Dr. Robert W. Surplus

1923 - 2021

Dr. Robert W. Surplus, 98, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, distinguished educator, and musician, died Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, surrounded by family and friends at Telford Terrace, Richmond, Ky. Telford Terrace was his home for the last five years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Olive Surplus; his two brothers, Arthur and Carlton; and the mother of his children, Ruth Surplus. He was also preceded by his beloved wife, Dr. Jean Craig Surplus, on Dec. 23, 2015.

He is survived by his daughters, Amy Ruth Tedeschi (husband Frank), and Melanie Anne Garner (husband Stephen). He has six grandchildren, Frank, Alyssa, Adriana, Carissa, Francesca and Charity; and eight great-grandchildren, Max, Savannah, Lucian, Lily, Lorenzo, Willow, Arabella and Beatrice. Additional survivors are his dear friend, Rita Price (his "Kentucky daughter"), her husband, Devon and their two children, Abigail and Alexander, as well as many other wonderful friends and family.

Robert's love for music started at a very young age when, as little boys, he and his two brothers, known as The ABC Trio, sang and played on the radio and for gatherings in the Scranton area. While in high school, he excelled in trumpet playing and was encouraged by his band director to pursue a career in music.

After completing high school, Robert attended Susquehanna University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945. The first two years after college he worked as a music teacher in Mineola, N.Y., and then Butler, N.J., while working on his Master of Arts from Columbia University. After achieving his Master of Arts, he became supervisor of music in Red Lion.

He remained there until he became an associate professor at Shippensburg State Teachers College. Next, he completed his doctoral thesis at Columbia University and received a Doctor of Education. He was also an instructor at Columbia University and held an assistantship in music education and conducting.

Robert's career then led him to the University of Minnesota, where he served as an assistant professor. While there he planned and produced a series of 12 books about music by Lerner Publications. He was the author of four books for children, "Follow the Leader," "The Alphabet of Music," "The Beat of the Drum," and "The Story of Musical Organizations." The books were purchased by schools all over the country, including Kentucky.

In 1965, Robert came to Eastern Kentucky University to develop a graduate program in music education. He remained at EKU until his retirement in 1994. His wife, Dr. Jean Craig Surplus, also an employee of EKU, supervised young educators during their student teaching experiences.

During his employment at EKU, Robert served as president of the Kentucky Music Educators Association from 1971 to 1973. He was honored with their Distinguished Service Award in 1983. He also received a citation for service in 1994 from the association. He was appointed to the MENC Research Council at the national level, where he served six years. He served on numerous other music-related and educational endeavors and remained very active in music many years after retirement.

Prior to and after retirement, Robert and Jean traveled extensively in the British Isles and continental Europe. They also visited Egypt, Jordan and remote islands off the coast of Scotland and England.

Robert was an extremely talented teacher and musician and got the opportunity to spend his life doing what he loved. He was also a man who loved fishing, spending time just talking with others and enjoying a good meal. He will be remembered as a man who loved God, his family, travel and of course, music. He will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the Gouldsboro United Methodist Church, Main Street, Gouldsboro. Committal services and interment will be conducted at Lehigh Cemetery, Gouldsboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 425 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, KY 40475, Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief to benefit victims of the Western Kentucky tornado, 13420 Eastpoint Centre Drive, Louisville, KY 40223, or Gouldsboro United Methodist Church, 495 Main St., Gouldsboro, PA 18424.