In the same moment that we are saddened by Bob Grappel’s unexpected passing, it is well that we remember the countless happy occasions and ways he touched upon the lives of so many of us. Most had the benefit and good fortune of knowing him in many, if not all, of his capacities—gifted academic, computer systems engineer, poet/author/publisher, musician, recording artist, tutor, instructor, performer, jam mate, benefactor, philanthropist and, most especially, friend and companion.

His accomplishments and advanced degrees in academics, computer science, and as a senior staff member for Air Traffic Surveillance Group at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory (including as a publisher and patentholder) are noteworthy but not our focus, here. We are musicians and Bob was one of us…a truly creative and gifted artist, a member of our music community who not only participated in but helped shape and advance it, always in company with his devoted wife, Lynda Cohen.

Bob was deeply involved with most major autoharp festivals across the country, certainly as participant, sometimes as organizer, and often as workshop leader, contest competitor, or open stage performer.

In company with Lynda, they instituted the annual Mountain Laurel recording grant program that bears their name and that has benefited numerous grateful artists. Less well known, obviously, but no less appreciated, are several instances of anonymous philanthropy; some spontaneous, others well-thought out and on-going that supported the autoharp community or needy individuals in it. If Bob saw a problem that some sudden manna from heaven could alleviate, he was immediately there for it.

As a longtime staff writer, he regularly contributed classical (and other) music articles to the Autoharp Quarterly and also taught classes at festivals and during MLAG cruises. And, oh, the cruises. Some may have known Bob and Lynda best as shipmates in those adventures which they very seldom missed.

Bob released two CDs, one in company with Lynda, featuring a wide variety of music and styles, including classical, Broadway, folk, brass band, and Celtic.

Succeeding as a finalist, twice, in the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Championship, Bob was frequently a determined entrant in autoharp contests, never failing to entertain the audience with impressive and technically difficult pieces. As well, he and Lynda were two-time winners of Mountain Laurel’s Leonard Reid Open Stage Performance award. He was also an invariable and enthusiastic participant in after-hours jamming.

Bob was a respected philosopher, poet, author, and publisher of several volumes of poetry. He most recently volunteered his editorial skills in researching, collecting, collating, and writing the considerable history of the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering in an entertaining publication titled “History of a Gathering.”

Robert Grappel was a distinguished and respected professional, a talented and accomplished contributor in the arts, unfailingly thoughtful and generous, a patient listener in conversation, and a gentle and intelligent friend, whose passing will leave a lasting hole in our lives. We miss him already.