Robert Wendell Kidd

Robert W. Kidd, 75, of Cummaquid, died on January 29th, 2015, at Cape Cod Hospital. Bob fought a 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer with courage, dignity, and determination. He was the adored husband of Janet Ellen Kidd for 19 years.

Born in Pittsfield, Bob was the son of the late Wendell R. and Loretta M. Kidd. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Lowell in 1962 and earned Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Boston University. He was a member of the Alpha Kappa chapter of the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda. Dr. Kidd was Professor Emeritus of Cape Cod Community College, where he taught for 28 years and was Chairman of the Department Of Fine And Performing Arts. Bob was also a faculty member of the Cape Cod Conservatory, and served as choir director for 5 years at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Barnstable and for 9 years at the Federated Church of Hyannis. He loved his students, and was extremely proud to be able to lead his college chorus in performances at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and Salisbury Cathedral in England, among other locales. He was also fortunate to participate in the Fulbright-Hays scholarship program, studying in China in 1990 and in Poland in 1993.

Bob was a talented musician who specialized in early music and was able to play a variety of instruments. He conducted and directed numerous orchestras and choruses throughout his life. He was a trumpet soloist on four CD’s for the Silver Foxes, and received a wonderful tribute on WOMR-FM last week, in which they featured him playing “I Remember Clifford”. He also played Dixieland Jazz with his close friends in the Eastover Reunion Band and the Salt Water Jazz Group, and led the Brentwood Consort, in which he played recorder and several other instruments, and the Brentwood Brass, in which he played trumpet. He loved to tell jokes and funny stories and was known to repeat his favorites many times. Bob was also a lifelong athlete who ran many marathons, including Boston, Long Island, Ocean State, and the 5 College Marathon in Western Massachusetts, and was always encouraging others to run, walk, and stay fit. He and his wife Janet enjoyed golfing, skiing, and travelling abroad, and visited many European countries. Their favorite adventures were to Italy, Eastern Europe, and London.

In addition to Janet, Bob is survived by her children, Erik Lovequist and his wife Melissa of Billerica, and Betsy Coppa and her husband James of Savage, MN. His granddaughter Katherine Ellen Coppa was very special to him, and he was thrilled that she has begun to play the recorder and the trumpet. He also leaves his sister Nancy Butterworth of Pittsfield and her husband Hal, his niece Amy Fyden of Hadley and her husband Anthony and daughters Tia and Cassidy, his nephew Steven Butterworth of Pittsfield and his fiancée Stacia and daughters Harmony and Zoe, his beloved cousins and their families, and his wife’s sisters and brothers-in-law and their families. He treasured his many friends and fellow musicians.

His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 12:00 pm at the Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main Street, Hyannis, MA. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the church.

Donations in Dr. Kidd’s memory can be made to The Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main St, Hyannis, MA, 02601, the Tufts Medical Center, Oncology Unit, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, or to a charity of one’s choice.