1931-2018
Robert Thomas Ferguson passed peacefully into the next chapter of his life on Dec. 5, 2018, in Holladay, Utah, at the age of 87. He had truly worn out his body in devoting his life to hard work and faithful service to God, his family, and his fellow man. He was born Sep. 9, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Clemon Emmerson and Lucile Elaine (Marcusen) Ferguson. He was the oldest of five children. He grew up in Salt Lake City, attending South High School, where he met Joan Mendenhall, to whom he was later married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. He attended the University of Utah, where he graduated from the College of Medicine. After serving in the Air Force as a flight surgeon and receiving further postgraduate medical training at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, he and Joan returned to Salt Lake City where he practiced medicine for 26 years as a physician and surgeon at the Ear, Nose and Throat Center of Salt Lake, of which he was a founding partner. He loved people and was grateful for the opportunity of serving many patients throughout his career.
Bob and Joan had seven children—Blaine (Kathy), Boyd (Denise), Ann (Jeff Wiest), Linda (Michael Sorensen), Mary (John Harris), Dean (Robin Kelson) and Janet (Steve Thackeray). At last count they have 25 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. His family was a top priority and he showed it by giving them his time, having fun with them, teaching them and helping them through difficult times.
Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. He served in many callings, including bishop, member of the Young Men’s General Board, mission president (Arkansas Little Rock Mission 1990-93), counselor in the Salt Lake Temple Presidency, and sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Most importantly, he taught his family the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shared his testimony with them, and set a good example of faithful obedience to righteous principles.
Bob was loving, honest, friendly, cheerful, generous and physically active (running marathons, playing tennis, riding his bicycle). He was highly intelligent and loved to learn. Reading was a passion for him. He had a great sense of humor, made friends easily and was loved by many people. He will be dearly missed.
Bob is survived by his wife, a brother (Marc), his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Joyce (Giles) and his brothers Scott and Kent.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 12:00 Noon at the Valley View 11th Ward meetinghouse located at 1925 E Gunderson Lane in Holladay. A viewing will be held on Friday, Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, and also at the church on the morning of the funeral, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Entombment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Mausoleum after the funeral.
