Obituaries : Robert D. Belknap; Retired College Professor

Robert D. Belknap, who taught music at Glendale College for 30 years, has died at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 71.

A West Hills resident, Belknap died Monday of complications from emphysema, said his wife, Annabelle Nye-Belknap.

Born in Honolulu, he came to California as a child and lived in San Jose. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in music from Columbia University in New York. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Navy.

Belknap taught music at Mayville State College in North Dakota and, in 1952, returned to California and began teaching at Glendale College. Belknap, who taught piano and music theory, had served as fine arts division chairman and president of the college’s faculty association. He retired in 1982.

Belknap had performed piano concerts, in addition to playing the string bass in the Glendale College Symphony Orchestra and the baritone in the UCLA Alumni Band.

A licensed Los Angeles County scuba-diving instructor, Belknap had worked with Jacques Cousteau on a shrimp migration project, his wife said. He was on the board of directors of the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Assn. in the mid-1960s and was active with the Aqua Vaqs dive club at Glendale College. Belknap also was a U. S. Tennis Assn. umpire and a member of the Pasadena Motorcycle Club.

In 1989, he received the Remarkable Senior Award in a contest sponsored by Southern California Senior Life magazine.

In addition to his wife of 14 years, Belknap is survived by his son, Brad M. Belknap of Sylmar.

At his request, no services were held. Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service in Burbank handled the arrangements. Contributions can be made in Belknap’s name to an animal rescue organization of the donor’s choice.