Robert “Bob” Kirkland Love, was 79 years old when he passed away on Saturday September 21, 2002 at his home in Medford after a brief illness. Robert was born in Melrose on December 12, 1922. He is the son of Robert and Millicent (Knipe) Love. At the age of nine he began taking piano lessons and progressed to play the organ at the age of twelve under the tutelage of Dr. Edward Snow of Trinity Episcopal Church of Boston. At the age of fourteen, Bob became the organist for St. Paul’s Episcopal Parish of Malden and soon, at the age of seventeen, became Organist and Choir Master of this church.
He graduated in Malden High School Class of 1940 and attended Boston University where he majored in music and received his Masters Degree in 1946. During his senior year of college, Bob started teaching instrumental and choral classes at Malden High School on a part time basis.
When Bob was the Director of music in Malden High School, he taught music appreciation and theory which instilled thousands of students the love of music. During this time, he became Director of the Chamber Orchestra, and the Choral Art Society. Bob would perform concerts at different nursing homes around the city and traveled throughout the States giving concerts. In 1964, he transferred to Melrose High School to become head of the Music Department and Director of the Melrose High School Band until his retirement in 1972.
Bob continued as organist and choir director in St. Paul’s Episcopal Parish for over twenty years until becoming the Minister of Music at First Baptist church in Malden where he stayed as organist and choir director for forty five years.
During summer months, he was the Director of Music at Camp Lanakila, part of the Aloha Camps, in Fairlee, VT. for forty five years, except for a five year period when he was the Director of Music for the Bretton Woods Boys Choir in Bretton Woods, NH.
Bob was instrumental in starting the Ecumenical Church Choir of Malden, which has performed Christmas Concerts at the First Baptist Church of Malden for the past forty six years. He was also the Director of the Choral Art Society Alumni, which would perform concerts throughout the area. Also, the Bob Love Community Chorus sang at the 9/11 services of remembrance at the Malden Government Center.
Robert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Malden and St. Paul’s Parish of Malden. He also is a member and prominent in the American Guild of Organists and would perform concerts throughout New England and other States.
Robert Love lived in Medford, MA. the past forty nine years having moved there from Malden in 1953. He is survived by his brother John F and sister-in-law Ingelore Love, of Vancouver, WA. and his nieces Vivian M. Love and Victoria D. Otsuka of CA. He was preceded in death by his sister Judith A. Love of Medford.
Contribution in Robert’s memory may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 246 Walnut St. Waltham, MA. 02158
“In Remembrance” by James Southbridge
Organ played by Ms. Marilyn Glover