Robert (Bob) Boyd Powers Jr's Obituary
Robert Boyd “Bob” Powers, Jr. left this life Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 88, due to complications from congestive heart failure. Bob was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 2, 1934, the oldest child of Robert Boyd Powers, Sr. and Mildred Adelane Irwin Powers. Bob was an incredible son, brother, uncle, cousin, husband, father, grandfather, Korean War Veteran, National Park Service Ranger, Educator and friend to all he met. He was smart, sarcastic, strong, stubborn, funny and had the best dry sense of humor. He loved to tease and tell funny stories. He was a staunch Democrat and watched CNN faithfully.
Bob grew up in California and at the age of 17, decided he “wanted to see the world”, and so enlisted in the Navy, with his father’s permission, because he was a few months shy of 18. He was told he was being sent to the base at Long Beach, California, but informed the recruiting officer that he didn’t join the Navy to only move within an hour from home, so was instead sent to serve on the Island of Guam as well as Japan, during the Korean War. He was full time Navy for 3 ½ years and then served in the Navy Reserves for another 4 ½ years, while attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He graduated from NAU with a Bachelor of Education. After graduation, he went to the Grand Canyon and worked as a National Park Service Ranger. It was there he wooed a cute curio shop girl named Mary Kay Croft, with his bright red convertible. They later married in Cedar City, Utah on June 9, 1962. They then moved to Bakersfield, California where they both taught school. In 1968, Bob and Kay relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where their children Michael and Holly were born.
Bob taught Elementary school for many years at various schools within the Granite School District in Salt Lake City, his favorite grades being 5th and 6th grade. While teaching full time and raising a family, he returned to school to earn his Master of Education from Westminster College, in Salt Lake City. He was a favorite teacher to many and made a positive impact on his students’ lives over the course of his teaching career. After his retirement, he found much enjoyment in genealogy and researching his biological family tree. To his delight, he discovered biological siblings, and their families, some of which he was able to meet in person and others through social media. He loved technology, and continued to work on his computer and stay connected with friends and family on Facebook up until a few weeks before his death.
Bob is survived by his son, Michael Powers, and daughter, Holly Powers Christiansen, grandchildren Katie, Josh and Chase Christiansen and Maddy Powers, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as his biological siblings, and their families. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary “Kay” Croft Powers, his parents, and brother Stephen Powers.
We express our sincere appreciation to all those neighbors, friends and family who cared for and supported both Bob and Kay, in their final years, as well as heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Legacy House South Jordan assisted living and Aspire Hospice, who provided such tender care during Bob’s last few weeks. Those of us who knew Bob in life are heartbroken to have lost him, but so happy he is out of pain and at rest.
A private celebration of life will be held for family and close friends Saturday, June 17, as per Bob’s wishes; he wanted “no fuss”. Interment Elysian Burial Gardens.
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