Günter (Constantine) Bischof

Born in Munich, Germany, on January 15, 1945, he was the son of Barbara (Hecker) and Johann Bischof, who preceded him in death. After graduating from the Musikhochschule, Günter went on to teach music at the Richard Strauss Konservatorium in Bavaria and performed with numerous European orchestras throughout Germany. His time as a clarinetist in Munich led him to more than just music — it was there he met a Greek percussionist named Nicoleta, the woman who would become his wife.

In 1981, Günter and his family immigrated to America, where they opened a music school, Philomusica, in Los Angeles, introducing young children to the world of music. Following the devastating earthquake in January 1994, during which they were at the epicenter, Günter relocated his family to Colorado to begin a new chapter. There, once again with Nicoleta — and this time with their son Nicholas — they opened Philomusica in Fort Collins in 1995.

The Bischof family continued introducing children ages 2 to 5, along with their parents, to the instruments of the orchestra. Over time, the school expanded to include pre-piano classes, private lessons in a wide range of instruments and voice, and eventually a performance hall. Philomusica served Fort Collins and Northern Colorado for more than 20 years.

Günter was never an idle man, and he was also an excellent cook. In 2015, after retiring from the music school, he opened a German food cart. Günter’s Bavarian Grill became known for German potato salad, brats, and his famous Krautburgers. The cart closed in 2019 at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. For the past five years, Günter stayed closer to home, selling his wife’s baklava and Greek coffee in front of their house. He greatly enjoyed meeting people in the community and chatting with customers.

Günter was blessed with a deeply fulfilling life. Playing clarinet and teaching music were his life’s work. He felt he had done what God intended for him to do on this earth and in his lifetime. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

Günter’s legacy lives on through his loving family. He is survived by his wife of more than half a century, Nicoleta; his sons Alexander, Nicholas, and Christopher; his granddaughter Stella; his sister Edeltraud and her husband Peter; his nephews Günter and Peter; and his niece Brigitte.

A Trisagion Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Saint Spyridon Orthodox Church in Loveland, Colorado. An open house Celebration of Life will follow at the family home.

Memories of Günter and words of condolence for his family may be shared at resthavencolorado.com