Obituary of Robert Stacke, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert Stacke, a kinetic man who found joy in family, music, teaching, traveling, and photography died in the early hours of November 30. He was 75. 

"Bob" to all those who knew him, Stacke grew up in South Minneapolis, the only child of Robert Merle Stacke and Betty Joyce Stacke (née Russell). Encouraged by his parents, Stacke began playing drums in the early 1960s. When he practiced, the family parakeet—named Tweeter—bounced on the snare drum as the drumsticks hit. 

For six decades, Stacke was an active freelance percussionist in the Twin Cities and internationally, playing boundless genres and rhythms in an incredible variety of venues. Throughout his career, he united people with music, collaborating with diverse organizations and communities and creating one-of-a-kind performances—with local Somali musicians, White Earth Nation, youth in Haiti, and many more. 

In 1990 he became a professor and the Director of the Concert Band and numerous ensembles, including Jazz and Gospel Praise, at Augsburg College, his alma mater ('71). He earned his MA from the University of St. Thomas and his PhD from the University of Minnesota. During Stacke's tenure at Augsburg, the Concert Band often performed works by British composers, an influence from his mother, who was born and raised in Australia. The Chair of the Music Department for 16 years, he retired in 2014, receiving the honor of Professor Emeritus. Two years later, he was chosen for the esteemed Spirit of Augsburg Award. A beloved teacher and conductor, Stacke nurtured the talents, careers, and lives of countless students, and toured nearly every continent with all of Augsburg's musical groups. 

Augsburg played another defining role in Stacke's life. He met his wife, Mary Stacke (née Bjerke), of 52 years there, when Mary, from Sauk Centre, Minnesota, was a freshman and Stacke was a sophomore. They both played percussion in the Concert Band and graduated together in 1971. "Bob opened up the whole world to me," said Mary. 

A lifelong and skilled photographer, Stacke was dedicated to documenting his surroundings. He particularly enjoyed photographing his multiple visits to Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Key West. He regularly trained his camera on Lake Minnetonka, squirrels, and family events. For several months, in 2018, he photographed the musicians and patrons at Palmer's Bar in Minneapolis, ultimately installing an exhibit of his work inside the establishment. 

Stacke was "endlessly proud" of his children, Ben and Sarah, said Mary. Ben is a Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Minneapolis, and Sarah is a documentary photographer, author, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. 

He was adored by his five grandchildren and cherished spending time with them. Ben and his wife, Joanna Stacke (née Kieschnick) have two children: Sophia (13) and Isla (9). Sarah Stacke and her husband, Bryan Sleeper, have three children: Errol (10), Oscar (4), and Arlo (2). 

"Bob spent his life creating opportunities and helping people fulfill their dreams," said Mary. "The contributions he made through his work, and through his devotion to his family, will continue to shine brightly." 

By Sarah Stacke 

A service will be held in Hoversten Chapel at Augsburg University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16. Memorial gifts in honor of Bob may be directed to the Music Department at Augsburg. Gifts may be made online (augsburg.edu/giving/) or sent to: Augsburg University, Institutional Advancement, 2211 Riverside Ave S, CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454. 

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