During my nine years as pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman it was my privilege to get to know Bob as his friend, as a Christian, and as a fellow musician. His contributions to that wonderful town still live on. He has been a winner!

Former Mid Prairie band Member
All my siblings were band members and our family always had 
Someone in high school band from 1964 to 1980
We have very fond memories of Mr Gaston by all of us
He started our band training in summer before 6 th grade
Our parents and all of us kids had so much fun with him.
It was really fun when he brought his band of retired people
To play at Mid Prairie once.
Greg was in my brother’s class at MP school
The world will be dull with out his jokes.

The Wright family


Mr Gaston always had a smile on his face.  I was a student when he had those thick eyeglasses.  He would always pat me on the head and say, " You can't go wrong with Wright" because my maiden name is Wright.  All 5 of my siblings and I had Mr Gaston.  I really enjoyed being in band.


The Mid-Prairie Community shares in the sadness felt by the Gaston Family and we send our condolences to them for the loss of Bob.   If you google "great man," I have no doubt that Bob's picture will be one of the first photos listed.  He not only served the district with distinction, but his influence on our students and families will be felt for generations to come.  He was a kind and generous man and was always a joy to be around.  The world's music is a little less sweet because of Bob's passing.

He was the BEST band teacher I ever knew.  His name still echoes through the halls of Mid-Prairie High School.  It was so much fun to go on trips and march in parades.  We went to Washington, DC for the first trip he ever did (1970).  Two years later, I lived  and worked in DC.  I went and looked up the place we were housed in and when married, went to the military base and attended the annual performance that I had seen three years before.  So many memories and he will be missed and remembered by so many.
Elaine Allensworth Martin,  Mid-Prairie graduate 1971

Both my husband and I worked with Bob for many years.  He also worked with our daughters in the Mid Prairie band.  He was a wonderful, caring man and always a positive force in our buildings.  He loved to tell a story, or joke and just enjoyed being around people.  We loved his devotion to his students and all the success he brought to our schools!  RIP, Bob, a job well done!  And, our deepest regards to the family.

I remember Washington cherry blossom festival parade we worked so hard to get there and the jazz band won the first place trophy for best smaller city band over california was such a great time out there he was such a hard working person when it came to perfection he will be missed.  RIP Mr. Bib Gaston !!!!

Mr. Gaston was an inspiration. He taught me how to look past the notes on the page in jazz band and play the keyboard with heart. RIP Bob - you gave so much to so many!

Mr Gaston would get so excited when we would play the right notes! I learned about the beauty and excitement of people joining together to make music by watching him direct and join in that process.  I so appreciate him now.  As  a twirler and sax player,  band was one of the best parts of high school.

Gaston Family, Bob was on my mind last week and now I know why. I'm so very very sorry. Such a great and amazing man. I admired his dedication and the love he had for his family, students, and music. I appreciated his encouragement and valued his friendship. He holds a special place in so many hearts young and old. May God bless you all and may His peace and love comfort and strengthen you always. Love and prayers to you all, Cindy 

I had the great pleasure of working with Bob while at CASI. His devotion to the band was unquestionable. Missing a practice wasn’t an option for him.  His sense of humor and willingness to work together made it a pleasure to work with him. My condolences to the family. Rest assured he’s probably already conducting. God Bless. 

I remember Bob in his great role as Caiaphas in the First Pres. production of Jesus Christ Superstar.  He nailed it, as I'm sure he always did.  Bob always had a dry joke to share with others, and I was pleased to often have him seek me out to share such a joke.  He was a giving, loving, melodious man of God.
Tom Ervin


    The many testimonials to Bob reflect an  amazing person.  After retirement he went to form a whole new band that started with six people that eventually grew to sixty-five.  It spoke well for his wonderful way of giving all the over-fifty players a new lease on life in music. We met weekly,  laughed at his groaners, and formed  friendships brought together in music. 
     Even as Bob's health became an issue he always expected the best from himself and the band. Eventually, Bob gave up his baton but turned up for our concerts. He was is well loved.  Sympathy to Marlene and his children Heather and Greg. Somewhere his baton is reaised for a band of angels.

I have no idea how long I knew Bob but I enjoyed our annual visit immensely  For years he tried to recruit my long extinct tuba skills Bob was a special vibrant person who will be missed God bless you Bob 

He was a great teacher, and very much respected by me.

Having played in 4 symphonies and many chamber groups over 29 years, I can think of "Mr Gaston as the catalyst for my musical odyssey. I clearly remember the day in band class when he said we have a new teacher who is willing to teach bassoon. Does any one want to learn. So he set me on my path but even more he showed me by example how to love music and share that love with others. Safe travels sir. My love to his family.

Mr. Gaston made a difference in my life.  He is a very remarkable soul.  

Class  of 1966 Mid Prairie

RIP Mr. Gaston. He was an excellent and beloved band instructor and leader for both orchestra and marching band.  He talked me into being in marching band and playing football at the same time, lol. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Mr. Gaston was a huge inspiration to all of us at Mid Prairie, be it Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band or going to Band & Instrument Contests.   Mr. G led the way, he always had a way of bring out the best in everyone, and then challenging us to go to the next level, then he would literally step back and watch us fly.  Rest in Peace Mr. G.

And to to my Good Buddy Greg, my heart breaks for you.  Old Friend it's been a long time, but our thoughts are with you and your family.  May the Lord  strengthen you, and uphold you.


This man changed so many young people’s lives, his dedication, drive, and musical talent was unbelievable. I shall never forget him, I graduated the class of 74 and our trip to Disney World was one of my best memories of HS. It was because of him we were able to do that, even though many morning practices would find us cussing under our breaths because it was freezing cold, we were able to march that long parade with ease! Thank you for your years of service Mr. Gaston may you listen and direct the angels above! 

We have good memories of you as our next door neighbors and want to send our thoughts of love and sympathy at this time of your loss. 

We are all better people for knowing Bob Gaston.  Music was his soul

I will never forget the alumni pep band at Mid-Prairie we put together in the mid-90s.   Alumni flocked to the loft knowing Bob was going to be there that night.  It was packed.  We had no idea when he was going to be there but as we went into halftime of the first game and started playing “Go U Northwestern” this drum sound took over and there was this tall man with a huge smile on his face playing a snare drum that just drove the song.  It was a night I’ll never forget.  We talked that night when I could pull him away from his former students, but what a reunion it was!  
I feel very honored to have been a part of MPHS’s history along with Bob.  
I took over for Bob in the fall of 1991 when he retired. Laura McLaughlin had switched with Bob and took the HS and he took the elementary bands for a year, but she went back to the elementary in 1991.  I still consider Bob the Band Director from Mid-Prairie’s beginning until 1991.  
Did you know that MPHS has only had 3 (4) HS band directors in its history?  Other than Laura’s year, my 7 years was the shortest stint. 

I had Mr. Gaston at Mid-Prairie high school.  He was an amazing band instructor.  I didn’t think I was a good French horn player but apparently he did.  I remember when my grandfather passed away he took my brother David and me in his office and offered his condolences.  He was a great guy.  So sorry to the family for your loss.  GOD bless him.

“Mr. Houseal, you’re playing piano in the jazz band.”
With that, this high school junior went from drums to keyboards. I was terrified. Instead of notes, there were pages scribbled with letters and numbers (CmAug7?) over slashes / / /. But that’s how Mr. Gaston forced all of us to be better than we knew we could be. From teaching us to march to encouraging us to perform in regional bands to shepherding us all to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
I’ll never forget the year he pulled players from each section and had us perform as a percussion ensemble without instruments! Using only hands and feet, we prepared a complicated piece and practiced in secret. When we performed for contest, I remember the perplexed faces of the judges as we clapped, slapped our knees, and tapped our feet. He was upset they didn’t give us a “1,” but I think he enjoyed challenging expectations.
He was passionate about music, truly cared for his students, and enjoyed teaching more than anyone I knew. I guess that is obvious because he continued to teach music the rest of his life. 
Because of him, I went on to play and teach, and some of my students did as well. There is no telling how many people can trace their involvement in music directly back to Mr. Gaston.
Warm memories and prayers to his family, and may he Rest in Music.

Thanks for being an educational mentor and great friend. I started our relationship being your student and became your colleague. You were always supportive and filled with great humor and terrible puns. Lots of terrific musical and travel memories with MPHS students. 

I had Mr. Gaston as band instructor during my time at Mid-Prairie (1966-1970), and there was no teacher more enthusiastic about life and music than he.  He always projected a positive attitude, and made you feel there wasn’t anything that could hold you back if you put your mind to it.  I can’t think of a person I have ever met that had more of positive impact on his students than Mr. Gaston!  May God bless him and his family!

Bob was one of the best!  Always a professional, warm and engaging. Bob Gaston reflected his joy of life and his love of music to all around him.  Truly an inspiration. We are blessed to have known him.  

I will always remember Mr. Gaston in Mid Prairie high school band and marching band.  I never thought I was any good with the clarinet, but he always encouraged me.  He had a gift and love for music that will always be remembered.

My sympathy to Bob’s family.  I have so many fond memories playing flute in the MP marching and concert band with Mr. Gaston!  He was a great teacher and mentor to so many of his students over the years!    May he RIP.  

I remember the great smile on the Chief's face when he held aloft the 1st Place trophy from the Jazz competition at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. in 1979!  He re-wrote all of the 4th trombone parts into treble clef so that I could play baritone in the Jazz Band.  The five of us who went on to be in the Hawkeye Marching Band that fall gave him a signed copy of our album.  Bob was a great teacher and mentor!


When I was just beginning mastering the flute I attended school at West Chester. I recall taking summer band lessons at the school and thinking how neat it was that Mr. Gaston  rode a bike from Wellman to West Chester to teach. Also remember in band being able to "challenge" a colleague with a more skillful seating assignment called a "chair" as in 1st chair, 2nd chair, etc.   I was part of a competitive  "challenge" with a colleague and we would numerous times "challenge" one another in order to "outrank" each other with Mr. Gaston as the judge. Eventually Mr. Gaston said it was time to finalize the seating as it was. Also admired Mr. G's strong pride as we performed in the Mid-Prairie High School band which, in turn, caused me to feel proud of our band.
Rachael Reschly Roth   



Sorry for your loss.  Mr. Gaston was so full of life and his willingness to take teenagers where they were and encourage them to be something more, was a gift to all.  He called me to his office one 10- minute break and  out of the blue asked me if I would be the vocalist for the jazz band.  I wasn’t singing in any group at the top me so this was highly irregular.  It began for me years of singing in various contexts and changed my life.  I’m guessing my story can be repeated in a variety of ways by many others.

I didn't join band until my junior year, but by then I had to because all my friends were having too much fun there and I felt left out! Bob was the greatest teacher I ever had--band was the highlight of my day. His talent was immense and I'll never forget him. He will be missed.

Everyone had come to our house for either a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, as I can't remember which. He sat at Madeline's little kid table in a chair made for a 4 yr old. The two of them played games for quite awhile. She, and we, always enjoyed spending time with him.

To my dismay I was never a student of Mr. Gaston’s at Mid-Prairie, but I did get to sing with the jazz band my senior year (79). Bob was a legend, and I was in awe of him and his talent. My most vivid memory, though, was attending a concert at MPMS as a parent. It was the New Horizons band, and I remember seeing all the seniors shuffle in-some in wheelchairs, using walkers, canes, looking quite feeble; and I wondered what could possibly come of this. When they played, I got my answer. I was BLOWN AWAY by the talent and genuine love for music from these folks! I forced my kids to continue with their band instruments (you’re welcome, kids) because I knew that music was something that could never be taken away from them. Thanks, Mr. Gaston, for sharing your love for music with the generations. 

I will always remember Bob as my high school band teacher and how faithfully he promoted music.

 Bob Stagner Triumpet Mid-Prairie High School

I remember as a little girl watching him bicycling from West Chester to Wellman in the snow. Then one day, I got a clarinet, and joined the band. He was my elementary band director and then in the high school band at Mid-Prairie High School. He had me switch from a reed instrument to the French horn. He was a wonderful mentor to his students, we laughed at his jokes, he got us great music to play and the most wonderful memories. Thank you Mr. Gaston you will live in our hearts forever.  Wendy Redlinger class of 1974.

I worked with Bob at Mid-Prairie,  Kalona Elementary!  He was so fun to work with and brought joy to anyone he met!!!  I also worked with Marlene!  My heart aches!  They are both just very good people!!!!!

OBITUARY

Robert "Bob" E Gaston Jr

October 29, 1931 – September 11, 2020

Weerts Funeral Home

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