Robert “Bob” Russell Gray, 95, of St. Louis for 65 years, died in his home in Grantwood Village on April 6.

Bob was born on January 24, 1931, in Littleton, New Hampshire, to Chester and Marion (née Bolton) Gray. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston before joining the Tulsa Symphony as a cellist. He moved to the St. Louis area in 1960, serving as principal cellist for the Kirkwood Symphony. For seven decades, he delivered “fun, relaxation and home enjoyment” through music as manager of several music stores throughout the region. He was affectionately known throughout the community as the “Music Man.”

Bob was a popular keyboardist in St. Louis, serving as the pianist for the St. Louis Cardinals Club, conventions and private events. He received several awards within the music retail industry having sold over 20k musical instruments throughout the St. Louis region.

He was a lifelong Mason with Webster Groves Lodge and a member of the Shriners.

Bob is preceded in death by his mother, father and twin sister, Betty Park.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Susan (née Pudlo) Gray whom he married on September 28, 1975 in Crestwood; his sons, Jeff Gray of North Bennington, Vermont, and David (Diana) Rachell of O'Fallon, Missouri; his grandchildren, Joshua Gray of Amelia Island, Florida, Alexandria Rachell of Columbia, Missouri, Grant Laughman of St. Charles, Missouri, and Gabriella Laughman of O’Fallon, Missouri; and one great granddaughter.