[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING BOB CASALE OF DEVO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2014

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable 
life of Bob Casale, who passed away on February 17, 2014, at the age of 
sixty-one. Bob was raised in Akron, Ohio. He led an exemplary life 
while in pursuit of his dream of writing, producing, and performing 
music. Bob helped create a body of work with his band Devo that put the 
``new'' in new wave music. He ultimately changed the way a lot of 
people viewed both music and culture at the time.
   As one of the original members of the band Devo, Bob came of age in 
the middle of a huge cultural war in Akron, Ohio. There, Bob and his 
fellow band members Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, Alan Myers, 
and his brother Gerald Casale were inspired to form Devo after 
witnessing the Kent State massacre in 1970.
   In remembrance of his late brother, Gerald stated that, ``as an 
original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me 
from the beginning. He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer 
and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got.''
   In more recent years, Devo actively toured around the country and 
performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. ``He was 
excited about the possibility of Mark Mothersbaugh allowing Devo to 
play shows again,'' stated Gerald. ``His sudden death from conditions 
that led to heart failure came as a total shock to us all.''
   In addition to performing with Devo, Bob Casale worked for twenty 
years at Mutato creating and developing the sounds on various films and 
television shows. Prior to Bob's passing, he and his brother Gerald 
were working on what Gerald calls a ``Devo online school.'' The trade 
school project would teach participants how to write music with digital 
tools or how to score a commercial. The school would be taught by 
professionals who work in the field and have a track record of success, 
including former band member Mark Mothersbaugh. Though Bob is no longer 
around to see the project through, his family and friends will continue 
to spearhead the project in his name.
   Bob Casale was an extraordinary man with a great set of values who 
will live on in the hearts and minds of his friends, family, and fans. 
Bob is survived by his son Alex, his daughter Samantha, and his wife, 
Lisa. His long and productive life set an example to all of us and all 
who knew him. Bob's memory will continue to live on through the 
revolutionary music he left behind. Whip it!

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