Sidney Robert Leaver

Bob was born July 4, 1944 in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to Vegas before his high school junior year. Bob attended Rancho High School, graduating in 1962. He attended Chapman College on a track scholarship; then he transferred to the University of Utah. Bob stepped away from school to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Paolo, Brazil. Upon returning, he attended Brigham Young University. He married Mary Jane Johnston (Rancho ‘62) in 1968 and they moved to Oregon to start on the dental school adventure at Oregon Health and Science University. After graduating dental school, he spent several years in the Army, serving at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He then continued his education, specializing in orthodontics at St. Louis University.

After graduating from SLU, he returned to Las Vegas with his wife and family to open up his practice. He was an orthodontist for almost 40 years, most of it in an office on Meadows Lane. There he straightened teeth, but he also made his patients smile, laugh, and chat. He was very good at telling stories and listening to stories, even when he had his hands in your mouth, fixing your teeth. He had a great memory about who his patients were--their interests, their dreams, their backgrounds. They, in turn, knew about his humor, his kindness, and his shoe collection. He spent his life serving others in the capacity of his job and in callings at church.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, his four children, Jennifer (Eric) Allen, Scott (Andrea) Leaver, Amy (Fritz) Mast and Todd (Kelsey) Leaver, his 5 brothers and sisters, William Leaver, Dorothy Ivie, Samuel Leaver, John Leaver, Barbara Wagner. He is also survived by 12 amazing, talented grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Fay Leaver, and grandson, Jacob.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Primary Children’s Hospital in SLC in Bob’s memory or to a charity dear to your heart.

Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral services are private. You may participate through the Zoom on Thursday February 11, 2021 at 12:00pm PST with the following code, if you wish: https://zoom.us/j/99725028580?pwd=dUxwZWw0aitRbU1JV0xXV0dqUlc0UT09.