Robert Alan Lindner of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY passed away from natural causes at the age 78 on Friday, August 16, 2024.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home on Saturday, September 7 from 11:00am-2:00pm. Visitations will begin at 11:00am and Prayer Service will be at 12:30pm.

Music was Robert’s lifelong profession and passion. A gifted pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator, he believed that music reaches people on a direct path to their spirit.

Robert was born November 8, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY and started plucking out tunes on the family piano at the age of 3. A natural performer, he was discovered in a local talent contest and then at age 11, was cast as Young Patrick in the First National Tour of “Auntie Mame” with Constance Bennett for three years. As a teen he sang and played with his duo ‘The Garlins’ throughout the tri-state area. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from NYU and continued his studies at NY College of Music.

Robert was an army veteran and a member of the USMA band at West Point from 1973-75, where he sang the lead in “Man of La Mancha.” He was an AFM (American Federation of Musicians) member and a society player, performing as a pianist/singer at New York’s prominent piano bars, country clubs, hotels, and private parties across the tri-state area. He specialized in Jazz, Show Tunes, Bossa Nova, and the Great American Songbook standards (with a jazz flavor). His vocal stylings are featured on two albums: “Jazzheads” & “Rivertown Voices.” The Village Voice jazz critic and author Nat Hentoff had compared his voice to the great Mel Tormé.

Some of Robert’s many music credits include playing in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters", conducting for Bob McGrath ["Sesame St"], Barbara Feldon ["Get Smart"], and many cabaret and nightclub performers. Other artists he worked with include Pat Benatar, Shawn Colvin, Marvin Hamlisch, JK Simmons, Laura Branigan, Kathie Lee Gifford, Larry David, Merv Griffin, Steven Schwartz, and many more.

Robert musically directed over 45 shows for schools and community theater groups, as well as Off-B’way productions and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As an educator, he provided vocal coaching and piano lessons to young people and adults throughout his career. He also provided Music Therapy to various populations, including pre-school children with disabilities and adult Alzheimer groups.

Robert is survived by his devoted wife Janetta Betz, his daughters Gina Lindner and Danielle Alexandra, his son Jason Lindner, and his sisters Georgiann Rapisarda and Carlynn Vitale.

Please join us in celebrating this exceptional man, who generously shared his gifts with so many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at givenow.lls.org or the American Heart Association at heart.org.