Robert Charles Tull

On Monday, March 8, 2021, beloved musician and educator Robert Charles Tull passed away at the age of 78. Born in Australia in 1943 to his now deceased parents Frank Hall Tull from Arkansas and Violet Harriett Lepper from Western Australia, Bob traveled with his mother to America with many other Navy brides during World War II. Bob attended UT Austin for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education. He performed as second trombonist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra for almost 30 years, where he met his surviving wife Paula E. Bird. Bob is best known for his service as a middle and high school band director. He touched many young students and infused them with a love of learning and appreciation for classical music. Bob was a lifelong member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Bob is survived by his wife Paula E. Bird, and Bob’s four children Michael Tull, Karen Harlow, Wendy Boning, and Jonathan Tull, along with 14 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren with two more expected in the coming months, several nieces and nephews, and his three brothers, Terry Tull, Frank Tull, and Les Tull.

Bob loved restoring old cars and won several awards for his 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe. He spent hours in his expansive shop to restore his old car collection. He continued to write big band arrangements for the Hill Country Jazz Band that he formed and performed with for several years in the local Wimberley community. He spent many hours enjoying his stamp collecting hobby and loved gardening, fishing, and living on the ranch in the Central Texas Hill Country outside of Wimberley. After retiring from the symphony, Bob played bass guitar with the church worship band for several years and trombone for the community Starlight Symphony Orchestra, where he also performed as a soloist.

Bob’s most significant impact may have been felt by his students, many of whom reached the pinnacle of performance success as members of the Texas All-State and Region Orchestras or Bands. Bob loved teaching and sharing his love of music with students, both in the classroom and in the private studio. His students fondly remember their experiences with Bob as their teacher.

A memorial service will be held at a later time when family and dear friends can safely gather together to celebrate Bob’s life and his legacy of memories, music, and country living. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given in Bob’s memory to the Austin Symphony Orchestra, 1806 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78701.