Robert L. Stoddard, age 68 of Ephraim, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, returned to his Father In Heaven on May 5, 1994, in Provo, utah, after a long illness.
He was born October 20, 1925, to Ira and Opal Coumerilh Stoddard, in Bancroft, Idaho. He married Dorothy Jensen on June 9, 1948 in Ephraim, Utah. The marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.Bob grew up and attended schools in Chesterfield and Bancroft, Idaho. He graduated from North Gem High School. He joined the Navy in 1943, serving honorably in the South Pacific for three years. Bob attended Ricks College and excelled in athletics and in 1983 was inducted into the Ricks College Athletic Hall of Frame. He transferred to Utah State University and graduated in 1952 with a major in vocational agriculture. He was offered a contract to play football with the Chicago Bears. He received his M.S. Degree in 1962 from Utah State University.
His first teaching experience was at Gunnison High School. In July 1954, Bob began a 38 year tenure at Snow College, serving first as head football coach, track and wrestling coach, and agriculture teacher. He held a variety of administrative positions including Athletic Director, Dean of Instruction, Interim President twice, and Vice President of Development. He was the key figure in creating the Snow College Development Office and the Snow College Foundation. The institution benefited from the private and federal dollars raised. he also initiated the Badger Booster Club. He received an Honorary Degree from Snow College.
He joined the National Council for Resource Development in 1974 and has served as president twice. He is recognized by his colleagues as a national leader and received the Distinguished Service Lifetime Membership Award
in 1982.
Bob was a willing worker in the community, helping to restore the Ephraim Co-Op and Granary. Over the years, he has served in the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Mormon Miracle Pageant. He received the Service above Self Award from the Rotary Club. He was a member of the Committee who worked diligently to have the Central Utah Correctional Facility located in Gunnison. He raised funds to start the football program at Manti High School.
Bob was an active member of the LDS church. He served in two bishoprics, and was a Snow College branch president. He served in the High Council, high priest group leader, and as a Primary teacher. His greatest joy was serving as an ordinance worker in th Manti LDS Temple.
Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy of Ephraim; and three daughters; and one son: Kristine Tatton (James) of Nephi; Katherine Nelson (Peter) of Salt Lake City; Mark Robert (LeAnn) of Nephi; Julie Warren (Jeff) of Springville; 17 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; four sisters, and one brother: Barbara Rose of LeMesa, California; Donna Wartena of Portland, Oregon; Jack Stoddard of Shelley, Idaho; Betty Jennings of Price, Utah; Fern Woodbury of Dallas, Texas.
Funeral will be Wednesday, May 11, 1994 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ephraim Stake Center, 400 East Center Street. Friends may call at the stake center on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. or Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Ephraim City Cemetery under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Snow College Development Office in his name.
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