Dezell, Robert H.

The first music instructor for the Tacoma Community College, Robert H. Dezell was the driving force behind the creation of the Puget Sound Music Society Concert band, with whom he served as director and conductor. Robert H. Duzell served as the Chairman of the Music Department until he retired in 1974. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the Dezell family moved to Seattle in 1925. One of eight brothers and three sisters, he often explained to people that he had 'worked like a dog' when the great depression of the 1930's hit. He did manage to graduate from Lincoln High School, where he had conducted the band at the age of 15.