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The late Davidson College math professor Rob Whitton was also a music lover, and often turned up wherever local musicians were performing around town. On Saturday, many of those musicians performed during a day-long tribute at Summit Coffee and The Birdsnest in downtown Davidson.

Professor Whitton died last November after he was struck by a car on Concord Road, near Faculty Drive, while walking home from campus.

A variety of groups played and at least one song was written in his memory: Davidson Local performed “You Would Have Liked” by songwriter and Davidson College history professor John Wertheimer.

Friends and family of Rob Whitton marched from Main Street to Faculty Drive and back. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

The evening included a New Orleans-style musical march – led by two Davidson College horn players and drummers Tim Helfrich of Summit Coffee and Billy Jones from the Birdsnest. More than 100 people marched from Main Street to Faculty Drive and back to Summit. The evening wrapped up with a set by Davidson College grad and singer/songwriter Kate Minogue, who had traveled from Boston. (See more about the eventand a list of the entertainment in our preview.)

Donations made at Saturday’s events will go to the Robert Whitton Memorial Fund, set up in honor of the popular mathematics professor.and fund-raiser for a fund the his family has established to honor his memory.

Rob McHale (left) and Pat McHale were among a long list of local musicians who played in the tribute. He played behind Summit Coffee. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)