Robert Guenzler ’53 ’56


Robert Guenzler ’53 ’56
of Aurora, Illinois, died Dec. 30, 2021. He was 90. Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in music education while studying vocal music and French horn at Illinois Wesleyan. He was drafted into the U.S. Army just one month after marrying Mary Ann (Hagmeyer) Guenzler ’53, and he later returned to IWU on the GI Bill to earn a master’s degree. Bob began his career as an educator in Charleston, Illinois, before spending the majority of his career in Illinois School District 218, where he worked at Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harold L. Richards and Alan B. Shepard high schools in suburban Chicago. Bob was an active member of the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association. He was a leader in the National Association for Music Education and served as chair of the Retired Music Teachers Association. Bob was a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus for 28 years. In retirement, he continued to perform in regional choruses and played the French horn in community orchestras. He and Mary Ann were members at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, Illinois, where Bob sang in the choir. Bob and Mary Ann never lost their love of learning and desire to serve their communities; they registered voters, worked as election judges, and were recognized as Illinois Wesleyan’s Loyalty Award winners in 1998. Bob adored his family and could always be found at his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, school events and family celebrations. He is survived by his wife, daughters Susan (Guenzler) Getz ’77, Marsha Guenzler-Stevens ’78 and Pamela (Guenzler) DeBoer ’82, six grandchildren, including Amy DeBoer ’15, and three great-grandchildren.

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