Robert Bruce Yelin

Robert B. Yelin 70, passed away at his home in Boca Raton, on Friday, July 3 2015. His passing was swift and very peaceful after years of illness and disability. He died as he lived, happy and loving with his wife Harriet at his side. Bob was born in Yonkers, NY September 25, 1944 to Paul and Libby Yelin. He graduated from New Rochelle High School and went on to New York University for four years. On his fifteenth birthday he would receive a gift that would set the pattern of his life – guitar lessons. From that day forward music became the passion of his life, the blood running through his veins. At NYU he majored in commerce but by the age of eighteen he was playing guitar professionally all the while working in the family business in the garment industry. He married and had a son, Douglas in 1970, and to support his family developed a large teaching practice. He later divorced and leaped into performing, arranging, and composing with even more passion. In 1980 Bob remarried and he and his wife Harriet were happily married for 35 years. During that time they moved from New York to Denver where Bob taught at University of Colorado, made a record then back to NYC and on to Andover, MA. Bob’s health was failing and he was forced to stop performing but music kept him going as he wrote five books of jazz guitar arrangements which are primarily used in music colleges. During this time he started collecting and then selling jazz guitar and Brazilian CD’s. He also was a collector of beautiful guitars. It had become difficult for Bob to get around in ice and snow, so in 1993 the couple moved to Florida. That expanded his ability to move around and enjoy his life of nature, his adored dogs and of course his music. Robert Yelin left a legacy of music, humor, love and generosity. His many friends around the world will have those wonderful memories. Bob leaves behind his wife Harriet, son Douglas, brother Larry (Maggi), sister-in-law Ginny (Jack) Petty, nieces and nephews and those many special people who helped him through his illnesses. We will celebrate his life at First United Methodist Church (East) in Boca Raton, at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 11, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be sent to The Florida Humane Society, 3870 North Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33073.