Robert Moorehouse Obituary

Robert E. "Bob" Moorehouse II

July 30, 2025

KINGSPORT - Robert E. "Bob" Moorehouse II, 75 of Kingsport, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. He reunited with the love of his life, Marsha Kay Whitlock Moorehouse, who passed in November. They were married for 51 years.

Friends, family, and former students are invited to come join us to remember Bob this Friday, August 22, at 6 PM at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home (117 East Charlemont Ave) in Kingsport. We will be sharing Bob stories, with performances from some of his musician friends and students.

After graduating from Dobyns-Bennett, Bob attended the University of Tennessee. Following a dalliance to hit the road and play rock music, he returned to Knoxville and completed his degree to be a music educator. He worked for Scott County Schools for more than 30 years, first as band director at Rye Cove High School and then teaching elementary music at several schools in the county. By the time he retired in 2009, Bob was teaching his third generation of students. Although familiar with many instruments, he specialized in playing the cello and bass guitar. He especially enjoyed playing in the band Deja Bluz during the 1990s.

Retirement allowed Bob to embrace his hippie soul. He loved being a husband, father, grandfather, musician, and traveler. He could often be found watching the UT Vols and having a whiskey with Marsha. If you were a neighbor of Bob's and heard yelling from his house on Saturday game days, we apologize for the ruckus. He also enjoyed watching wrestling and going to shows with his son, John, his cousin Bill, Tim, "The Runt", and the Travii, where mischief was encouraged with friends of all ages. Spoiling his grandkids (and their little dogs, too) with Marsha was his favorite activity in his later years.

He decided against his original plan for a Viking funeral because we were frankly afraid of what it might do to set a large box aflame on either Reedy Creek or the Holston River. He chose instead to be cremated. John and Sandi (Bob's favorite daughter-in-law… that we know of) promised him a fun Celebration of Life fitting his personality.

Visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave online condolences.