Robert Rapp, 86

Robert M. Rapp, 86, passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Calvin Community in Beaverdale, Des Moines.

Robert was born in Essex and raised in Red Oak, where he played saxophone in the high school marching band.

He earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from Drake University. He also earned a PhD in musicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He married Dorothy Davies of Des Moines.

For 29 years, Mr. Rapp was director of choral music at the University of Evansville in Indiana.

After the death of his wife, he married Mary Robinson.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Des Moines; three sons, David, of Washington, D.C., John, of Beloit, Wis., and Rev. James Rapp, of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.; daughter, Susan Heerdink, of Evansville; brother, Dr. J. William Rapp, of Hideaway, Texas; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Betts Jr., of Des Moines.

Memorials may be given to Iowa Hospice Foundation.