A Husband and Wife were reunited

Today, March 2nd,
a husband and wife were reunited...
11 grown children mourned the passing of their dad...
nearly 3 dozen grandchildren and great grandchildren cried tears for their grandpa...
and too many friends to count reflected on just how they knew R.B. Graber,
better known to us all as "Poppo."

Poppo was "The Leader of The Band"
And while the specifics of the song are not exactly the same,
the feeling behind the words is reflective of his life.


The Leader of The Band - Dan Fogelberg

An only child
Alone and wild
A cabinet makers son
His hands were meant
For different work
And his heart was known
To none --
He left his home
And went his lone
And solitary way
And he gave to me
A gift I know
I never Can repay

A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldnt wait
He earned his love
Through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand.

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul--
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.

My brothers lives were Different
For they heard another call
One went to chicago
And the other to st. paul
And Im in colorado
When Im not in some hotel
Living out this life Ive chose
And come to know so well.

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I dont think i Said
i love you near enough --

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band.

God Bless you Poppo. So glad you are reunited at last with Mommo, the love of your life.