Bob is survived by his wife, Millicent Jean (Mercier) Dalton of Payson, Utah, daughter Barbara Jean (Dalton) Niven (husband Jeffrey) of Provo, Utah, son David Thomas Dalton (wife Maria) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and daughter Mary Susan (Dalton) Wood (husband Mike) of Elk Ridge, Utah. Bob also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
When Bob was 8 years old, his family moved from Morgantown to Gary, Indiana, so his dad could find work during the Great Depression. His father died when he was 13, and he took over as head of the household.
At the age of 16, Bob and his family moved to California, where he attended Luther Burbank Junior High School, Santa Monica High School, and finally Canoga Park High School. Bob enlisted in the US Marines at the age of 17, and was shipped off to Hawaii during his senior year in Reseda, California. His mother was presented with his high school diploma just a week after Bob participated in the invasion of Saipan, in June 1944.
On June 15, 1944, Bob was part of the 3rd wave of US Marines heading for the beach on Saipan, when his landing craft was hit by artillery fire. Bob suffered wounds that resulted in the loss of his right leg, just above the knee, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. After the amputation of his leg, Bob was shipped back to the US where he spent nearly a year recovering and learning to use an artificial leg. It was during this lengthy period of medical recovery that Bob joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a decision which influenced his own life as well as generations of his descendants.
Following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Bob met and later married Millicent Jean Dalton on June 15, 1951. Bob and Jean celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this past June.
Bob worked primarily as a Touring Counselor for the Automobile Club of Southern California for most of his married life.
Bob remained an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after his baptism in the Marine Corps, and served in numerous callings throughout his life.
Bob will always be remembered by those who knew him, as optimistic and positive. On the morning of his death, he joked with the hospital staff that he wanted a hospital room with a view of the fireworks the following day.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at 11:00 a.m on Friday, July 12, 2019, at Nelson Family Mortuary at 4780 North University Avenue, Provo. Interment will then follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City.
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