Robert and his wife, Lenore, were killed in an automobile accident on July 14, 1996 in Evergreen, Ala. I believe they were on their way to Atlanta for a Braves game. They had 3 children. Robert was a great guy...I remember how he could always make me laugh when we were in school...which got us in trouble many times by the way! It was wonderful to get see him at our last reunion. I was heart broken when I heard the news of his death.
For me, Robert will always be remembered by the way he could play the drums. Being somewhat of a musical talent, I was quite awe stricken when I heard him first play at our school talent show in my junior year. Then I heard him play many times with the band he and Steve Nader were in together. I never knew him well before then, but I can still hear him in my head and even see him "beating the skins". I treated several of his brothers over the years, and that is how I learned of his death. I was saddened by his passing, as many of us were. His brothers tell me they still save a place at the table for him at holiday times, and that he is remembered by many he touched along the way. A life ending to soon is a tragedy in many ways hard to describe. We miss you Robert.
Robert and I first met in the CHS concert and marching bands in 1970. In our junior year, 1973, with the school's official music program nearing its ultimate demise, Robert and I, along with some underclassmen (including Mike Massey and Matt Kuryllo, class of 1977; Johnnie Deboe and Raymond Bartusevich, class of 1976 and David Smith class of '74) started a pep band to play at the football games to help the cheerleaders cheer on the team. We later organized a Rock/Pop band called the Sounds of Freedom (with Rusty Wright, EHS (bass guitar), and Paul Kilpatrick, PHS (lead guitar)) and continued to play together beyond high school at area night-clubs, dances,the NAS officers' club, and many other places in Northwest Florida. Robert was a dedicated and very talented musician, and more importantly a wonderful and sincerely GOOD man who had great love and passion for his family, music and the world of people around him. I will always miss Robert. Sincerely, Steve Nader
By Mike Massey, class 0f 1977, courtesy of Steve "Doc" Nader -
As Steve mentioned, he, Robert, and I formed the Sounds of Freedom (along with some friends from within as well as without Catholic's "official" music program) as that program was near its demise. I had the pleasure and privilege after leaving that band of playing sax and flute in a couple of other bands with Robert and Lucky (his older brother). Robert was a mentor (personally and musically), a true friend, and an exceptionally good and decent human being. I barely had the opportunity go get to know his wife Lenore, but I could tell she was also a good and a decent human being, and that she and Robert loved and cared for each other deeply.
To this day I am shocked and saddened by their untimely passing. My thoughts and prayers have and continue to go out to their children and all of their families. May God bless and keep you, Robert and Lenore. I look forward to seeing you both again in Heaven. - Mike Massey , class of 1977
Carol Winter (Fries)
Robert and his wife, Lenore, were killed in an automobile accident on July 14, 1996 in Evergreen, Ala. I believe they were on their way to Atlanta for a Braves game. They had 3 children. Robert was a great guy...I remember how he could always make me laugh when we were in school...which got us in trouble many times by the way! It was wonderful to get see him at our last reunion. I was heart broken when I heard the news of his death.Peter Congiundi
For me, Robert will always be remembered by the way he could play the drums. Being somewhat of a musical talent, I was quite awe stricken when I heard him first play at our school talent show in my junior year. Then I heard him play many times with the band he and Steve Nader were in together. I never knew him well before then, but I can still hear him in my head and even see him "beating the skins". I treated several of his brothers over the years, and that is how I learned of his death. I was saddened by his passing, as many of us were. His brothers tell me they still save a place at the table for him at holiday times, and that he is remembered by many he touched along the way.A life ending to soon is a tragedy in many ways hard to describe. We miss you Robert.
Steve Nader
Robert and I first met in the CHS concert and marching bands in 1970. In our junior year, 1973, with the school's official music program nearing its ultimate demise, Robert and I, along with some underclassmen (including Mike Massey and Matt Kuryllo, class of 1977; Johnnie Deboe and Raymond Bartusevich, class of 1976 and David Smith class of '74) started a pep band to play at the football games to help the cheerleaders cheer on the team. We later organized a Rock/Pop band called the Sounds of Freedom (with Rusty Wright, EHS (bass guitar), and Paul Kilpatrick, PHS (lead guitar)) and continued to play together beyond high school at area night-clubs, dances,the NAS officers' club, and many other places in Northwest Florida. Robert was a dedicated and very talented musician, and more importantly a wonderful and sincerely GOOD man who had great love and passion for his family, music and the world of people around him. I will always miss Robert. Sincerely, Steve NaderSteve Nader
By Mike Massey, class 0f 1977, courtesy of Steve "Doc" Nader -As Steve mentioned, he, Robert, and I formed the Sounds of Freedom (along with some friends from within as well as without Catholic's "official" music program) as that program was near its demise. I had the pleasure and privilege after leaving that band of playing sax and flute in a couple of other bands with Robert and Lucky (his older brother). Robert was a mentor (personally and musically), a true friend, and an exceptionally good and decent human being. I barely had the opportunity go get to know his wife Lenore, but I could tell she was also a good and a decent human being, and that she and Robert loved and cared for each other deeply.
To this day I am shocked and saddened by their untimely passing. My thoughts and prayers have and continue to go out to their children and all of their families. May God bless and keep you, Robert and Lenore. I look forward to seeing you both again in Heaven. - Mike Massey , class of 1977