Hugh Voorhees

The world lost one of its finest on July 19, 2021, as Hugh Voorhees passed through this earthly sphere doing what he loved best – cycling. He was known as a consummate workout guy, never letting a day go by without some form of exercise. He was known to express often, "It's always a good day if you get in a workout." How we will miss watching this dedicated cyclist propelling through the streets of Holladay. His progeny has an appreciation of living healthy lives and embracing the outdoors through his example.

Hugh was born July 3, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and lived 78 years within the city environs. Ivan David Voorhees and Beulah Carlson Voorhees parented Hugh through his formative years and fostered a work ethic second to none. He lived in an idyllic neighborhood where the young boys could roam free all day long – a bygone era. With open spaces to play, the Devereaux Warriors, as they called themselves, spent their days exploring a nearby gully, hunting horny toads and lizards, playing baseball in a vacant lot, and enjoying a never-ending supply of friends. Hugh grew up in boy heaven.

One of his first jobs was passing out samples of Jiffy Peanut Butter introducing this new product to the neighborhood. Hugh and a friend also caught horny toads and offered them FOR SALE to naïve playmates.

Junior High introduced him to track and field. He fancied himself a high jumper and built a pit in his backyard. He later switched to high hurdles, finishing runner-up in the 1961 State Finals. In secondary school, he continued his quest to pay his own way in life. His Bishop offered him a job cleaning up construction sites. Later, Hugh worked for Kool Breeze Awning in their welding shop. Hugh usually rode the bus but saved money to eventually buy a 1951 Ford.

After high school, Hugh immediately signed on to the National Guard for his military service. He shipped off to Ft. Ord, California shortly after graduation from high school. Missionary service came next. Hugh was called to serve in the North British Mission and ministered honorably for two years.

Upon return from England, Hugh registered at the University of Utah, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science, a four-year medical degree, and five years of specialty training in surgery. During college, he joined the track team where his hurdling expertise soon earned him a scholarship. Self-reliant Hugh paid his way through school by working very hard each summer. He maintained the KSL relay tower in the mountains west of Salt Lake, worked as a bookkeeper for Monroe Machinery, and laid fence for American Fence Company by digging and cementing fence posts over a long stretch of Hwy 89. For several summers he worked the graveyard shift for Garrett Freight lines loading washing machines, dryers, freezers, truck tires, and farm equipment. This work ethic continued his entire life. Just a few short weeks ago, at age 78, he hauled a dozen wheelbarrow loads of dirt to our backyard to enhance our gardens.

During medical school, Hugh met and married Carol Van Rensburg, and together they raised four remarkable children. After twenty years, the marriage ended in divorce and Hugh began life as a single parent. He was wholly involved in his children's lives and spent as much time as possible with them, given his busy surgical practice.

Three years later in what Hugh described in his memoirs as the "light at the end of the tunnel," he met and courted a gal raising five children as a single mom, Kathleen Church. They were married in November of 1990 and have worked tirelessly for the past 30 plus years building a strong blended family. After dozens of graduations, marriages, and grandchildren, they boast a family of 51. Hugh and Kathy have created history together which is unparalleled. Hugh would do anything for this family. He is our North Star and has set the highest bar in character, health, and faith.

His skill as a surgeon saved thousands of lives over his career. However, this wasn't his most important work. His greatest work was his ability to repair broken hearts. He helped heal Kathy's heart when he took her to the temple for an eternal sealing. He helped heal the children's hearts as he so skillfully and lovingly fulfilled the fatherhood role. He loves all the children equally and each grandchild as his own. He set the example of caring for his elderly mother and mother-in-law. He allowed us to use our agency and rescued us when he could. All of these things helped to heal hearts and enlarge them to a greater capacity. That is what he does and who he is. Now he has a new assignment and his work is just beginning.

How do you honor a man who has spent his life serving others? So many acts of service started with Hugh. His idea. His plan. He is loyal, honest, trustworthy, incorruptible, tireless – no one can outwork him. Committed and loving husband and father – if he isn't a man at his best, who is? When he walks into a room, everyone breathes a huge sigh of relief. He is home. Everything will be all right.

His parents preceded him in death, but the living who mourn his passing are innumerable. Foremost is his eternal companion, Kathleen Egan Voorhees, his children, Dirk Voorhees (Emily), Jill Edwards, (David), Jennifer Voorhees, Dana Middlemiss (Jon), and five bonus children – Eric Church (Donna), Whit Church (Laura), Tyler Church (Tiffany), Kate Winsor (Jason) and Rebecca Matsumori (Devin). Thirty-two grandchildren have blessed this union. Chance, Campbell, Brooks, Ryan, Sophia, Elias, Brooke, Daniel, Titus, Amanda, Scotty, Ryan, Jackson, Davis, Ella, Avery, Tessa, Walker, Barrett, Wyatt, Elizabeth, Liam, Hugh, Tomi, Mae, Everett, Ione, Kiyo, Demi, Charles, Whitney, and Amy. Even the little ones call him Papa.

Hugh's nuclear family also survives him. Ann Oakey (Gerald), Pauline Wimmer (Doug), Darrell Voorhees (Bette), Randy Voorhees (Cindy) and Carol Fackler (John).

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 26th, at Holladay North Stake Center, 4395 S. Albright Drive, Holladay, Utah. Additionally, the family will host an Ice Cream Social on Sunday evening July 25th, from 6:30-8:30 PM at the same venue. If you attend, wear a bow tie – Hugh's signature look.

Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93934879949