Alvin Robert Thorup

On July 5, 2016, I left my wonderful earthly family to join my Heavenly family. I will miss my earthly family, but look forward to seeing them again in an eternal twinkling of an eye. I came to this earth on December 11, 1952, the first child born to Robert Smith Thorup and Evelyn Jean Olson of Salt Lake City. I look forward to seeing them again. I will also miss my brother, Gary Richard (Suzanne) and my sister, Rebecca (Chris) Kinzel, all of whom still live.

I graduated in 1970 from Highland High, where I was active in Debate and first met the beautiful and vivacious Nancy Jean Wise, whom I later married in the Salt Lake Temple on July 14, 1977. We were blessed with five incredibly talented and loving children who have been the light of our lives. In 1975 I graduated with honors, from the University of Utah with a degree in Political Science, and in 1978, received my JD degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University, where I served as Articles Editor on the Law Review.

I interned for the Assistant Secretary for Energy and Minerals in the United States Interior Department in 1975, clerked for the United States Army Court of Military Review in 1976, and also clerked for Senior Administrative Law Judge Max Kane at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 1978-79. My entire time with Judge Kane was spent on the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline case, the third largest case then being prosecuted by the Federal government. In October 1979 I began a nearly 30-year career with the Ray Quinney & Nebeker law firm, retiring as a senior partner in June 2006. I started and ran my own legal services company until June 2008, when I accepted an offer to become Deputy City Attorney at the City of West Jordan. In November 2015, I was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which necessitated my retirement in March 2016, and ultimately took my life. Professionally, I am most proud of the key roles I played in the litigation and settlement of the “Wexpro Case”, which gained well over a billion dollars of benefit to the customers of Questar Gas; and in the drafting and lobbying for the Utah Administrative Procedures Act. I was a Judge Pro Tem in Utah’s Third District Court for over 25 years, active in the Utah Bar Association, and wrote a column in the “Enterprise” newspaper for many years.

A life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I served a mission in Japan from 1971-73 under the direction of President M. Tom Shimizu. Afterwards I taught Japanese at the Language Training Mission in Hawaii. During my life I served in many callings. My most memorable were Elder’s Quorum President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, High Priest Group Leader, Ward Physical Facilities, and Stake High Council. I have an unshakable testimony of my Father-in-Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am survived by my eternal queen and companion, Nancy, and our 5 children, 2 daughters-in-law, and 7 grandchildren: James Robert (Angie Henry), and their children Alexandra, Jonathan, Jackson, and Maxwell; Tamara Lynn Scoville, and her child Grace; Michelle Marie; Kevin Wise (Rachel Hales), and their children Samuel and Sophie; and our youngest daughter, Jennifer Jean. I appreciate the loving support I have received from family, friends, neighbors and medical professionals.

Family Note: Bob was a devoted, generous, husband, father and grandfather who always put his family first. A hard working, silent server, who gave liberally of his time and resources, he handled ALS with patience and grace, never complained, and was gallant to the end. We will miss him terribly.