Robert L. Bourne, 67, of Ames died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

He was born on July 23, 1933 in Ames to Everett and Martha Zoe (Wilson) Bourne. He received a bachelor of arts degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa and a MA in music education from the University of Northern Colorado.

On December 19, 1955 he married Marjorie Thompson. He worked as the band director in Charles City for 15 years, Audubon for 22 years and Rockwell for 5 years.

He served as the president of the Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Association and founded the SWIBA Sight-Reading Clinic; was presented with Karl L. King distinguished service award for (active) members in 1993, 1994, and 1995; member of the American School Band Directors Association, National Band Masters Education Association and various local organizations. He was a devoted band master.

He truly was a legend among Iowa band directors and a magnificent judge in any circumstance.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, of Ames; two daughters, Barb Christensen and her husband, John of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Kathy Musser and her husband, Marty, of Madrid; one son, Jeff Bourne and his wife, Kris of Woodbridge, Virginia; sister Judy Thomas of Ames; six grandchildren, Samantha and Elizabeth Bourne, Kelsi and Tyler Christensen and Jacob and Abigail Musser.