Ronald L. Corbin, beloved choral teacher at Martin County High School for 34 years, dies
He retired in 2014.
STUART, Fla. —
Ronald L. Corbin, a popular choral teacher at Martin County High School for 34 years, died Saturday. The Port St. Lucie resident was 77.
He began his teaching career at Bartow High School in Polk County, and in 1980 came to Martin County High School.
He led OPUS, Martin County High School’s choir, until he retired in 2014 “after dedicating his career to helping students find their voices and discover the joy of music,” the school district posted on Instagram.
“Our thoughts and hearts go to the family, friends, and generations of Martin County students who had the privilege of knowing Mr. Ron Corbin.”
He was known for more than being a choir teacher.
Corbin volunteered as a scorekeeper for basketball and volleyball, and traveled across the state to support Martin County High School athletics.
“Mr. Corbin gave so much of his life to our students, our schools and our community,” the district said. “His impact cannot be measured in years or accolades—it lives on in the countless students he encouraged, the music he helped create and the memories shared by those who knew him.
“We are deeply grateful for the life he shared with Martin County, and we will carry his memory with us, forever in our hearts. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”
The Florida Vocal Association also noted his passing.
Tribute by Florida Vocal Association
“His choirs consistently earned superior ratings at district and state performance assessments and were recognized as Choirs of Distinction by FVA. Corbin was added to the Roll of Distinction in 2014,” the FVA wrote on Facebook.
Corbin was added to the Roll of Distinction in 2014. In 2017, he received the R. Wayne Hugoboom Distinguished Service Award from the Florida chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
The Ronald L. Corbin Musical Arts Center at Martin County High School was dedicated in his name in 2015.
“We remember Ron with gratitude for his years of service, his passion for choral music, his mentorship, and the countless students and educators whose lives were enriched by his presence,” FVA posted. “Our deepest condolences go to Ron’s family, friends, former students, and the many members of FVA and the choral communities who loved and respected him.”
Ronald L. Corbin, a choir teacher at Martin County High Schoo lfor 34 years, died.
“We remember Ron with gratitude for his years of service, his passion for choral music, his mentorship, and the countless students and educators whose lives were enriched by his presence,” FVA posted.
New kidney
In 2018 at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, he received a new kidney from his daughter, Candice Corbin, who also was one of his former students.
Ronald L. Corbin received a kidney from his daughter in 2018. He appears in the hospital with staff members.
“I was walking down the street and suddenly, I felt like I was inebriated,” Ronald said in an article by the Cleveland Clinic. “That’s when I said, whoa, something is wrong.”
A follow-up appointment with his primary care doctor led to a visit with a nephrologist, who told him he had chronic kidney disease and would need to begin dialysis treatment immediately.
Candice, an accomplished singer who lives in New York, began thinking about what she could do to support her dad.
“I was shocked when he told me he needed to go on dialysis,” Candice said. “I remember thinking, I need to learn more and figure out what happens next.”
She continued to monitor her dad’s health over the next three years, knowing that one day, she would undergo testing to determine whether she was a successful match.
After completing initial testing in New York, Candice called her dad to share the news.
“When I told him I was a match, I think we were both shocked,” Candice said. “And I said, wow, this is really happening.”
“It just took my breath away that she would want to give me her kidney,” Ronald said.
Candice then began traveling to Florida to meet with Cleveland Clinic Florida’s multidisciplinary transplant team to prepare herself and her dad for surgery.
He received his new kidney from his daughter a few weeks before Father’s Day.
“I’m blessed to have her in my life, that she would think enough of me to do this for me,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything I can think of that would be a better gift than the one I got.”
Safe after being missing
In March 2023, he was found safe after not being found for almost 24 hours.
Corbin was found along Interstate 95 and was taken to the hospital.
He was last seen driving his gray Honda CRV heading west on St. Lucie Boulevard in Port St. Lucie.
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