Robert George “Bob” Priez, age 80, died on Sunday, December 19, 2021. He was a long-time resident of Hammond, LA and was born at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, son of the late Albert J. Priez, Sr. and Ellen B. (Sculthorp) Priez. He grew up in Algiers where he attended Belleville and Schwartz Elementary schools, and was a 1958 graduate of Behrman High School.
He retired from a 33-year teaching career at Southeastern Louisiana University as Professor Emeritus of Music, having also taught and served as band director at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. He was former music director and choir director at St. Andrew Methodist Church (DeSoto, MO) and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hammond.
He earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Southeastern and Master of Music degree from Indiana University, with additional course work completed at Louisiana State University.
Bob was a Life Member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 174-496 (New Orleans), and began his professional career as a trombonist at age 16. He was also a former member of Local 538 (Baton Rouge), Local 777 (Mississippi Gulf Coast) and Local 2-197 (St. Louis).
He had a life-long interest in electronics and radio and held Life Memberships in the Southeast LA Amateur Radio Club and the ARRL National Association for Amateur Radio, operating with the Amateur Extra class license, WB5FBS. Bob also served in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) as Emergency Coordinator (EC), Assistant District EC and District EC of Louisiana Region 9.
He was President of Elec-Comm, Inc. held the FCC Commercial 1st Class Radio Telephone Operator License with Radar Endorsement, and in 1973 assisted the Department of Speech and Communications to select and install transmitting equipment to establish Southeastern’s radio station KSLU-FM. He continued to serve as Technical Director for its first decade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Albert Joseph Priez Jr. of Boca Raton, FL, his sister Mary Ellen (Priez) O’Quin and brother-in-law James O’Quin of Tylertown, MS.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Ellen Marie (Dantin) Priez; daughters Kira Marie Gilmore of Hammond, LA, Lisa Ann Jackson (Basil) of Austin, TX, Amy Lynn Linn (Mike) of Ponchatoula, LA; grandchildren, Ashley Ponsaa (Brad), Alan James Wozniak Jr. (Jenny), Allison Tilley (Ryan), Reagan Gilmore, Jeremy Jackson, Jordan Jackson, Mallory Linn and Matthew Linn; and great-grandchildren, Ella Rose Ponsaa, Everett Allen Ponsaa, Olivia Maxine Tilley, Emery Ryan Tilley, Annie Brook Tilley, Parker James Wozniak and Patton Robert Wozniak. He is also survived by sisters Doris Ann Buckner (Dennis) of San Antonio, TX and Carol Jean Wilburn (Richard) of Gretna, LA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Harry McNeely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, LA 70401. The Funeral service will be at Harry McNeely & Son Funeral Home with burial at Rose Memorial Cemetery, Hammond, LA.
The family wishes memorial contributions to be made to the Robert George “Bob” Priez Memorial Scholarship in Music by sending a check made payable to Southeastern Foundation, SLU 10703, Hammond, LA 70402 or on-line at www.southeastern.edu/give <http://www.southeastern.edu/give>. If donating with a check, please designate the Robert George “Bob” Priez Memorial Scholarship in Music on the memo line of the check.
Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home - Hammond, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.
A Funeral Service will be held at Funeral Home Chapel - Hammond, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, Louisiana on Thursday at 1:00 pm, with Rev. Eddie Robinson officiating.
Interment will follow at Rose Memorial Cemetery.
