Dr. Robert McBain

Obituary

Dr. Robert Mark McBain

August 14, 1946 ~ October 26, 2025

Dr. Robert Mark McBain, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, teacher, mentor, and Minister of Music, entered the Church Triumphant on October 26, 2025, at 79.

Born on August 14, 1946, in Pine River Village, MN, Robert dedicated his life to glorifying God through music, education, and ministry. He pursued studies at Arizona State University (B.A. in Education, 1973), the University of Redlands (Master of Music, 1979), and the Internationale Sommerakademie at the Mozarteum in Salzburg (Diploma, 1978). He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University in 1981, with his dissertation “The Choral Music of John Rutter: Analysis and Performance Practices.” Post-doctoral studies continued at the Eastman School of Music.

An ordained minister, Robert faithfully served churches more than 50 years including Grace United Methodist Church (Atlanta, GA); First United Methodist Church (Houston, TX); Carmel UMC (Carmel, IN); Christ Church (Memphis, TN); Galloway United Methodist Church (Jackson, MS); St. Timothy UMC (Mandeville, LA); and First UMC (Spring Hill, FL). Upon his retirement in 2017, he and his wife Ann moved to The Villages, FL, where he continued to share his gifts at New Covenant United Methodist Church as a congregant, choir member, guest conductor, and member of the choir council. His guiding conviction was that excellence in music is an offering of praise to God, and that ministry begins with loving the people God places in our care.

A gifted teacher and conductor, Robert sang with the Roger Wagner Chorale in Los Angeles (1973–79) and on the Hour of Power with Rev. Robert Schuller at Garden Grove Community Church, California, while directing music at Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. He held teaching positions at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri (1981–82), Manhattan High School in Kansas (1982–84), Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, IN, Carmel Junior High in Carmel, IN, and schools in Olive Branch, MS, influencing generations of students with his love of music and his devotion to Christ. He conducted numerous choruses, including the Carmel Symphony Chorale in Indiana (1986), and also sang as a chorister with the Atlanta Symphony Chorale (1985). He later directed the Music at Carmel Concert Series beginning in 1991.

Robert’s artistry led him to conduct symphony orchestras in Atlanta, Fort Wayne, Memphis, Mississippi, Phoenix, Oklahoma, and New York. He appeared with the Indianapolis and Texas Chamber Orchestras and the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, Austria. His career milestones included conducting Verdi’s Messa da Requiem at Carnegie Hall (2005), Handel’s Messiah in Bethlehem’s Manger Square on Christmas Eve (2007) — where he was named an honorary citizen of Bethlehem — and Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Radio and Television Orchestra in Athens, Greece (2009), at the invitation of the Greek government.

Though music was his vocation, Robert’s zest for life extended well beyond the podium. He earned his pilot’s license, was a certified scuba diver, parachuted, boated, played golf, and owned a racehorse and the #2 Indy Pace Car from 1989. At the heart of his life, however, was his family and the countless people he mentored and loved as Christ loved.

Dr. McBain was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Leroy Doward McBain and Olive Ann Fountain, and his sister Marianne Barrett. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ann West McBain; his son, William Alexander McBain (Stacy); four grandchildren, Troy Alexander (Hannah), Ryan Foster (Megan), Bryce Ann (Josh), and Tyler Scott; one great-grandson, Dale Matthew; siblings Dr. Loren McBain, Dr. Melissa McBain, and Joy Nolte (Willie); and numerous nieces, nephews, students, and friends.

Robert has now joined the heavenly chorus, where faith is made sight and song is perfected in praise before the throne of God. His legacy lives on in all who experienced his music, teaching, leadership, and love.

A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held November 8, 2025 11:00 AM at New Covenant United Methodist Church, 3470 Woodridge Drive, The Villages, FL 32162. The family requests that any memorials be given to the Music Ministry of the church. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.