Robert William Vuichard, born October 4, 1985 (40) left his earthly presence far too early on Monday, October 27, 2025.  He is survived by parents, Kim Erbe (Tim) and William Vuichard; siblings, Tyler Vuichard, Steven (Ashley) Erbe, Andrew Erbe, Samantha (Alex) Marini; his niece, Eva Marini; loving and devoted partner Jonathan Gallagher; many passionate friends and extended family.  He is preceded in death by grandparents, Rose and Bob Kleman, Vada Palmeri, Robert Melvin Tidd; friend, Gretchen Snedeker; and his dedicated dogs, Dexter and Daisy Mae.

Robert's love for people, the world, knowledge, music, architecture, critical thought, and good conversation will be missed by those who had the privilege to share his presence.  He had a smile that would fill a room and sparkling, radiant eyes.

Robert was a man of many passions.  He had a thread of music through his life that started as a boy in local theater productions and continued as he honed skills in piano and perfected composition.  As a child, Robert would be found writing music in his bedroom after school and quickly took up violin and piano.  As an autodidact, he had a fleeting career with the French horn and guitar, but the piano became Robert's outlet for the fire and passion he could not keep inside.

Robert had a love of prose, poetry, and music.  He loved a great story.  The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Willy Wonka captivated him as a youth.  He felt a connection to the characters and writing of these stories.  His adult library was full of the most notable poets, academic prose, biographies, and chronicles of history.  Robert could see Neverland when he looked into a sweet wood, heard the cadence of a poem, and could draw facts and stories by simply looking at a building or walking the street.

Robert's professional education included a Bachelor of Music in composition from the University of Michigan, a Masters of Music in composition from the Manhattan School of Music and a certificate in film scoring from the University of Southern California.

As a performer, Robert was seen on PBS' Great Performances with the New York Philharmonic.  He played The Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage Series, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, and in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

He was a guest teacher at over a dozen universities including Yale University and University of Michigan.  Cathedrals in France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland echoed with his compositions.  Robert's Carnegie Hall debut was in 2014.

Robert received recognition from the most prestigious institutions and took up artist residencies in Florida, New York, and Colorado.

Three of his significant works were published: Zephyr Rounds, The Camera Obscura of Jan van Eyck, and his piece Heliocentric Meditation.

The Yale Glee Club performed his work on tour, and Robert's music will forever be shared by choirs and performers looking to present challenging, inspirational music that moves the listener and triggers composers to think.

Starting with an academic lens in his early work, Robert's compositions changed over time towards a more vernacular musical theater style.  This is most engagingly seen in his yet unpublished work Along the Val-Kill: Songs from the Life of Eleanor Roosevelt.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's civic efforts to improve humanity inspired Robert.  He saw many parallels between her life and his own.  A guided tour of New York City with Robert always included the United Nations to honor and talk about Eleanor's work.  Robert served on the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill board and had great visions for continuing her legacy.  He had an understanding of where our country has come from, the history we share, and could focus that passion into hours of conversation, observation, and critical thinking.

His passion for history exuded from all areas of Robert's life.  Returning from the city tour, a walk through his apartment highlighted antique French furniture, silver sets from the finest dining rooms, and sideboards with historical provenance.  His wall of paintings was constantly changing and included Impressionist work to portraiture to maps and even an eighty-five-year-old framed Franklin Roosevelt political campaign banner.  Each time Robert changed or reorganized the wall, he paid attention details of artist style, historical references, and the ever-important visual presentation.  He understood energy and created spaces that were welcoming, inspirational, comfortable and warm.

Robert was a burst of energy and emotion.  He was a shining light in the world and had a contagious warm laugh.  Larger than life, brilliant, loving—he brought joy to those in his presence.   The world was lucky to experience Robert William Vuichard.

Please join us from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 1040 Route 31, Macedon, NY 14502, to remember Robert and honor him with a service at 6:00 pm.

In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill , P.O. Box 255, Hyde Park, NY 12538, or Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Greater Rochester , 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450, to honor two of his most important passions.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit Robert's tribute wall at www.murphyfuneralservices.com.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill
PO Box 255, Hyde Park NY 12538
Tel: 1-845-229-5302
Web: https://ervk.org/

Humane Society at Lollypop Farm
99 Victor Rd., Fairport NY 14450
Web: http://www.lollypop.org