Robert "Bob" G. Long
Obituary
Robert (Bob) Gerald Long, born May 2, 1940 in Springfield, Missouri to Cecil and Geraldine (Jerry) Long, passed away on November 10, 2018 in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK from complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after overcoming a good fight from reoccurring metastasized prostate cancer in his lungs earlier last year.
He was a member of the 1958 graduating class from Parkview High School and graduated in 1962 from Drury College (now Drury University) in Springfield, MO. At Drury he was a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Chapter where he held various offices including President, as well as Drury Inter Fraternity Council President.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Cindy in 1962. They moved to Tulsa, OK in 1969 when he was offered the position to run the band and other instrument side at Shields Music. It was at that time his love of the Tulsa music scene began and on July 1, 1976 he and Cindy bought Guitar House of Tulsa and he would retire 34 years later on August 1, 2010. He was very proud of the mark he and Cindy made in the lives of the many musicians who walked through the doors of Shields Music and Guitar House of Tulsa. It was always a laugh in the family that Bob could not go anywhere that someone did not recognize him.
Bob was a driving force in the Tulsa and the Oklahoma Jaycees which he joined in 1971. Among other local and state positions held during his relatively short membership, he served as the Tulsa chapter chaplain where he soon was given the moniker ‘Father Long’ which he proudly held throughout his life. Being bestowed the honor of a Jaycee International (JCI) Senatorship #21245 was one of the highlights of his life and the friendships he gained were treasured like no other.
Bob was a member of John Calvin Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and a member of the Chancel Choir. He also enjoyed arranging periodic trips to the Food Bank, volunteering for Meals on Wheels with fellow church members Norman Gallagher and Ed Marlar, and calling bingo at the monthly Community Taco Dinners. He enjoyed monthly dinners with Jaycee friends as well as a great game of poker on occasion. Bob was also very proud of the fact that up until his reoccurrence of cancer in 2017, he was a regular blood donor at the Red Cross and unfortunately, he was one unit short of donating 24 gallons of blood.
He was a loving “Daddy” to Reagan and “Gramps” to his 8 grand kitties, Raven, Beaker, Gizmo, Rascal, Tabi, Wiggy, Joey, and Sapphire.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his half-brother Walter Long and half-sister Marsha Long, and his loving wife, Lucinda (Cindy) Ann Long of Tulsa, OK. He is survived by his daughters Teresa (Teri) Lynn Long and Christina (Tina) Marie Long both of Tulsa, OK; sister-in-law, Martha Susan Schulz of Springfield, MO; sister-in-law, Mary Quigg Caspar (Bill) of Ft. Myers, FL.; nephew, Eugene Bruce Quigg (Carla) of Pickerington, OH; niece, Barbara Marie Quigg of Suwanee, GA; great nieces, Amanda Christine Shreve and Ashley Marie Holbrook (Vince) also of Suwanee, GA; cousin-in-law, Gretchen Smith (Kathy Valentine) of Lansing, MI.; his beloved family, church, Jaycees, classmates, and countless string musicians through whom his legacy will live on forever.
The Tulsa Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 8181 E. 31st Street, Tulsa, OK 74145. The Springfield Memorial Service will be held at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, 820 S. Cherry Street, Springfield, MO 65806 on Saturday, December 15, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send contribution to the music department of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, the Oklahoma Region/American Red Cross, Animal Aid of Tulsa, the music department of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church or to charity of your choice.
Events
Tributes & Memories
First, my condolences to Tina and Teri and their family. Bob hired me to work at Shields Music in 1971, originally to sell band instruments, but after Duane Bryce left a few months later, I found a home in the guitar department, working alongside Randy Genet. In 1976, I heard that Guitar House was for sale, and I decided I would try to buy it, and before I got around to it, Bob announced that he had bought it. I always enjoyed working for and with Bob, and when he left Shields Music, I was asked to try to fill his shoes, so I took over as Guitar Dept. Manager, a job I had until I left Shields in 1979. Over the years, as I worked for Shields, Roy and Candy's, Music Sound World, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Firey Music Company, and Guitar Center, I stayed in contact with Bob and I always loved him. He came to listen to my wife Connie and me playing at Lennie's Club a few times in 1994. He was always a nice guy, a true gentleman, and one of the best friends that Tulsa musicians ever had. It's sad that the last two times I saw him were at funerals (Roy Ferguson in January, 2015, and Randy Genet in April, 2018). He (along with Dave Miller) always went all out to keep me up to date whenever Randy was sick before he died. Unfortunately, I will not be able to go to Bob's memorial service, but I honor his memory and his HUGE contribution to Tulsa's music scene. We'll miss you, Bob!
Jim King
The main memory of Bob is that he sang at my wedding 50 years ago. He had a fabulous voice. I will never forget the songs. He was a first cousin that I remember with lots of family visits. I lost touch then refound them a couple of years ago.
Carol Fox
Bob was an Icon as was Shields in general, he was the Circus master, Roy Furgeson was a salesman at Shields before opening his own store.....under Bobs time there Randy Genet and Jim King were the main salesmen, then they had Waddy Pass in the repair shop, Shields was the place to be on Saturdays and Bob was the Ring leader.......great guy even kind to the novices..........Bob was a big part of a lot of young mens childhood!!!!!!!!!
David Thayer
I met Bob in 1969 when I was singing at the Camelot Inn with my partner Joey. Through the years Bob financed my equipment himself and was a dear friend to me. God bless His family. Heartfelt condolences from Luigi Balletto
Luigi Balletto
Bob ,Cindy, Joan and I have been friends for many years, Bob was very helpful to me in sponsoring the IFR Final Rodeo at the Civic Center. Bob and Cindy always was helpful in any way they could be. Joan and I got to visit with Bob a couple of weeks ago, Bob was very weak at that time. I was in sales and I moved around Tulsa during the day, any time I was near the guitar house, I would drop in and say HI to Cindy and Bob, they were always very nice to talk to. Girls, you had special parents, Always Herb and Joan
Herbert Nance Sr.
Bob hired me to teach guitar at Shield’s at the end of 1972 and again at the Guitar House 5 years later. Those jobs enabled me to get through TU and set me on my career teaching music. The arc of my life would have been so different without Bob’s influence. He and Cindy will always have a special place in my heart. Family commitments take me to St. Louis this weekend so I won’t be able to attend the memorial service but Bob and Cindy and, of course, Tina and Teri will be in my thoughts.
Randy Wimer
My heart goes out to you during this time. It’s so hard to loose the Daddy you love and adore, and somehow it just seems the world is not right without him. I did not know Bob personally I only met him once. However, we have known the family for a lifetime. When our son decided at the age of 10 he wanted to play the guitar we knew where to go to get the perfect one. It was a beginner, small one that Bob helped Ron and I pick out for him. He was one happy boy that Christmas. It’s my joy to tell you that now he is 28 and still playing and singing for his church as he leads our praise band. God bless you both. Your family will always carry a special place in our hearts! Our prayers are with you.
Roxie Hight
I bought my first guitar from Bob, a Penco 12 string, in 1972. I loved going to the Guitar House where Bob and Cindy held court for many Tulsa musicians. Wonderful music store and wonderful people.
Charlie Hill
What a beautiful tribute to your father...... Your family was a part of our family when our fathers were in Jaycees together, then when your family became patients in my father practice. Each of you became an extended family member. Your father had a very distinctive voice, I would know his voice from the first word he spoke. I would say Mr Long what can I do for you today...... Well Brenda just call me “Bob” - Yes, Mr. Long just call you Bob. He never let me forget the Christmas present ideas I gave Tina. Brenda I hear you had a lot to do with my Christmas present this year. Are you sure I am suppose to put the beer on my yard. (The Jerry Baker homemade Tonic Lawn Receipes) yes you are to mix 1 can do beer, 1 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of Tick and Flea shampoo. then spray on your yard and you will have the greenest yard on your block. I know he thought I made this up, until Tina gave him the book. I think Tina thought I made it up too until she saw his show on PBS. It was real homemade tonics for your lawn. I would have loved to seen his face when he opened each item. Your parents were one of a kind, and they will always have a special place in my heart. It was an honor to have known them .... Brenda Ballew Griffin
Brenda Ballew Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Robert "Bob" G. Long
Brenda Ballew Griffin
It was an honor to meet & get to know Mr Bob & Ms Cindy many years ago, while Teri and I worked together. Bob & Cindy are together again. Singing, playing music, enjoying talking to all the late St. Louis Cardinals players, & all the amazing musicians. Oh heck of a jam session! Mr Bob going to be missed by any, most of all by his Girls! My thoughts and prayers are with you are with Teri & Tina. Love you both!!!!
Lisa Gibson
Bob was a great person and a wonderful dog daddy. We will miss him at the clinic. So very sorry for your loss Teri and Tina.
Sherry Stevens