Curiosity

Anyone that remembers Robert will remember what a curious person he was. He wanted to know how things worked and why things were, and he was fearless. Even as a very little baby he wasn't afraid of people or animals or trying to do something, and he usually found a way to do what he set out to do. He also loved animals, because he had a tender heart. These pictures are of his first birthday at the zoo! Notice how fearless he was. He wanted to touch that sheep's wool and be close to that strange animal named pig! (Check out his groovin' 70's stripped pants!)

Service & Compassion

I have two stories about Robert that I think demonstrates some of his unique qualities.

When Rob was 16, the High Priests in our Ward undertook a service project to help a family with 3 or 4 children that had moved into a home in West Valley. This family had experienced some difficult financial problems in California, so they sold all their funiture, beds, etc. and moved to Salt Lake in their car in search of a better life. The local Bishop helped them rent an apartment, and get some food. Our Quorum decided to funish their home as best we could. After canvasing the ward for items, Robert helped us deliver them to the family. Afterwards, Robert came home and loaded into his car his own television and VCR that he had undoubtedly acquired and repaired from a used store. He delivered them to this family in the late afternoon without telling anyone. Several days later, I noticed them missing from his bedroom, and I asked him about them. He explained to me what he did and simply said, "I felt they needed them more than me".

When Robert was a senior in high school, he represented Hillcrest in the annual Vocational Industrial Clubs of America ( VICA ) in the field of "Electonics, Product Servicing". He took first place in the regional tournament, and then went to compete in the State Tournament. After the competion there was an awards ceremony in the auditorium of a high school in Provo. Our family was sitting with him in the back. Obviouly, we were very excited as we waited for the results. When the announcer began the awards for Robert's catagory, he began by first announcing the third place winner. The recipient made his way to the front of the stage, and received his award. Next, the second place winner was announced. Robert got up as well and started walking toward the front, but a little slower. When they announced the first place winner, which was Robert, he was almost on the stage. After he received his award, he returned to sit with us iin the back. I asked him why he started walking to the front before his name was called and he simply said, "When they announced the 2nd place winner, I knew I had won, because I was a lot better than him". Robert was able to represent the state of Utah in the National VICA competion in Kentucky latter that year.

Ron Holt

Can It Finally Be Spring?

I remember the morning, in the year 2000, when I looked out my window and was startled to see snow! How could this be? Where had spring, which I love best, and early summer and golden autumn gone? And, I remember feeling astonished to realize those seasons had slipped by in that dark time of illness and grief. I remember for several years how I could not tolerate the scent of even one single flower, when before I had loved flowers of every kind and hue! I’d loved their tender beauty, their soft petals and their fragrance—how I’d always loved them until that month I found my house filled with gorgeous hothouse blooms wafting the cloying scent of funeral. I remember when spring came again that year, how painful my beautiful season of hope and joy had become. So every year for ten years, as soon as the first crocus would begin to push out of the cold earth, I’d begin to mourn. And, gradually over the last few years, by the time April came, Robert’s April—Robert’s month of birth—and death, there were no tears or sorrow by then because I had cried them out in February and March.

Eventually, I could not resist my former love—their soft petals and sweet fragrance wooed me again and I knew I STILL love flowers! And then spring—oh glorious spring, it came again to my heart, after February and March wrenched it so. And, then this year—this year as the crocus peeked through the earth, I was startled again. I smiled it a welcome! This is the season of renewal, the season of hope, the season of the Lord’s resurrection and redemption!
And, the season that I have finally started to remember! To remember my firstborn baby boy—the boy I loved—the boy I still love with a mother’s heart. And so I started the “Remembering Robert” blog. It’s February and I’m not crying, I’m looking at his sweet baby pictures and reveling in memories—good memories! Though I know it’s hard, please, please share your good memories too—even the little scraps that might not seem like much are precious to me! And each story and memory is bringing a smile to my face this year instead, of a tear!

Dianne Rosi-Koskinen

I surely do remember him taking our broken VCR (in days when it was for us a treasure to own, and we couldn't have replaced it easily, or for a long time), making it as good as new. He had parts from another one and the skill to make it work for us. He did it cheerfully and with good will. This was my most personal one on one experience with Robert.

I think of his smile: that little grin that always made me feel like he knew some secret that pleased him to know.

Rob's First Tricycle

Darla's post on meeting Rob for the first time while riding his tricycle took me back to the day he got it. For Robert's second Christmas when he was only 18 months old Santa gave him a tricycle and little red wagon. Everyone told us he was too young to ride a trike. Well, we knew how determined that kid was so we got it anyway, but it surprised even his adoring parents when he rode it proficiently in one day! We were renting a house in Glendale, California at the time and it had a large slab of cement surrounded by an unfenced lawn in the backyard. I spent a LOT of time back there, with my little four month old Kristi bundled up watching that excited little baby, ride that trike hard---around and around and around pulling all his favorite toys behind in the wagon! (Bonnie)

Lynn & Kathy Samsel

Two things we remember about Robert: first his perseverance and his not letting things stand in the way of what he wanted to do. I remember he went on the Pioneer Trek - it was the first trek the stake did, and it was really, really hard (the stake did that trek only the one year; after that the treks were shorter, milder and more modified). And while people in the best of health had trouble doing the trek (the physical distance they covered in a day, the no food and next-to-no-water), Robert did it with a broken leg. I don't know if I am remembering right, but I think he was still using crutches. The second thing we remember was he was very intuitive in his mechanical abilities and could fix things...a wonderful mind and such determination.

Eileen Romney

Bon, I only have one story to relate about Robert but it is a tender story that brings fond memories of him.

Late one afternoon in the early spring my husband Stephen was out of town. I was a full time working mother with 5 kids and a mother who lived with me. This particular day my car decided to break down right in front of my house. I was so discouraged and felt that I had absolutely no time or patience to deal with this. I knew nothing about the mechanics of cars and felt very inadequate to handle this. Robert (I believe, still in high school) had just come around the corner in his car and seeing our demise, stopped to see if he could help. He instantly knew what to do and briefly left to get something from his house to repair the car. It took him about an hour to repair the car and left without accepting anything for his payment. I was totally amazed how such a young man knew so much and was so willing to help with such a pleasant demeanor. This isn't something a young boy would normally do. The car worked perfectly and I will look back on this good Samaritan with tender feelings from a mother who was broken.

Ann Reynolds

Here is a Robert memory. When he came to my house, he loved my summer squash casserole. At first, I think he was afraid to try it. But once he did, he couldn't get enough of it. I remember him chilling out on my family room couch watching videos with the boys. My family room isn't there anymore, but lots of memories are.

John Mettenet

Bonnie - I'm honored to contribute to this great way to honor Robert. I have great memories of Robert from the years I was one of his Young Men advisors. Two memories in particular stand out. First, our Priest Quorum decided to climb Mount Timpanogos. I remember the "adventurous" Robert taking a couple of side trips off the beaten path and I wondered if we'd ever see him again but he made it back. When we got to the top a storm was starting to roll in and you could literally feel the electricity in the air. Robert climbed on top of the metal box on the summit and stretched his hands to the heavens and his hair was standing straight up. I would have laughed at the sight of him if I wasn't scared that he was going to be struck by lightning. We had a great time!! I haven't climbed Timpanogos since but every time I drive into Utah County and look at Timpanogos and think about that day and Robert.

Second, I remember sitting at home one night when there was a knock at my door - it was Robert. He was very excited and said, "I've got to show you something". He walked into my family room and turned on our stereo searching for a specific station. He finally settled on a station that was playing music. He turned and looked at me waiting for a reaction. I said, "it's music so what?" Robert said, "I'm broadcasting on this station from my house". I remember thinking there is absolutely no way this could be true. How could a 16 or 17 year old kid be smart enough to create his own radio station. We jumped in my car and drove to his house ad sure enough he was broadcasting from his room. His house had all kinds of wires and antennas running out from every angle on the roof. Amazing - what a brilliant and talented person!! I think of this moment every time I go by the Holt's house and smile.

Darla Wardle

What a great idea to Remember Robert in this way. I have to tell you that I remember little 4 year old Robert as our first friend in the neighborhood when we started to build our dream home in Riverton. It is a vivid memory that as we pulled up to the curb to see the building lot we had purchased sight unseen while living in California, Rob was riding his trike on the sidewalk in front of your home, next to ours. He parked his trike and watched us get out of the car. It must have been a dream come true for him to see 5 small boys pile out of the car! We told him that we were going to build our home next to his. He was so happy. He even looked like our boys, with his red hair and freckles. So it wasn't a surprise to find out his dad and our dad were 2nd cousins. That was the start of our life long friendship with your family and ours.

From Jason Wardle

My very first memory of Rob was playing in the sand in your backyard sand box. I was probably 3 or 4 at the time. It is one of the first memories I have in my entire life. Rob was determined to make the largest sand castle in the world. When it was all said and done I think it was about waist high. I was amazed. I remember bragging about him to my classmates the next year when I entered Kindergarten. We tried to replicate a sand castle of that same size in the Southland Elementary Kindergarten play area, but no one could create a sand castle larger than Rob. He was a legend.

More memories to come…

Little Grabby Hands!

From the moment Robert was born, he was curious!!!! His dad remembers watching him as the nurse took him to the nursery, where he was weighed and bathed and dressed. Ron said he just kept looking all around, I know babies aren't supposed to see much, but right from the very first moments of life---Robert wanted to see and experience all of it that he could!

As soon as his little manly fists (he had the most wonderful, square masculine little boy hands) could grasp things---he did! He wouldn't hold still for a minute---reaching for EVERYTHING! I cannot tell you how many times I would get home from the grocery store with items that Robert put into my shopping cart while I wasn't looking! His first nick-name was little "Grabby Hands!" (Bonnie)

I Promised Rob That I Would Remember The Good Times!

At Robert's funeral I had our bishop read my testimony. In that I expressed my love for him and promised him that I would remember the good things and good times. That's the reason for this blog.