Robert Curtis Pope

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Robert Curtis Pope, whose remarkably eclectic career included social work, the ministry and a half-century as an acclaimed drummer in the Minneapolis jazz scene, has died. Mr. Pope, who was 74, died at his home in Bloomington on August 12. The cause was apparent heart failure related to complications from diabetes. Mr. Pope's life was the story of three distinct yet interrelated professions. Educated in philosophy and religion at the University of Minnesota, he became a social worker for Hennepin County from 1952 until his retirement in 1985. Concurrently he was licensed by the Unitarian Universalist Church as a lay minister, serving on the staff of the First Universalist Church and becoming a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka. His compelling presence as a preacher caused him to be a highly sought guest minister at congregations throughout the Upper Midwest. It was, however, his passion for music that brought Mr. Pope his greatest satisfaction and acclaim. Beginning with his membership in the Bill West band in 1944, he forged a career as a drummer that provided him the opportunity to work with some of the nation's foremost jazz musicians. Arriving on the scene at the dawn of the ``beep-bop'' era, Mr. Pope played with various small groups in Minneapolis throughout the 1950s and 1960s at jazz clubs such as ``Freddy's'' ``Herb's'' and ``The Poodle''. His work there and with his own trio saw him perform alongside artists such as Chet Baker, Johnny Griffin, Georgie Auld, Sonny Stitt and Johnny Smith. Perhaps his most rewarding work came as a member of the Herb Pilhofer trio that made many recordings and appeared on ``The Steve Allen Show'' in 1962. Mr. Pope continued his professional drumming until sidelined by foot problems in 1998. Bob Pope was also a familiar face at classical music events, and especially pipe organ concerts throughout the region. His extensive collection of pipe organ recordings and his attendance at virtually every area recital made him a frequent contributor to pipe organ scholarship and a sometimes contributor to Michael Barone's national radio program, ``Pipe Dreams''. Mr. Pope is survived by his wife of 35 years, Constance; two daughters Roberta (Carl) Hardwick of Phoenix, Arizona, and LeahJ ansen (Jay) Lindgren of Edina; and three sons, Brant (Barb) Pope of State College, Pennsylvania, Kenneth (Diane) Pope of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jordan (Deb) Jansen of Lubbock, Texas. He also had eight grandchildren and one great- grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lanford and Doris Pope, and his brother, James Pope. Mr. Pope's first marriage to Myrna Law ended in divorce in1967. A memorial service will be held on August 26th at 2:00 PM at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 (651-227-6311). Memorials preferred to the Evergreen Club Scholarship Fund for emerging musicians, 115 Glen Creek Rd, Fridley, MN 55432

Published on August 20, 2002