ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – A long-time Winthrop University faculty member who dedicated his life to music has passed away.
Robert “Bob” Rydel died on June 24 from a brain injury stemming from a heart attack five days earlier. He was only 54 and is survived by his wife and two children.
A music lecturer, Rydel had taught courses on the French horn since he joined the Winthrop community in 1994. Outside of campus, he was known for his above and beyond work with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
According to a June 30 Charlotte Observer article on Rydel’s passing, he performed as a third horn player with the symphony and served on its board of directors. During the pandemic, he implemented his audio engineering experience to run radio broadcasts of the symphony for WDAV, Charlotte’s classical music public radio station, and brought equipment to shoot concerts to livestream on social media.
“He was fiercely committed and so diligent,” his wife, Chris, told The Charlotte Observer. “He had a fire about him, for sure. And I think that’s part of the love we have for him.”
Rydel had spent seasons with the orchestras of Charleston, Columbus and Jacksonville, as well as forging relationships with orchestras in Atlanta and Pittsburgh. During the summers, he participated in programs such as the Pierre Monteux School, the National Orchestral Institute and the National Repertory Orchestra. His two production companies, Acoustic Mobility and Acoustic Annex, worked with Centaur Records, Pro Organo, World of Opera, Performance Today, WDAV Classical Public Radio and the Charlotte Symphony in addition to many others. He also served as assistant director of recording at the Brevard Music Center.
Rydel attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy and went on to study at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Arrangements have not been finalized.
For more information, contact Nicole Chisari, social media manager, at 803/323-2236.
