Robert Jerome Sidle Sr.

Robert was a great student, on every level, making high marks in elementary, middle, and high school. He was a wonderful trombone player in high school. Robert was a graduate of “Old Anderson High”. He graduated, “Valedictorian” from Anderson, in 1948. While Robert attended Anderson, he met and married Lois D. Bunton. To this union they were blessed with four children: Tomitra Jo, Robert Jr., Joan Evelyn, and Sidney Harold Sidle.

In 1948, following high school graduation, Robert was accepted to and attended Huston Tillotson College, majoring in Music and Math. Robert completed his Bachelor’s Degree in 1952. After graduating, Robert went on to become a high school Band Director.

Immediately following graduation, Robert received his first Band Director’s job located in Livingston, Texas, where he taught for five years. In 1957, Robert was offered a job in Seguin, Texas, where he taught for six years at Ball High School. Robert commuted back and forth between Austin and his third assignment, in San Antonio, Texas. Robert was contracted to start up a band in St. Louis, Missouri. In this year-long commitment, he was given the gift of integrating the school system. In the four towns where Robert taught, his bands always received high marks at various competitions. During Robert’s forty-five years of teaching, Band was his passion.

In 1972, Robert married Josephine McKnight. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Lark Anthony, Wendy Michelle, and Brandon Jerome Sidle.

 In 1996, Robert met his goddaughter, Mellisa McConnell. She cared for him and made sure his needs were taken care of in his later years. She was his friend and confidant.            

Robert’s Character and Passions

As a father, Robert could be described as “strong-willed, strict, but intelligent.” “Dad,” as we called him, was a lover of politics, Newsweek, Time Magazine, and CNN. He had a friendly side and a smile that was contagious. He had one trait that his daughters, sons and grandsons share and that is, every few sentences he would laugh. “Quite entertaining!” Dad loved rules and chores. He thought that built character. He loved pecan pie, music, sports, and cooking. He was an avid golfer. He caddied as a boy and loved the way golfers dressed. He mentored and influenced a multitude of students whose lives have been enriched by appreciation of and in performance of music.

Robert liked to look professional. Wearing a suit to work daily, he believed in “dressing to impress”! Not once did we see him in a pair of blue jeans. In his final years, he still believed in looking his best.

Our Dad succumbed quietly on the morning of April 9, 2019, while getting ready for dialysis. Robert is survived by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, family and friends