Tribute for 'Missing Violinist' Planned, Location of Death Explained

Earlier this month, Robert Korda's family used the internet to round up help to find a missing loved one. Van Nuys resident and Los Angeles Philharmonic veteran Robert Korda never showed up to work after suffering a heart attack the night before. But when his body was brought to the coroner's office, sans identification, fingerprint databases were used and he was erroneously identified as Robert Norda, not Korda. That prompted a manhunt over next few days until the misspelling was figured out. In an article about Korda's memorial tribute in August, the Daily News explains that Korda died while doing some do gooding:

Korda had suffered a heart attack on July 8, when he was at a home in Glendale, negotiating the purchase of a violin for The Music Guild, which provides musical instruments to inner-city schools, said his ex-wife, Venida. He was rushed by ambulance to Glendale Adventist Hospital, but he died an hour later.

He wasn't carrying any identification, Venida Korda said, so coroner's officials used his fingerprints to try and determine his identity. They got a hit on a Department of Justice database used to screen applicants for various licenses, but it incorrectly listed the name as "Norda."

The tribute, tentatively planned for August 25 at Canoga Park's Madrid Theatre will include a serenade by strolling violinists, orchestral music and Dixieland music. Those wanting to donate in Korda's memory can by sending money to the non profit he helped: The Music Guild, 6022 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 203, Los Angeles 90036-3616.