MEREDITH - Dr. Robert E. Preston, 90, formerly of 1480 Old North Main Street, Laconia, died Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Goldenview Nursing Home in Meredith.
Robert Elwyn (Bob) Preston was born in Cambridge, MA on March 17, 1927, the son of Rev. Richard and Marjorie Preston. He attended St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. While there he was captain of the gymnastics team for two years. Upon graduation he attended Amherst College, majoring in music. During the summer terms he worked for the Appalachian Mountain club as a hut man, at Mt. Lafayette (his favorite) and Mt. Madison. He spent these few summers running up and down all the highest mountains in New Hampshire and enjoyed every minute of it.
Mr. Preston earned an MA and PH.D from the University of Michigan, and soon found his love for teaching. While in graduate school he taught music history. He wrote his dissertation on Jean-Marie Leclair and later became a world authority on the composer. A-R Editions published Preston’s complete edition of all 49 Leclairsonatas for violin and basso continuo. He also published articles in the journal Recherches sur la musique fransaise classique. The highlight of his publishing career came when he was asked to contribute 30 articles to a Dictionnaire de la musique en France aux XVII etXVIII siecles.
After receiving his doctorate, Preston taught at the University of Oklahoma and Boston University before finding a home at Tulane University in 1964. His proudest teaching accomplishment was the setting up of three courses intended for the lay person with no previous knowledge of music: Bach and Beethoven, Handel, and Mozart, and Wagner and Stravinsky. He was twice recognized for Excellence in Teaching by Newcomb College.
In 1964 Mr. Preston bought a piece of property on Squam Lake. He built a home there and summered there till his retirement in 1979, at which time he lived there year-round. In 2004 met the love of his life Mary Joanne McEachern, together they purchased a lovely home in Laconia.
Mr. Preston was an accomplished pianist, a certified scuba diver, a mountain guide, a fisherman and an avid boater.
Mr. Preston is predeceased by his beloved wife Mary Joanne McEachern. Their marriage held at Church Island on Squam lake was an experience, he regarded as the high point of his life. Bob and Joanne loved traveling the world and sailing their boat on Squam Lake. When they were not traveling or boating, they enjoyed concerts, gardening and spending time with their family and their two Cairn terriers “Collin” and “Dee-Dee”.
Mr. Preston is survived by his sister Nancy Preston King, Joanne’s daughters and their spouses, many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held from 10AM to 12 Noon on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
A funeral service will be held at 1PM on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 93 NH-25, Meredith.
Burial will follow in the family plot at Oakland Cemetery in Meredith.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Squam Lake Natural Science Center at 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, NH 03245
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.