Robert Clayton Ziegler, Sr's Obituary
Robert Clayton Ziegler, 88, passed away June 30, 2016 at his home in Spanish Fork, Utah from effects of Lewy Body Dementia. He is the son of Paul Clayton and Roxie Mae McKee Ziegler. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother, John Paul Ziegler, and by his first wife, Catalina Rosa (Kitty) Sandoval. He is survived by his wife, Connie Jo Fadely Ziegler, and his children – Laura Sue Ziegler Jones (husband David - deceased), Bianca Ziegler Steinbaugh (husband Michael), Bob Ziegler, Jr. (wife Marty), and John Paul Ziegler (wife Maria). At the time of his passing, he had nine grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, including a great granddaughter who joined the family a week before his death.
He had a wonderful, carefree childhood in Dayton, Ohio and, among other things, was very active in YMCA aquatics. In the summer of 1944 between his junior and senior year of high school, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Montana, after which he and his best friend bummed around the country, hitch hiking and riding freights. That winter at age 16 when the Dayton YMCA Aquatic Director joined the Army, Bob was hired to take his place.
Bob went to college at Ohio State University for four quarters and then joined the Army, serving as a fireman and military policeman on what was known as the Manhattan (atom bomb) Project. He married his first wife during this time. After discharge he attended Montana State University in Missoula (now the University of Montana) and was captain of the swim team. He graduated in Forestry in 1951, then went to work for the U.S. Forest Service, retiring in 1982. Within the Forest Service he had three separate careers – Forester, Accredited Rural Land Appraiser, and Special Agent in charge of Law Enforcement for the Eastern Region. Those positions took his family from Arizona to New Mexico, back to Arizona, then to Wisconsin.
Bob and Kitty divorced after 18 years of marriage. In 1968 he married Connie Jo in Phoenix, Arizona and they were later sealed in the Mesa Temple.
While in Phoenix, Bob joined the Phoenix Police Reserve, became a sergeant and received the 1972 Police Chief's Award. Also while there, he and a friend formed The Arizona Underwater Salvage Company, which led to a number of interesting dives.
In 1979 he led the family in the formation of a family organization and family trust fund, something which has been a boon to the family throughout the years.
After retirement from the Forest Service, he worked in Missoula, MT on a year contract with a private security company. Subsequently, he and his wife purchased 23 acres along the Columbia River in NE Washington near Northport where they developed an organic nut orchard. Aptly named “The Homeplace”, it was a special place where many of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren enjoyed spending time. It was a wonderful recreational location for his hobbies of hiking, biking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. During this time he also worked as an Independent Contractor doing background investigations for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and as a part-time U.S. Customs Officer on the nearby border. It was there at age 67 where he learned the joy of singing, and joined the Northport Community Choir.
By 2004 Bob finally retired from all outside jobs and from active orcharding, hoping to remain at “The Homeplace”. However, things were still too much to handle and the property was eventually put up for sale.
Bob and Connie Jo served a mission at Temple Square for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then relocated to Spanish Fork, Utah where he enjoyed the last five years of his adventure on earth. He has expressed his gratitude to his Father in Heaven for this amazing adventure and for his family, and the many, many people who have helped him along the way.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Friday, July 8, 2016 at the Spanish Fork 14th Ward Chapel, 1750 East 750 South, Spanish Fork, UT where a viewing will be held Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday prior to services from 9:45 to 10:45 am. Interment in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
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