Gilbert Robbins

Gilbert LeRoy Robbins died at the age of 84 at Beehive Homes Assisted Living Center in Riverton, Utah on Thursday, August 9, 2018. He was married to Annette Farnsworth on November 22,1960. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and were sealed together as a family in the Salt Lake City Temple on their 3rd wedding anniversary, which was also the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Gil grew up in Salt Lake City and attended South High School where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class. In 1955, he graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering with high honors. He was a member of TAU BETA PI, the Engineering Honor Society. His career spanned over 39 years which began with Utah Oil Company and ended with BP Amoco. While the company’s name changed Gil’s workplace never did. He was a trusted and revered co-worker.

He was drafted into in the Armed Forces (Air Force Branch), where he served in an in-active duty capacity at the beginning of the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged 4 months later (Oct. 9, 1957 – Jan 8, 1958). The military believed that with his chemical engineering background, he stood to make greater contributions to the war effort by working in the private sector.

His hobbies and interests included: tennis, fishing, camping, music, dancing, and gardening.

Gil had a love for music and dancing. He and his friends would go to Lagoon and dance at the Big Band concerts. He met his dear wife at a huge Stake Dance. He liked dancing with Annette because she was the only girl who could keep up with his unique style of dancing. Later in life, he and Annette would go Square Dancing along with his parents. His dad was a “caller” and his mom sewed all of their beautiful, elaborate dresses and coordinating outfits.

He had a great singing voice and was a member of the church choir. He liked listening to others sing, particularly a mens a Capella quartet.

Tennis was his passion. He entered numerous tournaments, too many to count, but one of his favorites was competing in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George. He loved watching the US Open and Wimbledon. The sounds of tennis matches on the television, to this day, remind each one of us of his love for the game and the gentle man he was.

Gil was known for his love of ice cream, his most favorite dessert. If there was a sale, he would load up the basement freezer with half gallons of ice cream. It was typical for him to grab one of those cartons and a large spoon to eat in the middle of the night. His favorite flavors were Chocolate Mint and Pralines and Cream.

Some of our families best memories are being together with Aunts, Uncles and cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Robbins’s cabin up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We also looked forward to our annual family reunion trip to Fish Lake. He loved taking his children and grandchildren fishing in the “Gilliyacht.”

Gil struggled with illness the last 16 years of his life. He was diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), a slow progressing and debilitating disease. His loving and devoting wife tenderly cared for him all those years, and it was only the last three years of his life that she received professional assistance for his care.

He loved his family, and providing for them was an important part of his identity. His life has been a good example of facing life’s challenges and enduring to the end. He was the consummate rolling stone that gathered no moss. He was always engaged in doing good, being active, keeping up with his yard, caring for the Church’s softball field, helping neighbors and if there was still enough daylight, he could wash just one more car. He was a brilliant, strong man and a hero to his family.

A special thank you to those who cared for Gilbert; Solstice Hospice Care, Beehive Homes of Riverton, and Sunrise Senior Living at Holladay.

FAMILY

– Annette Robbins, Wife

– Debbie (Mike) Knaras, Daughter

– Wendy (Jim) Hudgins, Daughter

– Becky (Steve), Daughter

– Doug (Teresa) Robbins, Son

– 11 Grandchildren

– 8 Great-Grandchildren

Gil was preceded in death by parents, Clarence and Roberta Robbins, and sister, LaRae Sansom.