Robert Haskins Jr.

Robert James Haskins Jr., age 77, of Wilmington, OH, passed away Friday evening, September 25, 2015 at the Wilmington Nursing and Rehab Center.

He was born December 27, 1937 in Denver, CO, son of the late Robert James Haskins Sr. and Marie Evelyn Benton Haskins.

Jim spent several years studying music at the University of Denver before transferring
to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Music and
a Master of Arts in Sacred Music. He pursued a Doctoral degree in composition and
musicology at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His distinguished
musicalcareer included teaching on the faculty of the Wilmington College Music Department for the46 years where he conducted the College Chorale and founded the Collegium Musicum early music performance ensemble as well as performing professionally as a cellist, pianist, conductor and organist.
As a composer Haskins along with his long-time collaborator, the late Dr. Allen Koppenhaver was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to write three one-act operas for the 1976 Bicentennial. Other major commissions came from the Dayton Phiharmonic, Dayton Bach Society, and Wilmington College. The outcome of one such commission from the Dayton Bach Society resulted in a setting of Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s poem “At Sunset Time”. The choral work was eventually performed and recorded by the United States Airforce’s Premiere Choral Ensemble, The Singing Sergeants.
Among Jim’s catalogue of worksare full length operas, chamber operas, symphonies, various genres of sacred music,concerti, works for brass, wind and chamber ensembles, numerous songs, and solo organ. He has four listings in the Library of Congress including his 1966 opera “Cassandra Southwick”.The remaining three resulted from his association through the renown organistharpsichordist and composer, Dr. Barbara Harbach, founder of Vivace Press Publishing Company.
Professor Haskins was one of the founders of the Springfield Civic Opera which
later became the Ohio Lyric Theatre.  In addition to his activities in Springfield he served as the Chorus Master of the Dayton Opera.
Over his lengthy career as a cellist, Haskins played in the Denver Symphony, the
Springfield Symphony, the Dayton Philharmonic and was the principle cellist of the
Dayton Opera Orchestra.
Jim loved to play jazz piano and was a member of the jazz trio “A Touch of
Class” with Roger Sprague on bass and Charlie Hargrave on drums. He occasionally
freelanced with such players as Barry Campbell, Rick Johnston, Chip Murdock and
Martin Giesbrecht.
As a member of Wilmington First Christian Church, Haskins was active in various
ministries serving as Organist, Chancel Choir Director and Elder as well as being
a participating member of the Chancel and Handbell Choirs and providing
solo piano and cello service music. Additionally, he founded the Central and
Southwest Ohio Model Railroad Club which still meets at the church.

Surviving are wife, Elizabeth Anne Haskins, whom he married on June 23, 1973 in Chillicothe, OH, four sons, Robert Scott (Susan) Haskins of Greeley, CO, Raymond Charles Springfield of Denver, CO, Robert John (Jenna) Haskins of Oviedo, FL, and Christopher Thomas (Amber) Haskins of Zanesville, OH, seven grandchildren, Allie  Haskins, Charlie Haskins, Melanie  Haskins, Kyle Haskins, Eric Haskins, Alex Haskins, and Conner Haskins, sister, Kathleen Mashburn of Lynchburg, VA, half sister, Patricia (Lynn) Schott of Littleton, CO, many nieces and nephews, and one great niece.

Memorial Services will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 120 Columbus St Wilmington, with Pastor Dr. Tom Stephenson officiating.  Interment will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wilmington.

Friends will be received from 2:00 until the time of the services on Saturday.

The Fisher-Edgington Funeral Home is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed to the First Christian Church of Disciples Organ Fund or the Wilmington College Music Department.

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