Dr. Robert Bennett "Bob" Welch was born to Thomas Earl Welch and Malinda Leona Welch on February 20th, 1935, in Neon, Kentucky. Even prior to high school, Bob excelled at being a musician and trumpet player. It would set a course for his later life as a musician and music educator.

Bob graduated from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963. He obtained his Master of Arts degree in 1967 from Morehead State. In 1984, he was awarded his Doctor in Musical Arts from the University of Kentucky.

He held the position of Band Director at the Letcher County High School in Neon, KY from 1957 to 1958, at John I. Burton High School in Norton, VA from 1958 to 1963 and at Eastern High School in Middletown, KY from 1963 to 1967. He also served as Orchestra Director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra from 1963 to 1968. He and his award-winning high school band programs developed a reputation for excellence.

Bob continued his music education career to the college level at Western Carolina University from 1968 to 1979, where he held positions of Director of Bands and later, Music Department Head. He was also the conductor and music director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra from 1972 to 1978. He founded a summer music camp for young musicians, and a summer music festival by bringing in high-level orchestral musicians from New York to perform in residence for the season. He taught a generation of dedicated music educators who shared his joy in making music, and in inviting others to join in that passion.

From 1979 to 1984, he was the Division Head of Fine Arts at Limestone University in Gaffney, SC. He was also Director of Bands, and inspired another generation of music educators. He took both concert and Jazz bands to tour and perform in Belgium, and hosted an exchange group in return.

He became Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA in 1984. He continued that role through 2000. He was also the founding conductor of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra from 1990 to 1995.

Bob retired from his distinguished career as a musician and music educator after 44 years, and 300 guest conducting and clinician engagements. He moved to Roswell, GA in 2000 to enjoy a life near his children. Grandchildren were produced shortly thereafter.

He passed away suddenly on the morning of March 4th, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce, his two sons, Robert Keith Welch, and David Bennett Welch, and their wives Elaine Welch and Susan Welch. There is one granddaughter, Riley Welch, and two grandsons, Matthew Welch, and Thomas Welch.

Bob shared his joy and passion with all of us. We, his family by blood and by choice, will continue to be very proud of him and the many memories he has left, and with the legacy we continue to leave from his influence.