October 31, 1935 – May 11, 2021
Robert G. “Bob” Maag was born on October 31, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, to Arthur and Edna (Willis) Maag. Bob graduated from McCook high school in 1953. He attended Colorado A&M (now CSU) and McCook Junior College before enrolling in the University of Nebraska—Lincoln where he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Gamma Lambda Band fraternity and Theta Xi. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1958 and the Master of Music in 1962. Bob was a charter member of the UNL Band Alumni Association.
On July 19,1958, in Lincoln, he married Joy Ann Schmidt of Red Oak, lowa. That same year he was hired by Waverly Public Schools to teach K-12 vocal and instrumental music. Bob taught in Waverly for 33 years where he developed an instrumental music program recognized statewide for its excellence. After retiring from Waverly, he taught elementary school band in Lincoln Public schools from 1991-1995. He then worked part-time for 18 years in the sheet music department at the downtown Dietze Music store. In 2008 he founded the Waverly Area Community Band which he conducted for 8 years.
Bob was a charter member and past president of Nebraska State Bandmasters Association where the Varsity Band was invited to perform at the state convention in 1983 and 1990. He co-authored a book entitled “History of the Band Movement in Nebraska”, published in 2006 which earned him NSBA’s Distinguished Service Award. ln 1988 he received the NSBA’s highest honor, the Donald A. Lentz outstanding Bandmaster Award and also the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.
He was a member of the National Association for Music Education and a lifetime member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association. He served as the NMEA Band Chairman from t977-I979 and was inducted into the NMEA Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a lifetime member of the NEA and the NSEA.
Bob played tuba in the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra for 18 years, the Lincoln Municipal Band for 24 years, and the Lincoln Community Concert Band for 19 years.
Memorial Service: 10:30 am Wednesday (5-19-21) Waverly United Methodist Church with Pastor Jacob Cloud officiating followed by a reception at the Waverly Community Center. Livestream at firstunitedwaverly.org/worship
Memorials to First United Methodist Church of Waverly or School District #145 Foundation for Education.
