Robert Duane DeCou

Robert (Bob) centered his life around music and family. Born October 26,1937 in McPherson Kansas to Donald andMarguerite DeCou, he grew up in Manhattan, Kansas where he developed his love for playing the french horn. His passion for music took him to Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts inMusic Education and a Masters in Music. This is where he reconnected with the love of his life and future wife of 56 years, Donna Frey. Bob and Donna were married in 1959 and moved to Seattle where they lived the rest of their lives.

For 30 years, Bob taught middle school music for Seattle Public Schools, specifically at Denny Junior High and Hamilton Middle School. He also taught at Seattle Lutheran Schools after his retirement. He passed his passion for music to hundreds of students. His greatest strengths as a teacher were helping his students laugh at mistakes and making learning a joyful process.

Bob and Donna were faith-filled and dedicated Presbyterians. They were always involved in the Presbyterian church, where Donna would later become a pastor. Bob played french horn, sang in the choir and led various volunteer groups. He also played professionally for the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, The Paramount Theater, The 5th Avenue Theater and Cascade Symphony Orchestra, where he was honored in 2012 for 50 years of playing.

Bob was a devoted father to his three daughters. He took them camping, on trips to Kansas and brought a great sense of humor to their lives. Bob always had a newspaper comic or mystery novel to share.

He loved being a grandfather too. He loved reading The Boxcar Children to his grandchildren, taking them on moped rides, creating gardens for them in his yard, playing trains with them and shopping for silly treasures at The Dollar Store. Bob passed on his love of music to his grandson, who currently plays in the UW Husky Marching Band.

Bob always had a dog by his side. He made sure he adopted misfit, rescue dogs. Dogs were important family members.

In retirement, Bob enjoyed volunteering for his church and the Seattle Public Library system, teaching private music lessons and playing in various classical music festivals.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Donna Frey DeCou and his brother Frank DeCou. He is survived

by his daughters Andrea DeCou (Lila), Ellen Coble (John) and SusanMathes (Darin), grandchildren Alycia Prekaski and Bryce Coble, brother Larry DeCou (Karen) and sister in law Estalee DeCou, nieces, nephews and hundreds of music students.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 1:00 pm on July 16, 2022 at Wallingford Presbyterian Church 1414 N 42nd St. Seattle,WA 98103. Masks are required. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Old Dog Haven (olddoghaven.org) in Robert DeCou's name.