Robert Frank Spencer's Obituary
Robert Frank Spencer, 85, of Summit Twp., passed away November 27, 2023. Services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. There will be public gathering from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Service will immediately follow at 11:00 am. There will be a private burial of ashes at a later date.
Bob was born on August 21, 1938, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Harold and Anna (Ziefel) Spencer. Bob married Cheryl Spencer, on July 19, 1986, in Jackson, Michigan and they remained married until her passing in March 2023. He will be remembered for his love of music and his commitment to teaching music, especially the trombone. He began his career at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois before moving to become band director at Columbia Central High School in the 1970’s. He left Columbia for several years and returned to the music program there in the 1990’s and remained at Columbia until his retirement. Bob also had his own “big band” and played at many events and locations in Jackson and Spring Arbor. Many of Bob’s former students became musicians themselves and taught others to play and appreciate music. His legacy will live on in the lives of the many musicians he trained and influenced. One of his highlights was playing his trombone with the Temptations for their Michigan tour.
Bob will be missed by his children, Gregory Spencer, Kimberly Spencer, Stephen (Kneli) Spencer; step-children, Aleta (Bill) Damm, Heather (Matthew) Papp; Laura (Nelson) Ashbrook; a sister, Patricia (Jim) Marks; grandchildren, Ashley (Brett) Bush, Elorian (Matt) Landro, Jonathon Damm, Sarah Damm, Sgt. Blake Peterson, Shea Spencer, Rachel Peterson, Sierra Childers, Matthew Papp, and two great grandchildren; He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Cheryl; a brother, Donald Spencer and many close friends.
Please leave a message of comfort for Bob’s family or sign his guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
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