REMEMBRANCE: Poly celebrates the life of their late music instructor and teacher Robert “Bob” Habereder.
Written By: Caitlin Gann, Staff Writer
Earlier this year, Poly lost an amazing teacher and mentor: Robert “Bob” Habereder. Habereder started at Poly High School in 2010 as a 10th-grade World Literature teacher, later becoming Poly’s orchestra instructor. After a few years at Poly, Habereder let his passion for music come to the forefront of his career and applied for grants to create the first-ever Music Technology program in Riverside Unified School District. His writing abilities came through in these letters, and he was awarded the largest grant in Poly’s history, with his Music Tech class becoming instantly popular among students. Habereder was a teacher that was kind and treated every student with respect; his legacy will always live on through those who loved him and all of the people whose hearts he touched. In celebration of his life, Poly High School held a remembrance service in the gymnasium, gathering former and current students, colleges, friends, and family.
Habereder is remembered as a person who was always willing to spread joy, and his colleagues greatly appreciated him for that. Alexia Wilson, an English teacher at Poly, reminisced on a memory of going to a concert with Habereder for what she described as a punk, rock, folk, German mashup band where the lead singer was a bodybuilder with an extremely thick German accent. While the singer was flexing his muscles, Habereder stuck his finger into the singer’s belly button, and tears started rolling down Wilson’s face instantly because of how much she was laughing.
Not only was his charisma and sense of humor cherished by others, but he was also extremely caring and loving. Sara Beckman, an art teacher at Poly, expressed her gratitude for Habereder. During her first year of teaching, she struggled getting adjusted, but Habereder was a helping hand and put time and effort into helping her. Kristen Walton, Poly’s choir teacher, explained that her most memorable conversation with Habereder was in a morning conversation where:
“I had mentioned how much of my own identity is wrapped up in my job and who I am as a conductor/professional. He reminded me that the most important part of my identity was who I was as a mom and he affirmed that I was doing a great job. It was the affirmation and encouragement I needed at a very tough and stressful time in my life and I will forever be grateful” – Kristen Walton
Walton remembers Habereder as a family man who was an amazing father who always put his family first. Habereder was an amazing father, but he was also an admirable friend. Christopher Markermorse, the theater teacher at Poly, was in a band with colleagues called The Expelled. Markermorse reminisced on a time when:
”one show, he was conducting our band for The Wedding Singer (a musical with 80’s music and costuming) and he came in for a show with 80’s hair, Miami Vice sunglasses and coat, and conducted like he was a rock god. It was hilarious, wonderful and invientive, much like Mr. Habereder himself” – Christopher Markermorse
That is exactly what Habereder will and has been remembered for, his creativity, excellence, and artistry. All of the teachers here at Poly, whether they were close to Habereder or not, will always remember him and miss his brilliance on campus.
Students loved how welcoming and encouraging Habereder was, and to say he was kind to them would be an understatement. A Poly alumnus recalled a time when Habereder saw he was tired and offered him a cup of coffee. As Habereder gave him black coffee, the student asked if he had anything to put in the coffee, to which Habereder replied that he did not. The student hated black coffee before, yet still, remembers it as the best cup of coffee he ever had because of Habereder and his kind effort.
To celebrate the teacher’s sheer impact on their lives, Habereder’s students performed music during the memorial, including orchestra, choir, and a band, Mr. Kitty, which was established in the Music Tech Club. Many of his students refer to him as “Habs,” holding many fond, intimate memories of him that they will never forget. Melissa Lysiak (12), the creator of the Music Tech Club, shared that:
“Mr. Habereder gave me unconditional support when it came to my club and the vision for my bands. And he gave me so many opportunities and constant support to pursue my dreams of working in the music industry” – Melissa Lysiak
One of these moments of support came with the first Music Tech Club concert. Lysiak was tense because of the concert, but Habereder reassured her that it would run smoothly and it did. Habereder always comforted his students, and Citlali Campos (12) illustrated that for her freshman Halloween concert:
“before the concert, everyone would share laughs and conversations as all the performers trickled in, wearing their Halloween costumes. Soon we would see Mr. Habereder proudly wearing his dinosaur onesie. Before we went on, Mr. Habereder would take deep breaths with us, shaking out all the nerves and jitters that we had” – Citlali Campos
Habereder was an unforgettable educator and an inspiration to his students. His connection and passion for music were unmatched and he nurtured this same love for music in his students.
Habereder will forever be remembered for his impact, his compassion, and his enthusiasm for teaching and making an impact on all of his students, pushing his students and making everlasting impressions on them that have changed them for the better. His legacy as a musician, educator, and friend will forever live on through his students, family, and colleagues. Rest in Peace Mr. Habereder. You will forever be loved and remembered by your Poly family.
