Robert W. Hennell III, 70

ORRVILLE — Robert W. Hennell III, age 70, of Orrville, died Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at his home in Orrville, following a period of declining health.

Rob was born on September 9, 1952, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to the late Robert and Emily (Catrino) Hennell and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1970.  He received a MusB, Magna Cum Laude, in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in 1974 and went on to earn his MusM in Conducting from BGSU in 1977.  He married Elizabeth Jameson on July 7, 1984, in Orrville, Ohio.

He worked as the Director of Bands for Antwerp Local Schools from 1974 to 1975 and 1977 to 1980 and was a Graduate Assistant at BGSU between ’75 and ’77.  He then began his 31-year career as Director of Bands for Orrville City Schools, instilling a love of music for thousands of students until his retirement in 2011.

Rob was the conductor for the Orrville Community Band from 1981 to 1990 and a member of the Orrville Exchange Club since 1982.  He was a member of ASBDA and OMEA, holding numerous chairmanships through the years in both organizations. Rob was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Mu.

Inspired by the greatest generation, he was an avid reader of primarily American History and maintained an extensive book and stamp library.

He enjoyed baseball and golf, coaching Orrville Youth Baseball in the 90’s and Orrville High School Golf teams from ’01 to ’08.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Hennell of Orrville; son, Joseph Hennell of Orrville; daughter, Jaclyn (Josh) Jeffers of New York, NY; a granddaughter expected; aunt, Joann (Ivan) Rosenstrach of Larchmont, NY; cousin, Marianne (Rick) Duncan of North Royalton; sisters and brother-in-law, Carol (Tom – dec.) Lantz of Wooster, Scott (Marianne) Jameson of Somerset, MA and Julie (Dave) Frazier of Grand Haven, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at Christ United Church of Christ, 301 North Main Street, Orrville, with Rev. Brian Burke officiating.  Burial will take place at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, www.parkinson.org or Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691, www.lifecarehospice.org.

Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.