Robert Korda, former L.A. Philharmonic violinist, is found dead

Robert Korda, a violinist who played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for nearly 20 years, was found dead Sunday by the Los Angeles Police Department after he was reported missing by his family on Wednesday.

The LAPD said that Korda, 68, was reported missing after he failed to show up for work at the Gower Studios in Hollywood last week. An investigation as to the cause of his death is underway.

Korda began his tenure as a second violinist at the L.A. Philharmonic during the 1960-61 season and played with the orchestra until 1980. During his time with the philharmonic, Korda played under the baton of two music directors -- Zubin Mehta and Carlo Maria Giulini.

Since leaving the philharmonic, Korda has worked as a freelance musician and played with various orchestras and chamber groups.

According to police reports, Korda's body was identified Sunday in custody at the coroner's office. It turned out that authorities had picked up his body Wednesday at a home in Glendale and transported it to a hospital where he was pronounced dead later that same day. The body was subsequently transferred to the coroner's office.

Korda's son, Noah, had launched a frantic search for his father via a personal blog.

"My father has been found and my family and I are making funeral arrangements," says the latest entry on the blog. "At the families request, we ask at this time to please do not call any of the family's cell phone numbers or home numbers."

-- David Ng

Related: Missing Van Nuys violinist found dead

Photo: An undated photo of violinist Robert Korda. Credit: KTLA

Comments

[JHX]

This makes no sense since supposedly the family contacted the coronor's office during the time they were looking for their father so the coronor's office had the info that this man's family gave them. Someone really screwed up and caused this family a lot of pain.

How truely sad.

[Suzanne Sullivan]

This blows me away! The coronor works in relation to the PD. PD is suppose to check all emergency rooms and coronors office when they have a missing person. This can be done by phone. And the coronor is suppose to identify the person that comes in, let family know, etc. What a major screw up!

[Kimberly]

The reason that they weren't able to find him through the coroners office, was because they had him listed as Robert Morda. Stupid typo. Very sad for the family. My cousin was married to Bob's daughter, so he is taking the loss very hard.

[Suzanne Sullivan]

The name isn't that far off (should have raised a big red flag) especially if Roberts ID didn't come in with him and certainly the physical description matched. Six years of being a police officer and having to look for missing persons tells me ..No excuse! From Wednesday until Sunday to get him identified... way too long a wait for the family and it wasn't necessary. My sympathy are with them.

[Heather]

agreed that this mess up caused the family far too much pain, for all the media coverage in papers and news, there is no excuse for such poor management of the system. There were search parties out on searches every day for this man, so much time and energy expended from this family and friends while the coroners office dropped the ball. Very disappointing.

[Maria]

My question is WHY didn't the person(s) at the home where "authorities" were called to, attempt to contact the family? An why didn't anyone answer the cell phone that must have rang a billion times in desperation of finding Mr. Korda? The coroner couldn't put 2 and 2 together when asked about Robert Korda as opposed to Robert Norda?? Many balls were dropped here. This was not the way Mr. Korda's life should have ended. He should have been surrounded by the family who absolutely adored him, not all alone under the wrong name!

[h.crosby]

Friends and family frantic because of a typo?!! Hmmm and the government wants to do what?.....when?

[Blacktech]

I don't think everyone can appreciate the huge number of deaths that occur here in Los Angeles every day. Have you ever been to the L.A. County Coroner's office? Been in the freezer? Seen the bodies stacked? Bodies you don't know about because they're minorities that the news doesn't care about (although there is a journalist trying to change all that). I'm not totally defending the errors, but we have to keep in mind what a daunting task it is to keep up with the bodies that come in. It's not like one guy dies every few days.

Also, there's an investigation going on. We don't know the circumstances of his death. If there was foul play, of course no one is going to answer his cell phone. Or if he was alone and debilitated. There are many explanations, but I'm hoping LAPD Homicide will figure it out, as they're smart people.

[A. Carreon]

This is absolutely shameful! Those of us that were friends of Bob's are appalled at this senario! This should not have happened to anyone!
Rest in peace Bobby...

[Sherna Kopple Svensson]

Dear family,

I am shocked and saddened to learn of Robert's passing. He and I played in high scholol, and I think all-city, together. I was violist in counterpart to his lyrical violin and we maintained a great respect and admiration for our music. We saw each other amazingly at various theatres in LA and last at the Hamilton reunion last October.

Please accept my sincere sympathy and support for you all as you get throught this unforgiveable nightmare that you were put through.

Shalom.

[Sandy]

Bob, I am going to miss you my friend. A wonderful last memory for me to carry was Bob came to our auctions (longtime friend of my father and I). We had an old violin with 2 strings on it all beaten up. Bob came up to the front of the auction and played it for us and the other customers. What a gem. What a memory. Love you Sandy

[Frankie Meppen]

Dear Venida, Noah, Erin and Sarah

I remember your special family and the happy times we shared at Adat ariel Nursery School when I had you kids in my class and your dear dad came to play his violin.
I am so very sorry for your loss of this special man who was your husband and dad.

Most sincerely,
Frankie Meppen

[WendyLady]

To all the family... my condolences... to Jerry... on the loss of your brother... to Noel... on Uncle Bobby... my prayers are with your family... Shalom!
WendyLady

[V. Koler]

I woke up Sunday morning and even before I brewed that first cup of black gold, I went to Noah Korda’s blog. He said that his father was found and when my eyes gazed at the words “funeral arrangements,” a chill ran up my spine.

A million questions ran through my mind. How, where, why... Then I opened an email from a good friend and he eloquently brought it all home. The only thing that really mattered was that we had lost a good friend, and colleague. And the world has suffered the loss of a great talent.

Bob Korda was first and foremost what they call in Yiddish, a mensch. I know of no equivalent single word in English. A mensch is a person who does the right thing, even when it is not in his best interest. He helps others and often offers support. Often times the mensch is a mentor. Bob Korda was indeed a mensch.

I know for certain that I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with, and for him and his family.

Rest peacefully my brother.

Vic

[Maria]

Not sure why Blacktech is making excuses but Mr. Korda HAD ID on his person and certainly his personal effects came with him to the coroner's office, correct? While it is true, we cannot change what has been done, we can still seek justification and attempt to give Mr. Korda back the dignity of which he was stripped at his most vulnerable hour.

[Maria]

They called authorities to their home, gave their names, their address, you want I should believe they wouldn't notify the family because they did something to cause the death? Why would they notify authorities and not the family? Please, I do understand. I worked LE for over a decade. Mistakes happen BUT this was inexcusable.

[Connie Parente]

I was so shocked when I saw Bob Korda's face on the news as a missing person.
I recognized the name and face immediately from seeing and speaking with him at the Bustamante Antique Show in Pasadena many times.
He was a very interesting and lovely man with whom I had a relationship through my business of selling vintage jewelry.
One of his relatives was Alexander Korda who designed jewelry for the movie "Thief of Baghdad".
He'd search for certain pieces for his sister who was a collector of Alexander Korda's work.
I never heard another thing about his disappearance so I found his business card and tried to call but the answering machine was full.
He'd given me his card because his brother had some jewelry he was selling and I had bought some of it.
When I got nowhere on the phone I googled him and found out that he has passed away.
I remember him well and will always think of him when I do that show or find a piece of Korda jewelry.
My heart goes out to his family for this great loss and for the unnecessary torture they were put through due to this horrid error.
Peace to all of you who loved him.......
Connie Parente

[DorohtyMarion]

BOBBY, Robert Korda, you are missed here on Earth, and things did got go smoothly at the time of your untimely departure. What is done, is done and now we only can Celebrate the amazing , exemplary life you led. MUSIC and cheerful humor, helpful and kind to all, and especially to those you loved. PEACE and joy to surround you now. WE must not dwell on the negative, as you rarely did, in life.
Dorothy Marion

[Janelle Palmer Williams]

Bobby was highly regarded and loved by our father both as a colleague in music and as a good friend. Such sad and shocking news! We recently lost our own father, fellow violinist Don Palmer. We know the grief of losing such a great treasure and mentor. It is an emptiness that cannot be replaced. Emptier because he was such a lovely man who did so much good in his life. To the Korda Family, our deepest condolences. Our hearts go out to you. With love from
The Don Palmer Family

[pat sturges]

To venida and the kids,

Your dad was one in a million. i joyful raconteur who told the most amazing and interesting stories of his life and people he has known....you will be missed Bob and the LAPD did screw up bigtime......