Utahns who knew — and relied upon — R. Thayne Robson were saddened at his passing earlier this week.
After absorbing the shock of his death, their next thought was likely "Now who will we ask to explain these tough economic questions in a manner we can understand?" This was Robson's gift. Countless executives, government leaders, students and journalists benefitted from Robson's ability to make mind-numbing statistical analyses understandable and meaningful. His talents will be sorely missed.
One of Robson's many hats was that of educator. He began his teaching career at the University of Utah in 1961 as a management lecturer and became a full professor in 1975. Robson served as acting director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research for several years before taking charge in July 1972. He had served in that capacity since.
In addition teaching at the U., Robson had taught at Harvard and the University of California-Los Angeles. He authored numerous books and journal articles.
Robson was also a trusted economic adviser to the past four Utah governors, a U.S. president and represented Utah with national credit-rating agencies. He was past president of Salt Lake Rotary Club and an adviser of members of state committees on economic development, taxation, tourism, motor-carrier regulation, human-resource programs and education.
While Robson could crunch numbers with the best of them, what set him apart from many economists was his knack for communication. As Jack Brittain, dean of the David Eccles School of Business, explained, "You can replace the skill set and the analytical abilities and the smarts, but his ability to make you smile while he gives you bad news is pretty unique."
Another of Robson's hallmarks was his honesty. On occasions, his economic analysis was not politically expedient but he was always armed with facts and thorough analysis to support his conclusions. "He was a straight shooter. Even if it were bad news, you'd listen to it," Brittain said.
Considered an expert on business development in Utah, Robson was sought after by members of the international press during the 2002 Winter Games. Robson estimated he conducted more than 40 interviews during the Olympics alone. Robson was also a friend to the Utah media, a trusted source who consistently accommodated journalists' impossible deadlines and helped make complex economic information understandable to the masses.
We join the community in extending our condolences to Robson's wife Jeanne and their eight children on the loss of this distinguished Utah scholar and gentleman.