Robert (Bob) Palmer Taylor

Bob and his mom, Maybelle Palmer, moved to Cassadaga, NY, where his father, Robert C. Taylor, was living in the house he built on Cassadaga Lake after he was discharged from the Merchant Marines during WW2. His dad taught Jr. High Science and had a business in his garage called Taylor Boat Sales where he fixed boats.

Bob started playing the French horn when he was 8. He graduated from Cassadaga HS and earned a degree in music at Fredonia State. In the summers he worked at the large grocery store in the Chautauqua Colonnade and made deliveries to people on the grounds. One day, Shirly Dort walked into the store, they started dating and were married in Hurlbut Church in 1968. After the wedding, they immediately drove to Norfolk, VA where he was in the Navy School of Music. This was during the time of the Vietnam War and his birthday was first in line to be drafted. He was stationed in Corpus Christi, TX and played in the Navy Band in many parades, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Sadly, he also played taps for soldiers who were in Vietnam.

After serving for four years, Bob and Shirley moved to Bloomington, IN where Bob earned a graduate degree in School Administration but ended up being a Software Engineer. He moved 26 times working for different businesses. Some of his locations were in the states of AL, AK, CA, AZ, MA, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, and VA. He ushered at the National Cathedral for 2 years. Eventually, he moved back to Cassadaga to take care of his mom who had cancer and lived to 91 and his dad lived to be 95. Shirley and Bob happily reunited in 2007 after being apart for 33 years. Bob used his computer skills to arrange several travels a year which included NYC, Virginia, Florida, Utah, California, Hilton Head, Toronto, Paris, London, Mexico, and several cruises. The trips were affordable through Time Shares and accumulated points.

Bob loves classical music and also the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (his favorite song of theirs: Come All Ye Saints). Bob played his French Horn in many bands including the Air Force Band near Boston, the Warren Symphony, the New Horizon Band, the Thursday Morning Brass, and the Community Band at Chautauqua.

A Memorial Service at Hurlbut Church (33 Scott Ave, Chautauqua) will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2024, followed by a lunch downstairs.

Suggestions for donating in Bob’s memory: The Washington National Cathedral Music Department in DC, Chautauqua Fire Hall, Food for the Poor, Feed the Children, or the Heifer Foundation.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com