Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes

Bobby Bruce: Memorial & Celebration of Life

Final Note: Beull Neidlinger

Professional Name: Flame duDillo Wiggy

Former Member. Bass
3/2/1936 – 3/15/2018

Buell Neidlinger, a one of a kind bassist, age 82, died on March 16, 2018, at his home on Whidbey Island, WA. He was born in New York City on March 2, 1936 and started his musical career there. Continue reading →

Final Note: Donald Knapp

Life Member. Drum Set
12/26/1919 – 6/11/2018

Donald Roy Knapp was born December 26, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully in Chicago on June 11, 2018 after recovering from two recent hip fractures. He was the son of Roy Cecil Knapp and Nellie Johnson (Knapp) Shillito. He was married to Lorie Downs (deceased in 1975); and to Kimberly Granger (divorced). Continue reading →

Final Note: Katia Popov

Member. Violin
3/3/1965 – 5/18/2018

Katia Popov passed away on May 18, 2018 from a three-year battle with Ovarian Cancer and left an empty void where she carved her mark. Her determination to beat the disease mirrored her determination to become the best violinist in the world. Although she is no longer physically with us, her music has created a ripple effect that will never leave the musical community or her biggest fans, friends and family. Katia’s devotion to the violin and her love for music was apparent and contagious. She did not shy away from the stage and performing was her natural calling. Learning how to read notes before she could read the alphabet, music was in Katia’s heart and soul. She did not just play music, she played music through her entire being to deliver an experience so ethereal, audiences would be instantly captivated. Not only did her talent leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to watch her perform, but also her personality lit up a room and made people feel warm and welcome in her presence. Continue reading →

Final Note: Leon Ndugu Chancler

Life Member. Drum Set
7/1/1952 – 2/3/2018

by Washington Rucker, Life Member, AFM Local 47

We have lost a giant in the music world, and more directly, a great musician.

My best friend, Ndugu Chancler, was one of only a hand full of drummers who could be recognized by a single name: Ndugu. His moniker was well deserved and well earned. He stood tall among the genre of drummers who spring up… and he stood atop most of them. Continue reading →

In Memoriam: Seta Ksajikian

We are saddened to share news of the passing of member Armen Ksajikian’s mother, Seta.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial the morning of Saturday, June 9 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Read Seta’s obituary from Forest Lawn here.

In Memoriam: June 2018

William (Bill) David Brohn
Life Member. Conductor/Orchestrator
3/30/1933 – 3/13/2017
Survived by siblings

Beverly Carmen (Musafia)
Life Member. Piano
5/1/1929 – 4/22/2018
Survived by cousin

Robert (Bob) Dorough
Life Member. Piano
12/2/1923 – 4/23/2018
Survived by spouse

James (Jack) A. Eskew
Life Member. Drum Set
5/10/1940 – 4/15/2018
Survived by spouse

Ann V. Koons
Life Member. Violin
12/15/1945 – 3/13/2018
Survived by children

Norma A. Peterson
Life Member. Saxophone
2/7/1920 – 5/14/2018
Survived by cousin

Katia Popov
Member. Violin
3/3/1965 – 5/19/2018
Survived by spouse & child

Arthur B. Rubinstein
Member. Conductor
3/31/1938 – 4/23/2018
Survived by spouse & children

Final Note: Todd Lybrand Hemmenway

Member. Cello
9/18/1949 – 11/27/2016

by Susan Cuscuna

Todd Lybrand Hemmenway, cellist, passed away after a brief battle with cancer, on November 27, 2016, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was raised in Northern Virginia and Cape Cod, studied the cello with Orlando Cole at the New School of Music in Philadelphia, and enjoyed his thirty year career in Los Angeles as a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and as a studio musician recording the scores of many films particularly with John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Randy Newman. He leaves behind his beloved son, Sam; wife, Susan; brother Scott and sisters Clare and Dana.

In Memoriam: May 2018

Allen D. Allen
Life Member. Composer
8/26/1936 – 3/23/2017
Survived by spouse & child

Bobb Bruce (Robert Berg)
Life Member. Violin
12/1/1925 – 2/28/2018
Survived by children

Leon Ndugu Chancler
Life Member. Drum Set
7/1/1951 – 2/3/2018
Survived by child

Robert A. Gotthoffer
Life Member. Trumpet
7/3/1922 – 1/17/2018
Survived by spouse & child

A. Clyde Hoggan
Life Member. Bass
4/4/1931 – 2/6/2018
Survived by child

Gelinda S. Quintile
Life Member. Harp
8/18/1951 – 2/6/2018
survived by parent & children

Erika Zador (Gould)
Life Member. Piano
8/10/1922 – 12/22/2017
Survived by spouse & child

Final Note: Bobby Bruce

Life Member. Violin
(1925 – 2018)

Bobby Bruce (Robert Morris Berg) was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father owned a fruit market and his mother Rosie was a comedian and entertainer, performing at several theaters in the Chicago area. Bobby began violin lessons at age 6, and by the age of 9 he would do acrobatics, tap dance, sing and play violin on stage in a Vaudeville act called the Personality Kids on the Keith Orpheum circuit with his mother and older sister Eileen. Continue reading →