Robert M. Pixton (85) was born on June 13, 1938, in Salt Lake City, UT, and died on January 5, 2024, in Salt Lake City, UT. He was predeceased in death by his wife Barbara Carol Rather (67) on April 27, 2003. They were married on July 19, 1963, in the St. George LDS Temple. They had a deep and abiding love for each other, and the 20-year separation was a hardship on Robert. He was also predeceased by his son Andrew, son-in-law Jim, grandson Sam and many others.
He and Barbara had nine children, listed in age order: Matthew Robert (Carol), Jennifer Carol (Mark), Candace Leigh (Mark), Laura Jane, Sarah Ruth (Travis), Peter Douglas (Dolly), Allison Theresa (Dan), Andrew Seth (deceased) and Rosemarie Rather (Dallas). They also had 31 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Robert is a 6’7” rock upon which his family is founded, and they are “looking good”, waiting patiently for “scritchy scratchers” and “tricky tricks” until they meet “Boom-Pa” again at Jesus’ feet.
Robert served an LDS Mission in the British Isles. His mission was an important foundation to his numerous callings in the LDS church, including bishop, stake president, patriarch, and sealer in both the Albuquerque, NM and Mt. Timpanogos Temples. He touched many people’s lives while he served in these callings.
Robert graduated from the University of Utah with his undergraduate (1963) and graduate (1969) degrees in physics. Thereafter ensued a life-long career in laser physics. His life’s journey took him from Utah to Florida to New Mexico and back to Utah (in meticulously white converse tennis shoes sized 13).
He loved cycling and rode at least 20 miles in 28 different states. He reached his goal of 5,000 miles on the bike a year even into his 80’s. His children will never forget his bike with the broomstick banana seat. He also enjoyed playing the piano with very loud rendition of songs learned by ear, gardening, and reading. He sang bass and Barbara sang alto in family gatherings, carrying many a Christmas tune.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah 84092. A viewing will be held that day at 9:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the funeral ceremony. Here is the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89810565973
The family would especially like to thank everyone who helped their father in his final phase, including all those who showed him kindness at St. Mark’s hospital.
Prayers for the whole family. He was a wonderful man. I was so privileged.once to be able to drive to Mesa with Barbara and he for a temple trip. I taught in the classroom connected to Barbara’s for a couple of years right before she became ill. I know how happy the two are that they are reunited once again.
Much love to all you Pixtons! What a great legacy this man has left! I’m sure he is already busy and making the Spirit World an even better place.
Allison has been a part of our family, for so many years, even after Jeromy passed away. Allison always made it a point to stay in touch with a family xmas card. It was so much appreciated when Allison also made it a point to visit Mitchell, Kathleen and keep them in touch with her and her children.
Sending flowers this time a year seems so pointless, but the Christensen Family would very much like to show our support and love for your family at this time. Would it be possible to make a donation in behalf of the Pixton Family to an organization. Read in the obituary that he loved cycling. Maybe something in that order. We are open to suggestions.
Again the Christensen Family would like to express our condolences for the loss of your beloved father. He led a good life with many accomplishments to be proud of.
My family's condolences on the passing of Br. Pixton. He was my father's home teacher in the Eldorado Ward in Albuquerque. I was privileged to be his. He gave, my stepdaughter, Codi Block, her patriarchal blessing (she is of Benjamin!). Holiday ended at Dad's driveway on Chelwood. I was thinking about him last week. On one occasion, he was bemused about how much he spent on bicycles; he thought his younger self would have been surprised. He was putting in about 100 miles a week back then, which is right on target for the annual 5,000 you mentioned. He was quiet and kind and I have missed him. He and Barbara must be overjoyed, Our Father's Plan of Happiness in operation through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They are not gone, just gone ahead!
Candace and Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I wish I had gotten to meet your dad. He must have been a wonderful father to all of you.
Hugs,
Sallie
I remember Bob always surprising me with his sense of humor. Sorry to the family for your loss. May all the good memories comfort you as you see him home.
Enjoyed working with him when he was a Stake President. Thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family. Families can be together forever!
What a great man! He impacted me with his touching and sincere talks in stake and ward conferences. One message in particular still resonates inside me from 20 years ago. My prayers are with you all.
Such wonderful people who made this world a better place. Both Barbara and Robert were an important part of our families' lives. All of our children received their Patriarchal blessings under his hands. And he was the sealer for our Judy and Dales wedding here in Albuquerque. He was a Home teaching Companion with our son and gave us love and taught us in in his quiet loving way. Barbara called us up to pass on a scripture ahead of time every week. She wanted to help our Son, (he has Autism) learn and grow as she taught his class. So happy for them knowing they are together again. together. Loved and missed!
I loved President Pixton, and will never forget his intervention in a fast and testimony meeting right after he was called as stake president with a man bearing testimony of false doctrine. It had a lasting impression on me and my testimony of the chain of revelation. He also sealed me to my husband in the Albuquerque temple in 2001. President and Sister Pixton came to our wedding luncheon afterward at Garduno’s and I loved having them with our family that sweet day. My heart is with you all at the loss of this great giant of a man.
We loved Robert Pixton and his great family. We spent many hours together in stake presidency meetings in Albuquerque and traveling to ward conference all over northern New Mexico when we had 19 units in the Albuquerque NM East Stake. And, my second missionary companion, Elder Rather, some sixty plus years ago was Sister Pixton's brother - though we didn't learn that for many years until I was setting Sister Pixton apart for some stake position. What fond and happy memories we have of all the Pixtons. I know of no greater family. President Pixton has always been such a devoted, faithful example of love, service and kindness to all he knew.. Please know how grateful we are to have been touched personally by his life of goodness. I'm sure we will be greeting him and Barbara with great joy in the not distant future.
Our condolences to the family. We will always cherish our memories with Bro. Pixton as our stake patriarch and working with him in the Albuquerque, NM temple.
President Pixton helped me and my children at a challenging time. He "wanted to make sure we were ok." It was very kind of him.
We are sorry about your loss. Bob certainly blessed our lives along with many others in the Albuquerque area. You have a great heritage from him. We know the Lord will bless you as you go through this time of sorrow. I surely enjoyed my service with him as a fellow stake president and sealer.
Three brief memories:
(1) I still remember a personal story Brother Pixton shared in a church talk. This was in the 90s, probably in a stake conference. When he was in graduate school, he was struggling to finish his degree, which required observing and explaining a novel research result. With several young children, Sister Pixton also thought he needed to finish, so they could find a job, and move forward. He decided to fast several times and pray for inspiration. One day in the lab, he was working with his laser equipment and noticed an odd flicker of light. He decided he should try and figure out why that had happened. That led to new experiments, which became the core results for his thesis, and enabled him to finish his degree. His story resonated with me (and my wife!) because I had also struggled to finish graduate school, also in physics!
(2) In the early 2000s I was visiting someone in the hospital, when I happened upon Sister Pixton walking in a hallway in her hospital gown. We talked for a minute or two, mostly about the person I was visiting and how they were doing. It wasn't until later, when I learned the seriousness of Sister Pixton's condition, that I realized she had wanted to deflect attention from herself, and focus the conversation on someone else's needs.
(3) Around 2010 I asked Brother Pixton if I could join him on one of his bike rides. Since I'm 20 years younger, I mistakenly thought: this should be an easy ride! Definitely not the case.
So sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is hard but how wonderful to know that he will be with Barbara again. Your family played an important part of the 20 years we lived in Albuquerque, so many good experiences and memories.
Dear Pixton Family members,
I was so sorry to hear of your Dad’s illness and passing. I have so many wonderful memories of being neighbors in Albuquerque. I cherish my friendship with your Mom and Dad and have missed them so very much since we moved away. Julie and I had an enjoyable visit with your Dad last August. I’m so glad we were able to visit with him and catch up and reminisce. Our 12 years as neighbors in Albuquerque are some of the best memories of my life. I’m so glad some of both of our families are living in Utah and have been able to continue their friendships from their growing up years.
I pray for peace and comfort for all the members of your families at this time.
I love you all,
Barbara Green
Candace, I am so sorry for you loss. Your father was a great man who supported the role of women in science starting in his own family. You are a tremendous part of his legacy. My thoughts are with you as you navigate this experience.
