Robert M. “Bob” Troxell, Lancaster, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2023. “Trox” was widely known for his decades of leading the Bob Troxell Big Big Jazz Band at scores of performances for fundraising and human service organizations in the Lancaster area. Born in Danville, PA on April 25, 1923, he was the son of the late Merrill Troxell and Nelly (Dockey) Troxell. He was the spouse of Katherine B. Troxell, who preceded him in death in 2021 after 70 years of marriage.
Raised in Shamokin, PA, Troxell was active in sports and music. He attended Penn State after graduation, but his academic career was put on hold when he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps Flight Training program in 1942 during World War II. After completing one year of pilot training, he later became an Aerographers Mate 3/c where he assisted with weather forecasting, primarily off the East Coast and in the Caribbean.
Following the war, Trox returned to Penn State in 1946 where he earned a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1948. While at Penn State he was elected president of Acacia Fraternity, vice president of the All-College Student Government Association, and Lion’s Paw, a men’s senior honorary organization. He also played in the Blue Band, as well as several jazz bands as he worked his way through college.
Troxell was employed his entire career (1948-1989) by Armstrong Cork (World Industries) Company. He had assignments at manufacturing plants in Pittsburgh, PA; Macon, GA; and Braintree, MA before he was transferred to Lancaster, PA in 1957 as Manager of Industrial Engineering for Floor and Industry Products. He had various roles throughout his time in Lancaster including leading the company-wide development of computer disaster recovery plans, as well as working as an instructor in the quality process that Armstrong implemented, which led to more effective operations throughout the company.
He was very active in the Lancaster community. He was a fund solicitor for the United Fund and on behalf of the YMCA and YWCA. The Big Big Jazz Band, and its accompanying Dixieland Connection, played well over hundreds of fund-raising events for over 40 years. It is estimated that they helped raise over one million dollars for those organizations. They also played numerous jazz worship services as part of the Lancaster Summer Arts Festival at First United Methodist Church, where Troxell was an active member, and several other houses of worship around Lancaster. Trox will be remembered for his trademark plaid pants that he wore when leading the Big Band.
Trox’s love of music, and his desire to instill that love in younger generations, led him to help with local jazz bands at Lancaster Bible College and local high schools. Two of his favorite expressions were “Keep your powder dry” and “Hang by your thumbs and write if you get work.” Trox was known for his quick wit, which he displayed until the end, having his children and grandchildren laughing at his bedside.
Bob is survived by a daughter, Merrill K. (Judi Skilton Horry), Charleston, SC, and a son, Robert B. (Diane Martin), Lititz, as well as 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A private service is planned for the family.
Jim Cluck says
So sorry to hear of Trox’s passing. He has been a musical inspiration to many local musicians and will be sorely missed.
Rob Troxell says
Thanks Jim. Dad really enjoyed having you in the band, and of course talking Penn State.
Karen C Smith-Kernc says
Trox will be sorely missed by the musicians who worked with him, his many fans, his friends and his family. From his red and black plaid suit to his racoon coat he was a lot of fun and made us all better musicians. It was a joy to know him and share our joy of music. We’ll miss both Bob and Kay! We grieve with you. Find comfort in the many wonderful memories of them both that we all share.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Karen. Dad spoke highly of you and Al and enjoyed spending time with you both.
Joyce Beam says
My deepest condolences to Rob, Meredith and the entire family! I know that now Bob is with His Lord and reunited with his love Kaye!
Everyone in the Kerr family has wonderful blessed memories of your family and special events and concerts!
My favorite is Bobs playing and acting as “MC”
at my wedding! He brought a warmth and humor and love to this joyous day for Barry and me!
I will always treasure his laugh and warm hugs!
We were all blessed to know Bob and Kaye!
May God bless you in the coming days and months
Love
Joyce Kerr Beam
Rob Troxell says
Hi Joyce,
Thank you for the kind words. Our family has always appreciated the Kerr family. I’m glad Dad was able to participate in your wedding.
Best to you and your family.
Rob
Jack W French says
I knew Bob at Armstrong in the late 70’s/early 80’s in data systems, and was delighted to find out he was a member of FUMC when I joined the church in the 90’s. As a musician myself, I enjoyed some of the events he provided with what he called his “Big, Big, Big Band”, and later at the church. I took great interest in reading about his events in the newspaper and was always impressed with his expansive spread of joy through music. My respects and condolences to the family.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Jack. He had a passion for music was creative in ways to use it in worship. We appreciate your kind words.
Rob
Ken Husler says
SO VERY SORRY for your loss. Bottom line, Bob was a friend, mentor, and fellow musician in a variety of settings. But more importantly, he and Kay were the consummate professionals in every way regarding each endeavor they undertook. Bob and Kay will forever remain a significant part of my evolution as a person, and I am grateful to have met and spent valuable time with them!
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Ken. What a fantastic tribute!
Best to you and your family.
Rob
Brian Gates says
Bob was a friend (and Circle A co-worker) of my father, Bob Gates. I met Bob (my Dad always called him Trox) a number of times over the years through that relationship. He was a great guy. I also would see him when I was with my father taking in the Stan Kenton Alumni Big Band when they would come east for concerts and clinics in the late 90s/early ’00s.
Deepest condolences to the family.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Brian. I haven’t heard Stan Kenton’s name in quite a while. What a great memory to hold onto.
All the best to you and your family.
Rob
Steve Rempala says
EvAnn and I are deeply saddened to hear of Trox’s passing. I first met him in 1974 when I started with Armstrong, but it took me 13 years before I moved to Lancaster and could join his band. What a great time it was.
I have so many wonderful memories of he and Kay, and so many wonderful musical experiences. Perhaps the most memorable moment was when we presented an autographed poster designed by my daughter of the BBJB playing at St Marks UMC. Kay told me they hung the picture in a place in their house that they could see every day. How special.
Besides music, I also enjoyed working with Trox on long range growth plans for the First UMC. He was so excited to see growth for the church, and was like a little kid when we discussed different ideas.
Our condolences and prayers are extended to his family during this time of grieving.
Chet Williamson says
Trox was one of the nicest people that I ever met in my years of working at Armstrong. He always had a smile and a joke, and how he loved his music! I always enjoyed hearing his band. His was a life well lived, and he will be remembered with great affection by everyone who knew him.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Chet, for the kind words. He certainly lived life to the fullest.
Best to you,
Rob
Ron Tweed says
Dear Rob and Merrill,
We had the great pleasure of knowing your parents for nearly 60 years, though work, music, and church. Both your Dad and Mother had the gifts of welcoming warmth to all those around them. We have memories, as do you, that we will treasure always. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this special time.
Sincerely, Ron and Pat Tweed
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Ron and Pat. We’re glad you were able to be good friends of our parents for so long. Ron, yours is a name very closely associated with BBJB memories for us. Thank you for all you did to support the band.
All the best to your family.
Rob
Connie Callman says
I was very sorry to learn of Trox’s passing last Monday. From the obituary it seems that he had those he loved most with him when he passed. How wonderful for him that he could stay at home till the last, as he wished.
Budd and I had many happy evenings together with Trox and Kay at the Club; fascinating conversations for sure!
I told his friend Bill Mehler of his death and of course he asked me to pass along his condolences.
And naturally my deepest sympathy to all his family. I know dear you all are to him.
Rob Troxell says
Hi Connie,
Thank you for the kind words and for being such good friends with Mom and Dad.
All the best to you and yours,
Rob
Austin an Zell Rich says
We cannot express our loss after all of those years of rearing families together and enjoying life with Bob. We wish there were more direct ways for us to communicate with Rob and Merrill. At least this way you know we are deeply affected. Please let us know of how we might express ourselves in the way of memorials gifts that Bob would appreciate.
Rob Troxell says
Hello Riches,
We certainly had some great memories of growing up with your family and the Honigs. Many picnics, fireworks, etc together. If you would like to contribute in Dad’s name, please consider donating to Mennonite Disaster Services.
I’m local and in the phone book (if they still print them).
All the best to you both and to Cay.
Rob
Austin an Zell Rich says
We cannot express our loss after all of those years of rearing families together and enjoying life with Bob. We wish there were more direct ways for us to communicate with Rob and Merrill. At least this way you know we are deeply affected. Please let us know of how we might express ourselves in the way of memorial gifts that Bob would appreciate.
David W. Cooper says
The Lancaster music world has lost a great supporter, as well as a great musician. You will be missed by many area musicians.
Karen Goldstrom Bennett says
As Don Goldstrom’s daughter, so I grew up with Bob. It was always fun to listen to him and Dad playing in our living room, planning fundraisers and just having a good time. His laugh was contagious and always in good supply, because he had a wonderful sense of humor. But, he also had a warmth about him and a sense of peace. Perhaps that’s why, when Mom was in the hospital and Dad suffered his first heart attack, it was Bob she called to sit with me, while I waited for news about Dad. His presence comforted her and me. My husband and I also had the pleasure of joining the Saturday night dinner club on occasion at the Lancaster Country Club. It was especially fun for us when your Mom and Dad were there, too, contributing stories that left us laughing and with a warm spot in our hearts. It’s hard to see such good people leave us, but I know they have reconvened the band and are making beautiful music for all the saints who have gone before them to enjoy. Please know I am holding your dad in my heart and wishing you the peace and comfort that comes with knowing what a truly good life he led.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Karen. Your family always held a special place in hearts of the Troxells. Dad missed your father tremendously. The last couple of years since my mom passed, when Dad would say who he missed, Goldy was always the person he mentioned right after my mom. They are indeed reunited and playing in the heavenly band together.
All the best to you and your family.
Rob
Molly Haggblom says
Dear family,
Please allow me to tell you how sad I am regarding Bob’s death. He was a great musician! I enjoyed playing with him in different events; it was a lot of fun! My late husband, Gene, also appreciated his musical abilities and that Bob Troxell’s BBJB always had high quality musicians to play with.
He was a good man with a warm heart and cared for everyone.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Molly. The Haggloms had a special place in the band, and consequently in Dad’s life. I appreciate the kind words.
All the best to you and yours,
Rob
Phil Capp says
Bob was a wonderful friend and a terrific musician. I occasionally sat in with the BBJB and was welcomed by him and the rest of the band.
When Jim Sheckler passed away in 2021 a few members of the Moonlighters Big Band were invited to play for his funeral service.
Bob called and asked if I could give him a ride to the funeral home since he was going to sit in with the group as they honored Sheck.
I picked him up and during the drive to the funeral home and back he told me story after story about his days at Armstrong, his ( and my) good friend Don Goldstrom and the BBJB.
It was a ride I will never forget.
Bob did sit in with that impromptu band and when it came time for him to take a solo he was right on the money as everyone expected he would be.
We will all miss him.
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Phil. Dad was 97-98 when he played at Sheck’s funeral. That was his last public performance. Thank you for the kind words and for sharing that memorable ride. He never lacked for telling stories.
All the best to you and yours,
Rob
Dr. Jerry Rothacker says
My deepest sympathy to the Troxell family, the Bob Troxell BBJB members and “subs”, and the Lancaster community. We have lost a great man who showed many of us how to play the trombone, lead a band and have fun while making lots of money for the non-profit organizations in Lancaster. His love for Kay was a model for those of us juggling careers, avocations and family.
In the spring of 2016 the Auscultation Brass and Trox’s New Orleans Jazz Connection got together and did a fundraiser for the Lancaster Council of Churches Food Hub. Bob had the vision and his buddy, Don Goldstrom, did the art work for our publicity brochure, dueling trombone players. I count as a prize possession the original pencil drawing which hangs on my study wall.
I have no doubt that the heavenly choir has gotten a lot livelier!
Rob Troxell says
Thank you, Dr. Rothacker. Dad always loved to play, and if it could benefit others, all the better. Thanks for sharing your memories and for the kind words.
All the best to you and yours,
Rob
Tom and Barb Yingling says
We were so sad to hear about your dad’s passing. We have been neighbors of your parents for over 30 years (we live in the Honigs’ old home). What great neighbors and friends your parents were! They welcomed us with open arms when we moved into the neighborhood; they were warm, friendly, engaging, smart, caring, (and musical, of course!), not to mention your dad’s sense of humor and his poetic ability! Each time we did anything little thing for them, your dad would write us a poem to thank us, even into his 90s. When Tom retired, Bob unexpectedly read a poem at his retirement party – something we remember with much fondness.
Your mom and dad truly cared about the neighborhood and their neighbors. They were instrumental in making sure the annual neighborhood picnic came to fruition each year, toting coolers, etc. to the venue. Bob was civically engaged and even went to a commissioners’ meeting with us when he was about 90, expressing concern about a neighborhood flooding issue. He was often making a delicious dinner for your mom, something we noticed when we would stop over to say hi. Tom golfed with him when Bob was 90. That’s a treasured memory!
What special people both of your parents were! We truly loved our interactions with them over the past 30+ years and are so fortunate to have been their neighbors. We will miss them very much.