Robert (Bob) Paul Kahn

Robert (Bob) Paul Kahn, age 90, of Northfield, MN, passed away at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, September 27. Bob was born in Belleville, WI, on March 9, 1933, to Clara and Casper Kahn, and raised in Sauk City, WI. He studied piano from an early age, played church organ in his teens, and was active in Scouts, earning Eagle Scout rank. After graduating from Sauk CityHigh in 1951, he began his studies in music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A highlight during his education was marching with the Glockenspiel in the Rose Bowl parade in California. He served in the army, traveling to Korea during the Reconstruction as a chaplain’s assistantand organist. He taught piano in the Madison area, and  completed his Masters in Piano Performance at UW-Madison in 1968. Bob married Garda Vaughan in 1966 and they had two children, Charity and Jane-Marie, whom they raised in Beaver Dam, WI. He was the music director at Wayland Academy before founding Kahn Piano Studios. He also worked as anorganist and choir director for United Methodist Church, as a wedding and funeral musician, and as an accompanist for hundreds of junior and senior high students at Solo & Ensemble. He was a pillar of the arts community in Beaver Dam. Bob and Garda moved to Oak Forest, IL, in 1991  where they spent 13 more years teaching music, enjoying the cultural life in Chicago, and celebrating the arrival of four grandchildren. They retired to Northfield, MN, in 2004 where Bob continued to play organ and share his talents at the Senior Center. Bob was predeceased by his parents Cap and Clara, brother David, and sister Mary. Bob is survived by his wife Garda; children Charity (Daryn Roven) Kahn and Jane-Marie (Bill) Bloomberg; grandchildren Jasper, Corrin, Silas and Aletta; step-grandchildren Jonathan and Sophia; brother Dennis (Christine) Kahn; nieces and nephews Kathy, Karl,Kenny, Melissa, Zach, Amy and Carrie. There will be a private, family celebration of his life this November. If you’d like to honor Bob, please consider a donation to his memorial tree grove here: https://www.treesforachange.com/pages/Robert-Paul-Kahn