Robert Edward Vaughan

Obituary of Robert Vaughan Bob Vaughan, whose health and energy was failing over the past several years, quietly passed away on January 21, 2015 at the age of 95 at Lake Port Square in Leesburg, FL. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Grace Barry (Barrie) Wilson Vaughan, and a sister, Jean Vaughan Hartenstine(of Wildwood, FL), and many loving nieces and nephews. Bob was born and raised in Norristown, PA. and early developed a love of music. At age 6, he was singing and playing the piano. Being given a trumpet at age 8, he quickly developed into a very talented trumpeter. Bob also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and received the Order of the Arrow Award. In 9th Grade, Bob sang in the High School Chorus, played solo trumpet in the concert and marching band, organized his own dance band, andeven played in various bands in the Philadelphia, PA area. Pursuing a career in music, Bob graduated from the West Chester State Teachers College in 1942 with a BS in Music Education. Briefly teaching Instrumental Music at Smedley Jr. High School in Chester, PA, he then attended Temple University, played in the CBS Studio Orchestra in NYC, and received an MS in Music Education in 1944.He continued his graduate studies, earning 64 credits in Administration. Bob thentaught in the Prospect Park, PA schoolsand played with the Jimmy Ray's (Dance) Orchestra. Having a very keen ear for music, he also began to arrange the music for the Orchestrawhichplayed at the Covered Wagon in Wayne, PA and at the infamous SunnyBrook Ballroom in Pottstown, PA. He made a special arrangement entitled "Sweet and Lovely" which became the Orchestra's theme song. Bob and Barrie Wilson were married in Overbrook, PA in 1945. They first lived in the Calvert HallApartments (in Philadelphia) and then for 48 years, in Havertown, PA. Bob then began his 35 years of music administration with the Chester, PA schools. He is known for emphasizinginstrumental training for the young students;i.e., the use of the "flutophone", certified music teachers, an organ and/or piano in each school - thus creating wonderful musical training for the future musicians. He served as President of the PHL Bandmasters Association, was active in the National EducationAssociation, Kiwanis, and the Masons. He was inducted into the Local 3484 Chester Music Union Hall of Fame in 1971. Bob retired from directing the Chester Schools Music Program in June 1978. Over the years, Bob relaxed, playingthe piano and the organ until be passed away.Not having any children, Bob and Barrie traveled extensively in thesummer monthsthroughout the United States, stopping to see the sights and to enjoy music events along the way. In 1997they purchased a Florida home in the "Plantation at Leesburg" in Leesburg, FL. With health concerns increasing, Bob and Barrie moved (in 2003) into a lovely Senior Residence at Lake Port Square in Leesburg, FL. Being a very talented musician and exhibiting marvelous music leadership, a book (written by a former Chester High School trumpeter of Bob's), entitled Chester Music Memories and published in 2007, was dedicated to the Vaughans. Thousands of Chester, PA musicians and students will certainly greet Bob in "God's heavenly Music Department" in the future ! Having made funeral arrangement years ago, Bob was cremated, with his urn being kept by Barrie. When Barrie "passes on", they both will be buried in the old family plot behind St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Honey Brook, Pa.