Robert Lewis (Bob) Day was born on January 17, 1929, in Trinity, Texas.  He passed away on December 19, 2016, in Boerne, Texas, at the age of 87.  Bob was a graduate of Port Arthur High School, in Port Arthur, Texas.  He directed his first church choir at the age of 18, to which he hitchhiked each weekend.  He graduated from Sam Houston State College (now University) in Huntsville, Texas, with a Bachelor's Degree in Choral Music and began conducting the Huntsville High School Choir at the age of 19.  He later obtained his Master of Music Degree in Choral Music from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.  He was also an Ordained Deacon in the Southern Baptist Church, and a veteran of the United States Army, who served during the Korean War.

Bob was an extraordinary choral musician, easily directing 20 voices to sound like 50.  He delighted in sharing his gifts to the glory of God, wherever his choirs sang.  On December 8, 1956, Bob married the love of his life, Roylene Latch.  He recognized what an extraordinary voice God had given her, and through his encouragement, Roylene became a much sought-after soloist everywhere they lived.  His daughter, Sheri, who was his accompanist for over 20 years, remembers that when she was a child, her father could identify the note she missed while practicing the piano, and yell the correct one from the other end of the house, an ability she found both frustrating and admirable.  Bob was always eager for new challenges, and as a result, he and his family served in churches in California, Missouri, and New Mexico, as well as his native Texas.  Whether traveling to move, going on vacation, or simply heading to town, the family car was always filled with the sound of singing and laughter.

Bob retired from his work in public education in 1992, but continued to lead church choirs until August 31, 2015, giving him over 68 years of service.  In his retirement, it was his joy to reconnect with former high school choir students from the early 1960s who had shared a special bond of excellence, and they began an annual reunion of rehearsals and concerts in California which lasted 10 years.  He was honored that the group of around 60 former students chose to name their reunion choir the R.L. Day Chorale.  Many of those students cite Bob Day as one of the greatest positive influences in their lives.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, H.B. and Maggie Day, his sister, Lottie Hooks, and his brothers H.B., Jr., and Joe C. Day.  Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roylene, and their children and their spouses, Robert Day and Kim Leidenroth-Day, Craig and Ona Beth Day, and Sheri and Dennis Robinson.  Bob is also survived by his four grandchildren, Bryan and Lindsey Day, Elizabeth Day, and Holly Robinson.  Bob received numerous professional awards and served in many honored positions in both public schools and churches, but no award compares to the wealth of friends, choir members, and loved ones he has touched through the years.  Bob spent his life sharing his love of music with his family and his choirs.  The echoes of his influence will be heard for generations to come.