RIP Robert Underwood

[Amy Reusch]

Certainly an obituary will be posted somewhere, but in the meantime, there was this on Ballet Theatre of Houston's Facebook page.

Robert Underwood Memorial service

Sunday, March 1st, 2pm @ Cypress Creek Christian Church. 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring 77379.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Robert's memory to his non-profit performing company Ballet Theatre Houston.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballet-Theatre-Houston/110654582318082?fref=nf

And below is excerpted from his bio from the school's website:

ROBERT UNDERWOOD

Our director stepped in to the studio established more than 30 years ago by Margo Marshall and Gilbert Rome and built upon its tradition as a program offering serious training based in classical ballet technique and took it to the next level. Robert began his training with Roman Jasinski in Tulsa, Oklahoma and upon graduation went straight into the company of American Ballet Theatre dancing for Mikhail Baryshnikov. A few years later while on tour with ABT, he met Mia Slavenska. Ms. Slavenska was a world renowned ballerina and taught dance with a unique perspective and passion. Robert took a year long leave of absence to train with Ms. Slavenska. Robert went on to dance as a principal with ballet companies in Germany and Switzerland and toured the world. He returned to the US to ABT and ended his professional dancing career with Boston Ballet. He retired to Houston to be with his family and to work with Houston Ballet. When Studio of Dance was seeking a new director, he stepped into that role in 2005. Shortly after, he founded Ballet Theatre Houston.

[vrsfanatic]

Very sad news Amy. Thank you for posting. He was a wonderful dancer and a very kind man. A loss to the world.