J. Robert (Bob) Folsom, 87, passed away on March 30th in his home in South Jordan, Utah. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, his brother, Larry, and his grandson, Luke. He is survived by his children (Todd, Kris, and David), twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
Bob was born on July 14th, 1935, to two loving parents, Everett and Nellie, who instilled in him a love of family, an adventurous spirit, and a hard work ethic. He grew up going camping and fishing (though often unsuccessful) around the western states. Family was also a priority for Bob, as taught by his loving mother. He graduated from East High School and then attended the University of Utah, where he joined the Lambda Delta Sigma Fraternity. He graduated with an architectural degree and began working at Deseret Architects and Engineers in Salt Lake City.
While working at Deseret Architects and Engineers, he noticed and began dating a receptionist named Helen. He forever was in love with his beloved Helen, and they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1962. The couple soon settled in Bountiful, and Bob worked as an architect at the University of Utah. Soon after, he was named the Head of Campus Planning at Weber State University. Eventually, Bob designed a home for his family in Farmington. Bob loved being with his family, mainly when working in the yard or on a lake in the family speedboat. Family excursions to Lake Powell were particularly memorable as Bob visited every canyon accessible by water.
After retirement, Bob served LDS missions with Helen at the Preston England and the Provo Missionary Training Centers. He was always willing to serve others in church callings. Bob loved family history and became expert enough to serve a third service mission at the Church Family History Center in Salt Lake City. He loved going to the temple weekly. His smile and calm demeanor will be missed by all.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on April 8, 2023 at 11:00am. The service will be held at the LDS church building located at 11473 South Chapel View Drive, South Jordan, Utah, 84095.