Richard William Robison

Our dear husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather returned home to his Heavenly Father, Monday, October 14, in Draper, Utah. Richard was born May 1, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Russell R. and Madge Rockhill Robison. He graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served in the Eastern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Music was an integral part of Richard’s life. As a child, he learned to play the trumpet and began developing his impressive singing voice. He performed as a soloist, in the Tablender Quartet, in dance bands, and in choirs, culminating with the Tabernacle Choir. In 1957, he graduated from BYU, with a Bachelor of Music Education and a master’s degree in Musicology, and later, a Ph.D. in music in 1969. Some recordings of Richard's talent can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@RWRobisonMusic/videos. He taught music at American Fork Junior and Senior High. He met his eternal companion, Carolyn, in the Tabernacle Choir. They married June 5, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple.

While pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Indiana University, Bloomington for a career in opera/concert performance, he was invited to teach at Ricks College (BYU Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho, expanding their choir and vocal program, where he worked for 38 years from 1961 to 1999. Richard and Carolyn raised their eight children, living the majority of those years in Rexburg.

He showed deep devotion to his family and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with many people. He served faithfully in many church positions, and as a patron and temple worker in various temples. Carolyn’s and his missions to the historic Nauvoo Illinois Mission, and to the Salt Lake City Temple Square Visitor’s Center were highlights of their church service. In 2003, they moved to Draper, Utah to be closer to family members. Richard loved fishing and sharing those times with his family.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Richard, Mark Spencer (son-in-law), Cynthia Christopherson, Stephanie Johnsen (Steve), Leslie Johnson (Clint), Russell, Rob (Jennie), and Ryan (Meredeth); 28 grandchildren, 10.5 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his sister, Linda.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, brothers Keith and Robert, daughter Jeannette Spencer, son-in-law Michael Christopherson, and grandson Tanner Christopherson.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, at noon, in the Riverview Stake Center, 12101 S. 700 W., Draper, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held prior, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Interment will be at Salt Lake City Cemetery, 4th Avenue & “N” Street. The funeral will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.

Richard’s family wishes to thank all of the many kind and loving angels who helped care for him the last few years and weeks of his life. He will be greatly missed.