Photo submitted to Times Observer Bob English (trumpet, center), who was inducted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Hall of Fame in April, and vocalist Marion Duarte (who later married English) perform with the Stardusters in 1947.

For more than half a century, Bob English has been making a musical difference in the lives of people in Warren County and well beyond.

At a ceremony held Saturday, April 6, in Pittsburgh, English, who was the music teacher at Youngsville High School from 1962 to 1971, was inducted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Hall of Fame at the age of 93.

His teaching career spanned 36 years, starting at Marienville (now East Forest) High School, and ending up at Oil City High School.

Throughout that time, and since his retirement in 1989, English played the trumpet and piano, and conducted a number of musical groups.

His legacy continues. English and his wife of 67 years, Marion, who passed away in 2018, had three children. One of those, Patty Bush, became a music teacher and is now teaching at Youngsville Elementary Middle School.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Bob English, former Youngsville High School music teacher, receives a plaque on Saturday, April 6, on the occasion of his induction into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Hall of Fame, from PMEA President Tina Bennett.

Of the English’s seven grandchildren, one, Erin Bush, is a music teacher in Braxton County, W. Va.

“He is still as active in music as his schedule allows,” Patty Bush said.

And at 93 he is still, often literally, the leader of the band.