Dr. Robert M. Baxter, 91, directed St. Paul’s choir
March 12, 2020
Dr. Robert Marti Baxter of Myrtle Beach, a music teacher and choral director, died March 2 at Waccamaw Community Hospital. He was 91.
He was born March 12, 1928, in Williston Park on Long Island, N.Y., the son of Mary and Harry Baxter. After high school, he entered the Navy and served two years during World War II. After the service, he attended Oberlin College in Ohio and graduated in 1952 with a degree in music.
In 1957, he met and married Eva Martin Baxter. They lived in Marathon, N.Y., where he taught school. In 1959, he earned his master’s degree in education from New York University. In 1960, he and his family moved to Fairfax, Va., where he taught in the Arlington School System for 30 years.
In 1970, he earned his Ph.D in musicology from the Catholic University in Washington.
The Baxters moved to Myrtle Beach in 1991.
During his 31 years in Virginia, Dr. Baxter directed several church choirs. For four of those years, he was bass/baritone soloist at the National Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He also did lots of concertizing during those years. This continued after moving to Myrtle Beach.
He was currently director of traditional music at St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church. He was director of the chancel choir at the church for over 25 years.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by five children, Melinda Sparacio of Strasburg, Va., Robert Martin Baxter of Paris, Michael Baxter of Harrison, Va., Russell Baxter of Acworth, Ga., and Roger Baxter of Chesapeak, Va.; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chancel Choir Fund at the church, 180 St. Paul’s Place, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.
