Below is Bob's obituary, supplied by his daughter, Janna Schwuchow Beanblossom.

Robert Carl Schwuchow, 72, of Decatur, passed away, December, 21, 2012 in Sylvester, Georgia.

 Memorial Service for Bob Schwuchow, 72, of Decatur will be Saturday, January 19, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Reverend Lillian Eddleman officiating.

He was born to the late Carl and Dorothy Schwuchow, December 21, 1940 in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Bob graduated from Decatur High School 1959 and received a B.A.  in Music Education from Western Kentucky University. He also received an M.A.  In Music from East Carolina University where he began post- graduate studies.

Bob was a high school and college band director in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia. He married the late Ardith Singleton Schwuchow in 1967. They were both teachers in Atlanta when they relocated to Decatur and partnered in Decatur Band Instrument Company which they owned for over thirty years.

Bob was passionate about making a difference in the lives of students with music.  He encouraged students and band directors by promoting   a foundation for success through school band.

Bob Schwuchow has died. His presence will be sorely missed by the Class of 59. Don Church, a close friend of Bob, has composed the following message.

Bob Schwuchow and I grew up together in west Decatur. His father started us on cornets in the third grade.I have tried to help him since he started to come to UAB.as he had no one but  his daughter .                    Bob Schwuchow passed away on Friday,the 21 day of December, on his birthday at Phoebe Worth Hospital in Sylvester Ga. He had been suffering from throat problems last week.In the Spring, Bob hit somthing with his foot. Being a diabetic with neuropathy, he did not notice it and gangrene set in.The doctors at UAB had to take his foot off  up to his knee. He has been recuperating with his daughter, Janna, in Syvester,at Pine Shadows rest home, until he could not hold his food down. In the last year, Bob lost his wife Ardith,and his mother, Dorothy. His sister, Sandra died 2 years ago. Janna and Russell Beanblossom are all the family he had left. After Bob sold his  music store in Decatur, he sold commercial property for Barran Realty. Bob has asked that his body be given to UAB for research.