For the last 20 years, Bob, as he likes to be called, was the organist at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In 1992, he was handbell director, in 1993 he became the Director of Music.
Bob began taking piano lessons in the third grade, and after four years of piano, he began taking organ lessons. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Rockford Lutheran High School, accompanying the choir on the piano, and playing for weekly chapel services. From 1984- 1987, he attended Rock Valley College, and was the first recipient of the Ray Tadlock Music Scholarship. In 1987, Bob began studying at Eastern Illinois University. He graduated, receiving two Bachelor's degrees in music; Organ Performance and Music Theory & Composition. Currently, he plays with the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra, but his primary calling has always been church music.
During the 90's, Bob returned to Rockford, continuing at Redeemer Lutheran Church, married Melissa Buchel, and has two children, Katherine (Katie) and Celeste (Ce Ce).
In 2000, he took a full-time position teaching choir, drama and music theory at Rockford Christian, where he also co-directed two musicals, The Sound of Music, and Meet Me In St. Louis. In 2002, he moved to St. Paul Lutheran School, teaching general music to Kindergarten thru 8th grade classes.
In 2003, Bob began to work on his Master's degree in music at Northern Illinois University, graduating with high honors. His degree was an individualized program, emphasizing organ, music history, theory, jazz, and choir directing.
