Robert Nilson Pett

The family of Robert Nilson Pett is heartbroken to share the news of his unexpected death at age 70 on October 31, 2023.

Rob was born on Mother’s Day, May 10,1953, to Marjorie Nilson Pett and Stuart Brandon Pett Sr. To his great advantage, he was the youngest of four siblings.

Rob attended William Penn Elementary, Evergreen Jr. High and Olympus High schools and received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Utah in 1980. Upon graduation, Rob joined FFKR Architects where he worked until 1994, at which point he joined MJSA Architects as a shareholder. He became president of MJSA in 2005 and remained so until his retirement in 2018 after 25 years with the firm.

Rob loved his profession and deeply respected his associates and clients. Notable projects where Rob was lead architect were: Governor’s Mansion Restoration, David Keith Mansion Restoration, Utah State Capitol Gold Room Restoration, Safe Haven for Valley Mental Health, Provo City Library, C. Roland Christensen Building at the University of Utah, Carmen B. Pingree School, Utah State Capitol Restoration, and the O.C. Tanner Flagship Store. He was also proud of his work with the Natural History Museum of Utah. He served on numerous boards and received many awards for his work. No project was too big or too small for his exacting work, be it the Delta Center or a friend’s bird house. He was a hardworking, respected architect inside and outside of the community and was at a job site on the day he died. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the contractors who tried to save him and cared for him after he died.

Rob idolized his father and became the de facto family historian, providing us with a remarkable and extensive family history. As much at home in the wild as in a boardroom, Rob loved to fly fish and hunt ducks - a skill learned from his father. He treasured his time at “The Duck Club” (New State) founded by his paternal grandfather and friends. Ducks feared them all.

He and Kathryn (Snedaker) Holmes married in 1997 (later divorced) and together raised Sarah Snedaker and their own two sons Robbie and Michael. Rob was proud of and loved his kids, and they loved him in return, “If you knew my dad you know how silly and witty he was. I am so grateful I got to have him as my dad.”

For more than a decade, Rob struggled with painful health issues but never gave up on his work or on trying to be a good father to his kids. He was a kind, caring, generous, and decent man. Rob was a gentleman.

Rob is survived by his sons Robbie (wife Madison and baby Rowan) and Michael (Celestria); stepdaughter Sarah (Joe); siblings Susan (Mary), Stuart (Virginia), and Rip (Claire); lifelong best friend John Felt and dear friend Robyn Seldin; many adored cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

Rob’s visitation/memorial service will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City on Friday December 1, 2023, with the visitation from 4-5 PM and the memorial service beginning at 5:00 PM. The memorial service will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above, or by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87388024619. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Rob would have suggested donations to his favorite charities: The Natural History Museum of Utah, environmental protection/conservation groups, and local humanitarian efforts.

The family wishes to thank his many neighbors, friends, associates, and relatives for their support during this difficult time, and more importantly for their love of and loyalty to Rob throughout his life.