BOB BUDDEMEYER (trumpet) — Bob was a native of St. Louis, growing up in Eureka, where he started playing the trumpet in the fifth grade. He graduated from Central Methodist College where he played in the band, and began a career teaching music. His first job was in Eagleville, a small town in northern Missouri. After nine years he left the teaching profession to go into insurance, and came back to St. Louis when the Missouri territory opened up.

The Gateway City Big Band caught up with Bob in 1974. They asked him to join several times and he turned them down because he was too busy. Finally he decided it would be great to play trumpet again and he joined the band.

In 1983 Bob returned to teaching and taught in the St. Louis Public Schools at the magnet school for music. Bob retired from teaching in 1999 and enjoyed his new life as a golf enthusiast. Bob had two sons, Eden and Roman.

Bob enjoyed being a part of the band. “I always felt this band was more than just a band, more like a fraternal group. They get you through the hard times“, Bob said. Bob recruited many of the members of the band, getting names of potential players from his many contacts. With his infectious smile and sense of humor, Bob was a band favorite. It was easy to tell he liked being a member of the Gateway City Big Band.

Bob retired from the band and passed away in 2001.

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