Robert Frederick Taylor, 79, retired cellist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, passed away peacefully at his Honeoye Falls NY home on Sunday, May 17, 2020 with his wife Melissa Matson at his side and surrounded by the love of his family and many friends. Preceded in death by his parents Opal (Smith) and Homer Spencer Taylor of Salem OH. Also survived by his son R. Mitchell Taylor of Port Charlotte, FL; daughter Jennifer (Leonard) Gibson of Lincolnton, GA; stepson Alexander Micciche of Asheville, NC; sister Rebecca (Bourbon) Zeigler of Cleveland; former wives Linda (Whinery) Taylor and Jane Ellen (Michael) Bleeg; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; niece Alicia (James) Costello of Cleveland; nephew Bourbon (Julie Albers) Zeigler Jr of Minneapolis, MN.
A graduate of Youngstown University (OH) (1962) and Eastman School of Music (1964), Bob taught at Youngstown University and played two seasons with the Dallas Symphony before joining the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (1968-2007). He performed frequently in chamber music concerts and was a member of the First Unitarian Church Choir. In his retirement he spent many years singing enthusiastically with Eastman-Rochester Chorus, Berkshire Choral Festival, Rochester Oratorio Society, and First Inversion. Beyond his music, Bob will be remembered for his kindness and his giving nature, his infatuation with cars, and for the vigorous attention he paid to his beautiful gardens.
A memorial service will take place at a future date. Donations in Bob’s memory can be sent to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Genesee Land Trust, or another local arts or nature conservation organization of your choice.
It is with a sense of personal loss of his talents as a musician at the RPO and the First Unitarian Church that we shall miss Bob.
Our condolences to Melissa and his family.
I was the audio engineer for all the “Live from Hochstein” Broadcasts from 84-09. Robert was on many shows and I got to know him just a tiny bit. In those moments, the small pleasures that create a community. In this case, a musical community.
My best to Melissa and his family.
The Robert Taylor Family:
I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Bob. He lived and grew up a few blocks away from me in Salem, OH and my father, Howard O. Pardee, was his high school band director. In grade school Bob had picked the string bass as his instrument of choice, but my Dad suggested that he start on the cello as it would be better for his size. He played the string bass in the Shelby High School Band and cello in the Salem High School Orchestra before going on to the Dana School of Music at the Youngstown University. He also performed with the Youngstown Symphony for a number of years before graduating.
Bob and I talked a number of times about attending the Vintage Sportscar Races at Watking Glen International Raceway, but for some reason we just didn’t get together. He was a fellow “car nut” and I’m sure that he would have enjoyed the races. My father might have had something to do with Bob liking cars as he took us to the sports car races at Put-In-Bay in Ohio in the mid-1950s. We flew from Sandusky, OH to the island of PIB on a 1927 Ford Tri-Motor airplane, which was ancient by 1955. We both loved the races and the plane.
Melissa, my very best to you and your family in these trying times.
Howard C. Pardee