Robert HW Booth

Robert Henry Ward (Bobby) Booth passed away peaceably, July 23, 2007, to a beautiful place befitting his life. Born September 18, 1926, he lived a full life marked by caring, compassion for his fellow man, and a relentless desire to teach, coach and mentor others to improve there own. As a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and teacher, his presence will be forever missed. Robert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sammie Nell Grissom Booth, sons James Robert, Joe Rodney, Jerome Roy, grandchildren Jessica Brie Lindsay, Jerod Robert Booth, Michal Joanne Booth, Madison Jennifer Booth, and great-grandchildren Zoe and Zach Lindsay, brother Bernard Joseph Booth, many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Robert will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his students, his fellow musicians, his friends, and those who enjoyed his music, wit, intellect, and most importantly his sense of decency. He was born in San Antonio, Texas and moved to El Paso as an infant. He graduated from Austin High School, received his Bachelors Degree from the Texas College of Mines and his Masters Degree from Texas Western College. He later completed post-graduate work at Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, the Aspen School of Music and Florida State University. At the Texas College of Mines he was instrumental in the formation of the Varsitonians, an on-campus big band that played at campus parties and functions. He was a veteran, Honorably Discharged from the Army Air Force in 1948 and the Air Force in 1952. In 1951 he began a teaching career with the El Paso Independent School District where he taught music, band and orchestra at El Paso High, and later at Austin High School. His bands and orchestras consistently performed at a superior level leading to accolades at the Texas state level. Robert taught in music education as an assistant band director and orchestra director at Coronado High School until May of this year. At the age of 80, he was motivated to pass his knowledge onto students over 60 years his junior. He was a member of the El Paso Symphony and played trumpet and violin with the symphony for 38 years. Throughout his musical career Robert performed with touring stage shows, rodeo and circus groups and the Ice Capades as a fill-in during their El Paso performances. He also led a number of music ensembles that played throughout the southwest, including the Bobby Booth Orchestra, the Sunland Dixieland Band, the Windy City Jazz Ensemble, and various quartets, quintets, and jazz ensembles. He enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow musicians in the Music Unlimited Rehearsal Band. His list of accomplished private students that progressed into positions of acclaim and positions of life long careers in the music education field and musical accomplishment is noteworthy. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the El Paso Federation of Musicians. He helped initiate one of the most successful cultural programs in the history of El Paso, the Music Under the Stars program that now entertains thousands of music lovers at the Chamizal National Park. Many are not aware that the early years of this free concert series were held at R.E McKee Stadium at Austin High School and R.R Jones Stadium at El Paso High School before they moved to Memorial Park in the early 1960’s. He was a member of the City’s first Arts Resources Department Board of Directors that supported the expansion of the program to the Chamizal National Park. However, he was not simply a musician, music educator, and supporter of the Arts. He was a youth coach. His skill on the baseball diamond and his understanding of the great American game made him a superb coach whose teams routinely were league champions and vied repeatedly for City of El Paso championship honors. As a member of the Eastwood Optimist Club, he coached baseball, football and basketball. His basketball teams excelled with one team winning the City Championship. But his greatest attribute was the way he dealt with the people he encountered. He enjoyed attending and serving as usher at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He routinely extended his time and energy to help those with whom he came in contact. Robert (Bobby) Booth was a family’s patriarch, a musician’s musician, a player’s coach, a friend’s friend and a gentleman’s gentleman. Pallbearers will be Mike Davis, Matt Davis, Mitch Davis, Joey Booth, Jimmy Booth, Fred Paz III, Mark Saenz, and Al Anderson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Jimmy V Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Art Project or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. A funeral service will be held at 9 am, Friday, July 27, 2007 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church located at 7050 McNutt Rd, La Union, NM 88021. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery at 11 am with Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net