Robert C. McSpadden ’43

ROBERT C. McSPADDEN '43

A nationally recognized tenor soloist who appeared twice at Carnegie Hall, Bob died Jan. 5, 2007, of complications from a stroke at the Hospice of Cincinnati. He was 84.

Born in St. Louis, he came to Princeton from Hughes High School in Cincinnati. He was active in the Chapel Choir, Glee Club, Band, Theatre Intime, Triangle Club, and Gateway Club. He majored in music and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

After three years with the 97th Army Infantry during World War II, Bob joined the Cincinnati public schools, where he taught vocal music for 17 years and was a consultant for 14. He founded the Cincinnati Boychoir in 1965 and directed it until 1977. He was on the radio-TV faculty for the Cincinnati College of Music from 1952 to 1957. For eight years he was a vocal soloist and actor on WLW radio and WLWT television. He played bass fiddle with area bands and sang, acted, and directed for the Cincinnati Music Drama Guild. He appeared often with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and sang comedy leads for three seasons with the Cincinnati Summer Opera.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Jean Katherine Gellhaus McSpadden; daughters Sandra O'Leary and Patsy Carroll; five grandchildren; two step-granddaughters; and 10 great-grandchildren.