a great influence as my music teacher from Johnson Elementary through Highland Jr. High School. I will cherish those memories forever. God Bless Bob and his family.
Rusty & Kay Phillips
April 28, 2012
Dear Sue and Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jim McIntyre
April 28, 2012
As an amateur musician, it was my privilege to make music with Bob for about 10 years. Playing with him was a delight. I will miss him and the joy he always brought to making music. My condolences to Sue and his family.
April 28, 2012
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE FRUTCHEY FAMILY.
LINDA (HUNT) TURNER
April 28, 2012
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. ~
April 28, 2012
Dear Sue and family,
I was greatly saddened to hear of Bob's passing, yesterday. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
I had the unique privilege of playing 2nd horn next to Bob for 8 years. He was one of the most naturally gifted players I have ever known, thus no surprise he held the position of Principal for FORTY TWO years! Wow!
I will always remember Bob's smile, kindness and patience. Especially, his patience! Akron Symphony was my first orchestra job. I had A LOT to learn! However, he never gave up on me, just as he never gave up on anyone, lucky enough to cross his path.
Our loss is heaven's gain.
Susan Ramsdell
Akron, OH
Paula Barnes
April 28, 2012
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. One of a kind.
Paula Barnes (rittman,Ohio)
Steve Williams
April 28, 2012
The Frutchey Family
My deepest and heart-felt sympathy goes out to you and yours. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
James Phillips
April 28, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Mrs Frutchey and famiy. I will continue to hold you up in my prayers.
Susan Beachy (Starcher)
April 28, 2012
Mr. Frutchey was my band director at Santrock Elementary and Highland Jr. High. He was a good teacher. He will be greatly missed.
April 28, 2012
Sue and family-thinking of you. Bob met everyone with that huge smile and a friendly greeting. I always knew he would have a positive thought to share or something nice to say. Each time I talked with Bob over the years I came away with a bit of "music" in my heart. He will be missed.
Becky Strauch
April 28, 2012
Mr. Frutchey was my band teacher/director at Santrock and Highland. He was a talented musician doubly blessed with the gift of teaching. Very sorry for your loss.
Paul&Jan Swaino
April 28, 2012
Deepest sympathy to the family. Paul&Jan Swaino
Earl and Gladys (Arnett) Guseck
April 28, 2012
To Sue and Family,
Words can't express the sadness we feel for you in the loss of such a wonderful man. But we know he isn't lost, he's now making beautiful music in Heaven. I'm so thankful that our paths crossed many years ago because of Boy Scout Troop 100. You've been such a special friend to my brother, Jim, and always very kind to our family.
Praying for you through this difficult time.
Love,
Michelle Kirkpatrick-Mathis
April 28, 2012
Mr. Frutchey will be greatly missed...I had him for a music teacher while I was at Santrock Elementary school.....And WHY DID HE LEARN THE FRENCH HORN? (my daughter plays the French Horn at BHS)
Michelle Kirkpatrick-Mathis
Colleen (Hammons) Thesing
April 28, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the Frutchey family. Mr. Frutchey was a great band director and teacher. He shared his love of music with all his students and the choir at the Presbyterian church. My mom (Pat Claar) played the organ while Mr. Frutchey directed the choir and now I'm sure they have already started practice with a choir of angels.
Betty (Seech)Tatton (EHS "53)
April 28, 2012
May you be comforted now and in the coming days with memories of Bob and of the life he shared with you.
May he rest in peace.
April 28, 2012
Sue,
Barb & I are sorry to hear of your loss.
Karl &Barb McConnell
Lynnea Imhoff
April 28, 2012
Mrs. Frutchey may the Lord comfort you and your family during this time. Bob always knew how to make others smile and I'll never forget the Joy he brought to our conversations as a high school teenager. Praying for you!
Steven Corej
April 28, 2012
What a wonderful man Bob Frutchey was, and what a wonderful asset he will be to heavens angels with his music. I will always remember Mr. Frutchey as the man who taught me to love music. Without him in my life, I would not be the man I am today. I still sing the songs he taught us in elementary school to my children today. I'm sure that I am just one of the many lives he has touched and inspired. His legacy will live on through the music that he put into our lives.
Elizabeth Wilson
April 28, 2012
Bob was what they call an "American Original." He will be missed.
Cindy List
April 28, 2012
I hardly know what to say... I'm so very sad. My deepest sympathies to Sue and the Frutchey family. Bob was my friend and mentor - a wonderful man; I will miss him always.
Shaun Jessen
April 28, 2012
Mr. Frutchey was my band teacher in school. He was an awesome teacher, who cared deeply for his students. Although I've been out of school for many years I often wondered about him. Please know that he touched many lives, he was a kind and caring man.
RIP, Mr. Frutchey.
Mary Jo (Ligas) Loveland
April 28, 2012
You are all on my heart today. When I first met Bob I was in grade school (early sixties) and he told me I should play the flute because "girls don't play drums". Of course, I never let him forget that one when we reconnected as adults. :) As an adult and fellow Kiwanis member, his talent, energy and just general 'goodness' was still evident. He was a remarkable person and will always be remembered fondly.
Bob Velloney
April 28, 2012
Suzanne,
I was saddened to hear the news of Bob's
passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
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