Robert S. (Bob) Whitmore died peacefully on September 14, 2015, surrounded by family, of causes incident to age. Born Oct. 3, 1927, to James M. and Cora L. Whitmore, he grew up in the Granite community on the family farm with his siblings: Wanda, LaVoy, Keith, and Merle. He said his education was obtained all over the world, but formally in the Jordan School District and the University of Utah.
At an early age he developed a love of music which became his life's work. He began teaching piano students at age 15, and he calculated he taught several thousand music students during his career in Granite School District's Plymouth Elementary group piano laboratory and at his private studio.
At the tail end of World War II, Bob was rejected for service in the military because he was too skinny. A few years and a few pounds later, Bob was eligible for military service and was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a cryptologist in the Army Signal Corps in the Korean War, with extra duty as a chaplain's assistant when the chaplain visited from Tokyo. While he was still stateside in training, one of his buddies from Utah asked if Bob would like to write his musically inclined sister. After a couple of dates, Bob shipped out to Korea and wrote letters while overseas.
After he returned, Bob resumed his courtship and married Phyllis Burton in the Salt Lake Temple in 1954.
Bob was active in the LDS Church all his life, serving in many positions: as a young man in the late 1940s he served as a missionary in the Western States Mission. One of his companions, Leonard Rowley, married Bob's younger sister, Wanda. Bob sang in the Tabernacle Choir for 25 years, some of that time with Phyllis. Served as an ordinance worker in the SL Temple with Phyllis when they were not serving missions. Served missions with Phyllis to the Central America Area in Guatamala, and twice to Nauvoo, IL. Also served with Phyllis as a member of the Temple Square Concert Series Committee for many years.
Bob's biggest passions in life were his faith, his family, and music. But he also was green long before it was popular: planting trees, growing produce in his own garden, utilizing solar energy, refusing to use chemicals to control weeds, combining errands to save fuel, reusing and recycling, capturing rain water for later use on his plants, and watering his yard with irrigation water—not treated water. He believed firmly in self-reliance and being prepared.
Preceded in death by parents; siblings Wanda, LaVoy, and Keith; granddaughter Hillary; and great grandson James. Survived by Phyllis and their children: Robert Jr. (Kathy); Rachel (Michael); Earl (Lori); Elaine (Blaine); Michael (Lisa); Ann (David); Gene (Pam); Carl (Mandy); 32 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; and sister Merle.
A funeral will be held at the Garden Heights North Ward, 2220 E. Fisher Lane, SLC, UT at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. A viewing will be on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday before the funeral from 9:30 ‚ 10:30 a.m.
Interment in the Midvale City Cemetery.
