READ, Robert Leslie (Bob)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, December 19, 2009 Robert Leslie "Bob" Read, 82, passed away Dec. 17, 2009, in Prescott, Ariz. He was born July 23, 1927, in Elizabeth, N.J. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave. in Prescott, with a Celebration of Life service in honor of Bob 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at the funeral home. Heritage Memory Mortuary is caring for the family. ---------------------------------- The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, December 21, 2009 Robert L. "Bob" Read age 82 of Prescott, Ariz. passed away at home Dec. 17, 2009. He was born in Elizabeth, N.J. to Robert J. and Ruth Read. As a very young man, Bob joined the Navy and was a WWII veteran. Following the war, he returned home and pursued a music career. He moved to Arizona in 1954 and spent many years in Phoenix as a popular musician. A major milestone was the one of a kind installation of a Marr and Colton pipe organ at Beefeaters Restaurant where it debuted on Feb. 14, 1960. He later opened and ran the successful Bob Read's Top Hat Restaurant, where he entertained nightly. Bob was an avid sportsman and enjoyed the hunting and fishing in the Arizona wilderness. During the 1960s, he participated with the Arizona Sportmasters, giving firearm safety courses in Phoenix area grade schools. All his life Bob was an accomplished carpenter, and before moving to Prescott in 1994, he began artisan crafting for fine art carving. Prescott gave Bob the opportunity to hone his wood crafting skills, he held a position at the Prescott Mountain Spirit Gallery representing the fine arts of Southwestern and Cowboy Artists. Bob had many Masonic and Shrine affiliations including serving as Master of Arizona Lodge #2, El Zaribah Shrine Mounted Patrol unit and the Knights Templer. He is survived by his daughter Marilyn Read of Jersey City, N.J.; son Bob Read and his wife Cheryl and their daughter Kendra of Chandler, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Jessie C. Herriotts of Prescott and Jean Miscovic of Plainsfield, N.J. A visitation for family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave. in Prescott, Ariz. with a Celebration of Life service in honor of Bob at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions in Bob's name to El Zaribah Shrine, 552 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008. Heritage Memory Mortuary is caring for the family. Information provided by survivors.