Robert Stephen Pruzin

Robert Stephen Pruzin COLUMBIA - Robert "Bob" Stephen Pruzin, 66, of Columbia died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 17, 1947, the son of the late Ludwig and Dorothy Palser Pruzin of New York. Mr. Pruzin was professor of horn at the University of South Carolina School of Music. He also served as the associate dean, director of undergraduate studies, and director of advisement and student teaching. He would have served the University of South Carolina for 36 years at the conclusion of this academic year in May 2014. He was an inspiration and mentor for many young musicians across the state and nation. Mr. Pruzin was the Principal Horn in the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra for 33 years as well as the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. From 1993-2003, he was the artist-in-residence at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts. Mr. Pruzin was also the creator, producer and artist performer of a program titled "Bring Mozart Alive!" Dressed as a court musician in the time of Mozart, Mr. Pruzin has performed for more than 20,000 elementary school children throughout the Carolinas, educating future musical audiences about the work of this great composer. Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam, Mr. Pruzin received his Masters of Music in Performance at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with continued postgraduate work at the University of Maryland and Northwestern University. He was a member of the United States Marine Band, The President's Own, in Washington, D.C. He has appeared as a guest soloist at the International Horn Society symposiums in New York, Texas, Colorado and Australia; at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C.; as well as at numerous regional orchestras throughout the southeast, receiving critical acclaim wherever he has performed. Surviving are his loving wife Mary Ann and children Jason Pruzin of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Rachel Pruzin of Charleston, South Carolina; John Banks of Columbia, South Carolina; Emily Banks Riegel (Bob) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Scott Alan Cleary and Ellie Riegel of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; and his goddaughters Lucy and Gracie Kisner-Drennan of Columbia and their family. Bob will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students, and colleagues. He brought to his life and those around him his deepest love and commitment. He was always one-of-a-kind fun. He faced his last months with courage and determination as was his way all his life. We, as his family, give thanks for his presence in our lives always. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral located at 1100 Sumter Street on Friday, November 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends in Satterlee Hall at the church following the service. Memorials may be sent to the USC School of Music, the SC Philharmonic Orchestra or Trinity Cathedral. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.