Robert Edmund Hooper

Robert Edmund Hooper, 88, of Calgary Alberta quietly departed this world on March 31, 2012. He was born in Calgary on October 23, 1923, the only child of Percival and Matilda Hooper, his childhood spent in Sibbald Alberta and later in Bowness. Through piano instruction at home Robert’s mother introduced him to an abiding love of music. With proceeds from the sale of milk and eggs, Robert rode the street car into Calgary to study music theory, organ and voice instruction, which continued through the University of Toronto and was completed in 1958 when he studied in conducting, opera and organ at the Guildhall School of Music in London, England. In 1957 Mr. Hooper married his student Eileen Robinson who survives him. The couple founded Foothills Music and for over fifty years welcomed hundreds of students into their home to explore the joys of piano, organ and vocal music. Robert was a dedicated, lifelong member of the Rotary Club. A gentle, yet disciplined and intensely principled man, Robert’s greatest joy was to open the wondrous experience of music to others. He served as the organist and choirmaster at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Calgary from 1951 through his retirement in 2008. Among numerous pursuits he was a founding member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association, representative of Trinity College of Music from 1950 – 1980, business manager from the Calgary Society of Organists from 1971-1994 and was Impresario for the Foothills Opera Association. A Funeral Service was held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 66 – 7 Street NE on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm., with Reverend Markus Zeuch officiating. Interment followed at Queen’s Park Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Mr. Hooper’s memory may be made directly to the endowment fund of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, St. Matthew Lutheran Church organ fund or the Calgary Humane Society. The family wishes to thank Miriam Winstanley, Renee Haraga, Marion Robatzek, Nilda Vidal, George (Kofi) Owoo, Dana Salter and members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, who have dedicated their time and talents to Mr. and Mrs. Hooper’s care and comfort. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

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