REMEMBERING
Robert G Mayeur
1932 - 2021

American Guitar Society Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2008

The Guitar Man

Robert G Mayeur was a generous man whose warmth, humor, and talents were enjoyed by those who knew and loved him. 

Growing up in a small town in Texas, some say Robert's first words were, "I want a guitar." He built his first guitar out of an old cigar box, and his mother Zelta knew she had a musician on her hands. She encouraged him and bought the prized 1937 Epiphone Zepher Deluxe guitar he cherished and used his entire career. 

Texas State College band, Aces of Collegeland Stage Band, the U.S. Army band Robert played in them all. Then he came to Los Angeles, California, to enroll in the Master's program at U.C.L.A. and studied music, of course.

Robert's passion for guitar music was infectious. Composing music and teaching aspiring young guitar players was never a chore. It was an effortless talent. Playing "gigs" with other passionate musicians around Los Angeles was fun but never enough.

Santa Monica City College and L.A. Valley College both kept him busy teaching for many years. He built music programs and composed music for all his students to help them learn to love the art as much as he did.

Working with the Guitar Foundation of America, Robert organized international tours to help young guitar players showcase their talents across the globe for sixteen years. 

In 2008 the American Guitar Society Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert to celebrate his accomplishments and passion. Robert officially retired from teaching but never gave up his love for guitar.

He bravely fought off Parkinson's disease for many years. His daughters called him the "miracle man." In 2021 he lost his battle with that disease. A private family service honored Robert at his gravesite on July 8, 2021, at The Santa Barbara Cemetery in Santa Barbara, California. 

Robert, son of Rutherford L. Mayeur and Zelta Viva Benschoter, is survived by his daughters Suzanne Mayeur and Gabrielle Mayeur Weinman, his nephew R.L. Mayeur, niece Diane Mayeur Cutaia and niece Debbie Mayeur.