05/08/2026
Earlier this week, we learned the sad news that Robert "Bob" Pinter of Sugar Creek, Mo. passed away at age 91.
Mr. Pinter was an early mentor in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, teaching tamburitza in 1988-89 to apprentices, including Nick Andresevic, pictured here in a photo from the project's archives, now housed at The State Historical Society of Missouri.
Mr. Pinter was well-versed in the tamburitza tradition, one that he himself took up in grade school, then later honed with friends Matthew Butkovich and Barry Berislavich, under the mentorship of Nick Rodina, who took a bus from Kansas City, KS to Sugar Creek, MO to teach the trio and then a local tamburitza orchestra.
Mr. Pinter wrote of that time: "The orchestra played extensively in Kansas & Missouri, particularly the Kansas City area. We also played Iowa a couple of times. The highlight was a trip to Washington, D.C. during the Bicentennial year, 1976. The trip was sponsored by the Optimist organization . . . The group of 48, eight adults + 40 orchestra members, spent time touring the numerous government offices, museums, historical sites, etc." over the course of seven days.
Over the last fifty years, from those transplanted roots, Mr. Pinter, his family, and other families from that era, have sustained the orchestra, as well as dance troupes of adults and children. They practice regularly and anchor the popular Sugar Creek Slavic Festival each June.
Missouri Folk Arts extends heartfelt condolences--and appreciation--to the Pinter family and friends. As Bob Pinter wrote: "participation in the customs, music, song, dance, etc. is the way younger generations can continue their traditions and preserve their heritage." Hear, hear.
