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Posted on 07/19/2021 10:07:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
(File Photo, July 2016) Robby Steinhardt joined fellow Kansas band member Kerry Livgren for a fundraiser in Topeka's NOTO arts district.(WIBW)
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - One of the founding members of the band Kansas has passed away.
According to a post on Facebook, violinist/vocalist Robby Steinhardt died Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Tampa General Hospital.
Steinhardt’s wife Cindy posted the following to her Facebook page:
“Our final journey started May 13 when Robby was admitted into the hospital with acute pancreatitis. Later that night he went into acute septic shock and was placed on life support. Outlook was very grave as he wasn’t expected to live through the night.
Like the true fighter he is, he managed to spring back much to the amazement of his entire medical staff. Once again he cheated death and the road to recovery had begun.
65 days later, on the day he was to be released from medical care and move to the rehabilitation center to build his strength, his body had other plans. A fever set in, blood pressure became uncontrollable, the sepsis reared it's ugly head again.
The medical staff at Tampa General stabilized him, he greeted me with a smile, open arms and kisses.
His daughter Becky called. They had a beautiful, happy, conversation together.
6 minutes later as I held him to keep him warm, he died in my arms at 6:30pm Saturday July 17, 2021.
We are beyond devastated as our lives were about to start a new adventure. Robby just recorded his first solo album with the talented music producer Michael Franklin at Solar Studios. A tour to start in August, Robby was so looking forward to being back on stage doing what he loved.
I’ve always tried to share our lives with you but I ask you to please respect this heavy time of grief. I encourage you to share your stories and pictures of Robby on his page.
My only regret is that I can’t share them with him to show him how much he is loved.
Hug your loved ones, be happy, stay safe and be well.”
Cindy Steinhardt, Robby's wife via Facebook According to Robby’s bio, Steinhardt was a member of Kansas from 1973 to 1982, and from 1997-2006.
He was 71 years old.
Steinhardt last performed in Topeka as a member of Kansas in July 2016. Steinhardt and fellow band member Kerry Livgren stopped in Topeka’s NOTO Arts District prior to the show for a fundraiser -- read more about their visit here.
RIP Robbie
Leftoverture and Point of Know Return are two of my all time favorite albums. Pink Floyd is the only other band that did 2 good enough to rate on my all time favorite list, Meddle and Dark Side of the Moon. Momentary Lapse of Reason is really close too.
Band I’m in plays Dust in the Wind, I manage to stumble through a fairly decent solo on guitar instead of violin. Nowhere near Robbie, but I manage to get through it...
Never was a Kansas fan until Supernatural...and Carry on My Wayward Son was the intro song.
RIP.
That sounds awesome. I wasn’t even a ‘teen’ then.
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