December 27, 1936 ~ March 20, 2018
Robert G. Pedersen, "Captain Bob", always larger than life, "Never met a Stranger." His "Captainship" evolved from being the "Captain" of the family houseboat on Lake Powell to becoming a Captain and leader to friends and family worldwide. He was 81, but had the appearance and energy of a 60 year old. Bob passed away on March 20, 2018 from pneumonia, surrounded by his cherished wife Catherine and seven of their eight children: Rebecca (Rod), Michelle (Howard), Robert (Kim), Richard, Deborah (Steve), Amy, Jefferson (Heather). He was preceded in death by his youngest son, David Barton, and great-grandson Jackson Samuel McArthur.
Life began for Bob in Logan, Utah on December 27, 1936. His parents George and Wanda Pedersen moved to Stockton, California where Bob spent all of his teenage years. He graduated from Stockton High School early, and received a full-ride basketball and academic scholarship to Brigham Young University. That same summer, while helping his father lift water heaters, one of them fell on him, which resulted in a double hernia. This changed the course of his life. He couldn't play basketball, so he became involved in business and spent the rest of his life as an outstanding entrepreneur.
After recovering, while serving as a missionary in Sydney Australia, Elder Pedersen was one of two missionaries that ushered in a whole new era of "Mormon Yankees" basketball, with the inception of traveling proselyting tours. The basketball team traveled all over Australia, where he passed out Books of Mormon to each of the opposing "50" teams. Recently, a movie about the "Mormon Yankees" called "Spirit of the Game" was shown in local theatres… where he became a local celebrity signing autographs. Bob always loved his country, and was proud to say that he served in the Air Force National Guard.
After serving his mission, he met his sweetheart, Catherine Barton Pedersen, at Brigham Young University. Three and a half months later, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 22, 1960. Eventually, Bob transferred to the University of Utah, because he had more salesmen working for him in Salt Lake than he did in Provo. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Banking and Finance.
Bob and Catherine served for the first 12 years of their marriage in University of Utah 2nd Stake. Bob was called as Stake Young Men's President, and Catherine was called to be by his side as Stake Young Women's President, presiding over 500 young single adult students. They facilitated institute classes and a social dance each week. Then, he served on the High Council for the University 2nd Stake. At the end of the 12 years, Bob was called at the age of 34 to serve on the Young Men's General Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Catherine and Bob traveled all over the world, visiting and training the Saints. While traveling, Bob sought new and exciting products to import to his companies in the United States. The longest they were gone was two and a half months. They have traveled to all of the 7 continents in the world. Among many significant responsibilities within the Church, perhaps some that stand out are his service on several High Councils, several Bishoprics, his calling as Bishop of the Cottonwood 2nd ward, and two years spent as Director of the Oakland Temple Visitors' Center, where he was loved by his 80 sister and couple missionaries.
Bob has always had a love of the Book of Mormon. He looked for every opportunity he could to share his testimony of it. Recently, his calling was to write to and motivate the missionaries in his ward, which he did each month.
Bob's greatest attribute in business was his ability to sell. He was directly involved in over 20 businesses worldwide. He began by selling clothes out of his locker in high school to selling cookware, china, Bernina sewing machines, and diamonds, all while attending BYU. He imported Volkswagens from Germany, where he served on the Board of Directors of the International German-American Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about creating innovative household products, Bob started Magic Mill, where he manufactured the Magic Mill Wheat Grinder and imported the Bosch Kitchen Machine from Germany. He also imported brass from old ships in Taiwan, and Korean chests directly from Korea. In one of his businesses, Stratford Squire, Bob worked with Earl Nightingale (famous national broadcaster) creating motivational training tapes entitled 'The Measure of You.' In 1989, he was the Senior Vice President of Franklin Quest (Covey) where he oversaw all product, sales, and marketing. After retiring from Franklin, he became associated with a new company, Del Sol. Today, it is the world's largest color change retailer, with over 100 locations worldwide. As a master of sales and speaking, Captain Bob could never give a talk without using his hands. No matter his audience, he would always keep his audience intrigued and laughing, using several visual aids. Recently, Bob has been the head cheerleader for each of his children's business enterprises that include; Del Sol, Cariloha, Zagg, Lumee, Rodan and Fields, and Endevr.
Bob has chaired and participated in numerous civic and humanitarian activities. Bob served as the Senior Vice President and Chairman on the Investment Committee of the Utah Symphony Board of Directors. In 1992, Bob traveled to Barcelona Spain to watch the Olympics, with his youngest sons Jefferson and David. Their American flag was signed by the entire Dream Team. The "Flag Boy" video was shown to Utah Jazz fans worldwide. As a member of the "Day of Celebration" Committee in 2005, Bob was involved in an amazing outdoor youth celebration at the University of Utah. Through the Pedersen Family Foundation, he and his family have presented academic scholarships, in memory of his son, David B. Pedersen, to over 1,000 Taylorsville, Olympus, and East High School seniors. In addition to rewarding scholarships, Bob was passionate about educating these students about the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and other addictive substances.
Due to his energy level, Bob's personality would not allow for retirement. Always with a spirit of resilience, Bob recovered from two melanoma cancer surgeries. Bob and Catherine traveled extensively on family vacations, especially to their family cabin, The Creamery, in Bear Lake, Idaho, cultivating relationships with each of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bob will be remembered as one whose hand we could never shake, because he would always hug you first. Captain Bob's 8 Children, 29 Grandchildren, and almost 18 great-grandchildren will sorely miss the world's greatest cheerleader. Everyone knew they were Bob's favorite!
Bob is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, wife, Catherine, siblings: Gary E. Pedersen (Linda), James D. Pedersen (Kris) and Diana Dyer (Steve). Bob is preceded in death by his parents: George and Wanda Pedersen, and Catherine's parents: Dr. Ray and Helen Barton. A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 25 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive Holladay, UT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 26 at 11:00 AM at LDS Cottonwood 2nd Ward, 2080 East 5165 South, Holladay, UT, with a viewing prior, from 9:30 - 10:30 AM.
The Pedersen family would like to thank Doctors and Nurses at the IMC Neuro-ICU, and Respiratory-ICU for taking such good care of our Father.
In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the "Pedersen Family Foundation," where all of the proceeds will go directly toward the "David B. Pedersen scholarships." To donate, go to www.americanfoundation.org/pedersendonations.
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