Robert David Burton, age 73, passed away on July 15, 2018 in Murray, Utah, at the IMC Respiratory ICU. He was lovingly nurtured and cared for by his wife, Linda Ann Prichard-Griffiths Burton, five daughters, Wendy (Doug), Tammy (Ramon), Angie (Dan), Lisa (Justin), Melissa Bobbi (Dave), and if you can believe it, finally a son, Steven. After a brief, valiant battle with a lung disease of unknown cause, Bob returned to his Heavenly Father and Savior. He was born on September 30, 1944 to John Alton and Phyllis Jones Burton in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the sixth of seven children, five brothers and one sister.
Robert was sealed to Linda in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 7, 1969. They met at the LDS Hospital where they both worked. One day, Bob called her and introduced himself by saying, "Hi, my name is Bob Burton and I am single!" Linda always thought that was the worst pick-up line she had ever heard… but apparently it worked.
Bob graduated from South High School in 1963. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy where he served as a Yeoman on the Aircraft Carrier USS Ticonderoga. While serving during the Vietnam War, he spent one year stationed in the China Sea adjacent to Hanoi. He was a history buff, enjoyed war documentaries, and was passionate about the WWII era. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, coin and stamp collecting, and loved corvettes.
After marriage, Bob worked in hospital administration for 30 years, which included the LDS Hospital, Cottonwood Hospital, Delta Memorial Hospital (in California), and was the Vice President of the Utah Hospital Association. He then built a successful Tax Practice, Executive Business and Tax, which he ran for 25 years until his retirement in 2017. He earned an Associate's from LDS Business College, a BA from U of U, and a Master's of Public Administration from BYU.
In 2004, Robert and Linda served an Inner City Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah for the LDS Church. At his passing he was serving a full time mission, with his wife Linda, in the Utah, Salt Lake City South Mission. Bob had a powerful testimony of the gospel and a great love of Jesus Christ. He knew he was his Savior.
Robert has six devoted children who doted on him. He started the family tradition, which continues today, of vacationing in Southern California every summer. He enjoyed traveling and visited almost every continent. He was a devoted husband and father who shared his light with all who crossed his path. He will be missed more than words can express.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 19, 2018 at the Dimple Dell Stake Center, 10945 South 1700 East in Sandy Utah. Viewings will be Wed, July 18, 2018 from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Garden Mortuary, 10600 South 1950 East and 10-10:45 Thursday at church. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
