 Billing himself as Bob’s One-Man Band, Robert “Bob” Hagwood, has returned to his life long passion — music. For 42 years, he ran the family business, Hagwood Master Cleaners, in Portsmouth. After retiring he rediscovered music. His love of music started when his fourth grade teacher purchased him a flute for 25 cents. Having an ear for music, Bob quickly learned to play tunes recalling how he was hooked on music. He played the clarinet and saxophone in high school and was a drum major in college.
In 1998, Bob un-retired and turned his full attention to music. He purchased a state of the art music computer that electronically stores over 400 songs and rhythms. Strapping on his clarinet or his sax, Bob “wows” his audiences with instrumental and vocal tunes from the past and present. He plays for private functions, corporate retreats, and outdoor events, but his performances at area retirement communities are the ones that he enjoys most.
 The 72-year-old musician says “I love to play for the seniors. If I can get them to move to the music, I know that I have reached them and it makes it all worthwhile.” Bob plays 4–5 jobs a week in Virginia and North Carolina. Recently Bob organized a fund-raiser to help cover the cost of bone marrow replacement treatments for a young girl with Leukemia. Bob Hagwood is using his love of music to impact others. What dream or skill have you put aside that might be a joy to you and a blessing to others?
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