The scholarship was established in 1986 by Eunice and Robert Pitman in memory of their son, Robert Barwis, Jr. (Bart), who died at a young age in a tragic accident.  Bart was a very talented organist and pianist who received his degree in music from Oberlin and went on to study Baroque organ music in France and served as a Fellow in Cathedral Music at the Washington (D.C.) Cathedral where he also presented several organ recitals.  While in Washington he also performed at the Kennedy Center. After his time in Washington he held a post as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John’s University in Minnesota where he made several promotional recordings for the university through Minnesota Public Radio Station KSJR which airs Michael Barone’s weekly Pipedreams program.

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In 1975 after a brief return to the east coast where he was organist and choirmaster at St. Andrews Church, Lambertville, N.J. and organist at Har Sinai Temple, Trenton he moved to San Francisco.  He was preparing for a performance with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra at the time of his death in 1977.

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Because of the generosity of the Pitman family many young musicians have benefitted from the fund that was established in Bart’s name.

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