Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Pastor, piano from childhood church days reunited for lifeWhen the Rev. Richard Bobo, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Chapel in Palmetto, celebrated his 50th birthday last summer, he had no idea that events of that occasion would lead to his coming face-to-face with an old friend from his childhood days and that the old friend would become a permanent part of his life. Richard moved into the pastorium at Ramah Baptist Church in Palmetto with his parents, the Rev. Ralph and Nell Bobo, when the elder Bobo assumed duties as pastor of Ramah in 1958. Young Richard was only two years of age but spent the next 13 years as a part of the Ramah Baptist Church family. He enjoyed playing the piano, both at home and at church, from the age of 5, and was trained under Dr. Philip McGuire of Newnan and Major Ferguson of Woodward Academy in College Park, where Richard was a student. Richards mother, Nell Bobo, says, Richard become the church pianist at a very young age and furnished music for many events. His greatest love was to play the church-owned Steinway grand piano. When a church-related move found the Bobo family relocating to Watkinsville near Athens in 1970, Richard had to leave the Steinway behind but constantly talked about the fine instrument and longed to play it again. But, his music life continued in the Athens area. While he was a student at Oconee High School, he taught piano to local students and continued his own studies in piano, organ and voice. During his last two years in high school, he served as summer camp music director for the Rockbridge Baptist Assembly in Franklin and was in great demand for weddings, school, and community functions. He was awarded two music scholarships to Shorter College in Rome and, while there, Richard continued to serve local churches as organist, pianist and/or music director. But Richard felt the call to the preaching ministry and, after graduating from Shorter, he continued studies in theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., received his master of divinity degree in 1980 and launched into his ministerial career. Leaving his Ramah experiences long in the past, he pastored churches in Memphis, Tenn., Savannah, Jonesboro, Brooks, Douglas County and then, back to Palmetto in his present position. He also is a counselor for the aged, the blind, and the disabled with DFACS in McDonough. But he has never stopped talking about the Steinway, his mother said. Last summer, Richards parents, Ramahs present pastor, the Rev. Tom Edwards, and minister of music, the Rev. Geary Brogden, along with the entire congregation, began conspiring to make Richards 50th birthday one he would never forget. With the help and blessings of all, and totally unknown to Richard, his parents purchased the piano for their son. When Richard arrived at the church last summer for his surprise party, he was greeted by family and friends from all over Georgia, and as far away as Greenville, Ind. Many he had not seen in more than 35 years. His mother said, The look of surprise, as well as the emotion from Richard and all those present, was worth the weeks of preparation for this event. After singing happy birthday, and recounting priceless memories, the group led Richard across the hall to the choir room where the Steinway was located and asked him to perform a mini-concert. As he sat down at the piano, he said, I love this piano. It is the greatest instrument ever created. After the concert, and much to his surprise, Richards parents and the two present ministers of Ramah presented him with the piano as his very own. The emotional moment will always be imprinted on the minds and hearts of everyone present, Mrs. Bobo said, and Richard can hardly wait to have the Steinway moved into his home. |
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