Harry Robert (Bob) Apgar, Jr.
1956 – 2024
Harry Robert (Bob) Apgar Jr., of Ewing, NJ passed away on May 1, 2024 at the age of 67.
Bob was born on June 18, 1956 in Somerville, NJ. He grew up on a farm in Hunterdon County and then moved to Baltimore, MD to study music education (clarinet) at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Bob met his one day wife, Sherry, in Baltimore while they were playing a church gig. Sherry took Bob to her high school prom.
Bob was a dedicated educator and musician. He worked as the band director at Fisher Middle School in Ewing, NJ for twenty-five years until retiring in 2014. Though he retired from teaching he did not retire from music, continuing to play clarinet, sax and flute at countless venues throughout the region. He accompanied numerous great artists including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Johnny Mathis. He focused on musical theater in his later years, joining the pit for hundreds of performances at regional theaters. It would be impossible to calculate the number of people who heard him perform over his lifetime.
Bob loved dogs, basketball, and riding his bike. He would often tell stories of Penny, his childhood dog. When his children were young he adopted Princess, who he lauded as the most emotionally intelligent dog he had ever met. He played basketball for many years, from his high school team, to pickup as a young adult, to setting up a hoop in the driveway when his son was young so they could play together. Cycling became his passion after retiring, and he logged thousands of miles per year on his bike. He was a lifelong fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. At the final basketball game he attended with his son and son-in-law, Joel Embiid broke the franchise record for points in a game.
Whenever something broke in their homes, Bob was the first one his kids would call for help. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree and was immensely proud of supporting his children in their educational pursuits. Over the past year he enjoyed spending time with Harrison, his grandson. He was deeply devoted to Sherry and will be missed more than words can say.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sherry Hartman-Apgar, his two children, Samantha (Aaron Pruzaniec) and Nathaniel (Samantha Sanchez), and his grandson, Harrison Apgar Pruzaniec.
Memorial services are 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11th at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. There will be a reception following the service at Marsilio’s Kitchen, 71 W Upper Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ.
Memorial contributions are respectfully requested to Project 440 (project440.org) to honor Bob’s belief that involvement in the arts make you a better person.
Although I haven’t seen Bob in many years, I have many fond memories of playing many gigs with him. He was a great person and musician. Such a tragic loss. My condolences to Sherry and the family.
I extend my support and love to the Apgar family . Bob was a fantastic teacher and musician. He will be missed by many and his wonderful dedication to life and spiritual endeavors. Thank you Bob.
My deepest condolences to Sherry and family. I am so deeply shocked and saddened at this news. I regret that Bob and I haven’t seen one another for quite some time, but we had many great musical times together over the last 45 years. Love and prayers to the entire family. I’m so very sorry for you loss.
Bob was taken from us way too soon. He was both a good friend and a wonderful playing companion. The professional music community is stunned by his loss, not only because he was highly respected for his musical ability and devotion to learning, but he was known to all as a good friend who was always ready to offer words of encouragement, and to support his friends and acquaintances through their own life and professional challenges. His absence will be sorely felt on many levels. God Bless you, Bob.
I can’t tell you how sad it makes me to hear of Bob’s passing. We played many summer concerts on the stage at Point Pleasant, NJ. He was a consummate professional and good soul. I will miss his talent and help he gave.
I’m shocked and extremely saddened by this news. The gig community in the Tri State area lost one of the great ones. As wonderful a musician as he was, he was an even better person and will be missed. Sherry, my heart breaks for you and your family. Although he is gone way, way, way too soon, yours was a beautiful relationship to watch. It seemed like you didn’t waste time, lived and loved your family and each other to the fullest, and I know he was so happy with you and the life you built together. I’m so very, very sorry for your loss.
Sending hugs and condolences to the Apgar family. So sorry for your loss.
Bob was a wonderful neighbor who helped so many of us thru the years! He was always the first one out shoveling snow , lending a helping hand with repairs, and being a very caring person. He always had a smile and took time to stop and talk to people he met. He will be missed!
Bob was a wonderful friend, a loving teacher, and a musical powerhouse. He inspired his students and audiences with his professionalism in performance. He was kind, friendly, respectful, and encouraging to everyone he met. Bob’s influence, his brilliant musicianship, and his selfless devotion will live in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him. Our deepest sympathies go to Sherry, Samantha, Nathan and the extended family.
My condolences to the Apgar family. I played clarinet with Bob in highschool at Del Val. He will be missed by his fellow classmates.
I am so sorry to hear this! Sherry, I’m thinking of you at this difficult time.
He was my music teacher at Fisher middle school and was one of the best teachers that I had in the public schools. He had amazing music choices for us and I will miss him greatly.
I have been working in music my entire life and it began in the rooms he commanded with kindness and authority. He was a man of great talent and skill and always translated that to his students. We got his rhythm and always strived to match it. Although impossible, we will keep trying… as it sit here working in music with hundreds of musicians, the same things he taught me have made their way into my daily life. Thank you Mr Apgar for so many tools I use every day. ❤️
I just read this and couldn’t believe what I was reading. I was in the hospital for back surgery from last Wednesday through Saturday and was very much out of the loop until today. Bob was an excellent musician and a fantastic person. The world will miss him.
Mr. Apgar was one of my favorite teachers of all time. I played piano in his Jazz Band at Fisher in 1991-1993. It was the first time in my life I was playing contemporary music vs classical stuff and he opened a new passion for music in me that I have carried with me ever since. I can still see him “grooving” with the slightest head bop and weave when he was conducting & was really getting into it. He was so kind and a brilliant musician. He taught us all so much. I have always thought of him fondly since then. I am truly so sorry for his family’s loss.
Bob was incredible, musically and personally. An altruist, friend, mentor , and most omnipotent Sage, whom went out of his way to make your gig the best it could be , whether to recommend a player other than himself or bring charts to augment the performance, or offer his home to a rehearsal in preparation for a gig or to just practice with him. I am so grateful to have had the opportunities to work with him, learn from him and to have him as a friend. He was a gift of a lifetime and will be surely missed in so many ways! My deepest condolences and sympathies to Sherry and the family. God bless you all.
Bob had so many wonderful qualities: extremely kind-hearted, a wonderful teacher, excellent clarinet and sax player but most of all a devoted husband and father whose pride and joy were his wife Sherry, his children Samantha and Nathan and new grandson Harrison. Having been Sherry’s roommate at Peabody I witnessed their love for each other grow and was so honored to be the maid of honor at their wedding. I am still in shock after hearing about his untimely death. He was taken way too soon but his memory and legacy will live on through his family, friends and colleagues and the many students whose lives he touched and had an enormous impact upon. My heart aches for Sherry and the entire Apgar extended family.
My sincere condolences to Sherry, Nate & Samantha. Bob was taken from us way too early. He was a phenomenal musician, teacher, kind sharing soul. May he rest in peace
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. I was a student of Mr. Apgar at Fisher Junior High in Jazz Band and Orchestra. I remember him being a great teacher. He was a passionate musician with a great sense of humor.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and may light perpetual shine upon him.
I just heard about Bob’s passing from an old friend. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him for many years, with multiple bands. The consummate professional. My heart goes out to Sherry, Samantha , and Nate. You are in my thoughts and prayers.The world has lost a great man, and an excellent musician. You have certainly left your mark on all of us.Rest in peace my brother.
John and I are so sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. We always enjoyed playing musicals with him and with Sherry. Our condolences go out to all of the Apgar family.
Prayers to his family. He will be missed. I knew Bob as a fellow employee at Fisher Middle. He was always very respectful to everyone.
During my years as Principal at fisher Middle School, I had the pleasure of working with many excellent educators. Bob was one of those teachers. Always dedicated, and always professional, Bob always strived for perfection. In the years we worked together I heard nothing but praise from individuals about his efforts. Bob was one of the good guys, and I will remember him with respect and admiration. My condolences to his family.
I have had the honor of working with Bob on many musical events. I always enjoyed our time together, especially on breaks between shows. He was an incredible musician and friend who always invited others to become part of his circle. Generous and kind, humble and inviting, Bob always made every gig better! Most recently, my son had the honor of sharing musical space with him. Bob made such an impression. He will be missed by many for both his talents and most of all, his presence.
My heart goes out to Sherry, Nate and Samantha.
I am sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. Sincere condolences to the Apgar family. Bob was my son’s coach and music teacher. We have fond memories of time spent with his beautiful family. While gone too soon, he lived life to the fullest and made a positive impact on many.
I pray that the fond memories of Bob and God bring the family comfort during this time of sorrow.
I have been thinking of Bob constantly. He was such a wonderful husband and father. He had a passion for music and family that was electric. He really cared. And he cared about my family too, what a loving person. I will miss him, but I know his family will thrive because of his memories and guidance. So hard. I’m so sorry.