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