Ric (ricardo) J. Tobia Obituary

Ric (ricardo) J. Tobia attended Eisenhower High School in Yakima, WA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ric (ricardo) J. Tobia.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Passing	Jul 27, 2018
About	Ricardo (Ric) was born in Yakima, WA, on Nov. 27, 1946. He died at his home in Pittsburgh, PA, on July 5, 2018. A memorial service was held July 22, 2018, at the Fairhaven United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh where Ric was the choir director and worship leader. Ric graduated from Eisenhower High School and then received his bachelor’s degree in music at WA State University. He then spent four years in the Army where he sang at many venues including the retirement of General Westmoreland. After the Army he stayed on the east coast where he pursued more music training and toured with his group “Magic” until he began his teaching career at Point Park University in Pittsburgh where he taught for 35 years. Some of his students appeared in Broadway plays and appeared on stage at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima. He told his students, “I’m training you to be stars,” and many of them were. He directed many church choirs, sometimes several at once. His love for gospel music was widely known, although he sang everything from pop to opera. He will be missed greatly by his church family, school family, and his relatives. He is survived by his brother, Ron Tobia, and nephew Nick Tobia, both of Yakima. He also has many cousins in Washington and California. He was preceded in death by his father, Larry, mother Betty, and brother Jerry. Yakima Herald Republic, Yakima, WA July 27, 2018 Side note: I appeared in the play "HMS Pinafore" at IKE. Was a fun experience.