I was saddened today to learn that Dr. Robert Thomas, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, with whom I worked closely during my time at the university, overseeing the Music Learning Center which he established in 1978, passed away in September, 2009.
Dr. Thomas was a kind, gracious gentleman with a distinguished, almost old world manner and a rich command of all things exquisite. He was a collector of fine art, both sculpture and painting, antique china, and furniture, to only name a few.
The world needs more people that exhibit the qualities Dr. Thomas exemplified. May he rest in peace.
On a related note, Professor Emeritus Eunice Boardman, also part of the powerhouse of music educators at the U of I during my doctoral work there with the late Charlie Leonard (who I've mentioned before), also passed away in 2009. To date now, most of the most influential professors under whom I studied, have passed away. I'm getting old.
Leave a comment