Obituary: Robert E. Jones, M.D.

Robert E. Jones, M.D. 1922 ~ 2005 Robert E. Jones, M.D., prominent Salt Lake City physician, died January 21, 2005 of causes related to cancer. He was born October 11, 1922 in Hiawatha, Utah to William Bell and Sylvia Alta Jones. The absence of his dry wit and contagious laughter creates a void no other can fill. Bob graduated from Carbon High School in 1939 and from the University of Utah in 1943. Although offered a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music, Bob instead chose to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jack, and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1946. During medical school, Bob joined the U.S. Army and following graduation served as an army doctor at Valley Forge General Hospital, from 1948 to 1949. He decided against an army career when he discovered argyle socks were not standard issue. Following completion of his internship at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia and a residency at Delaware Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, Bob returned to Salt Lake City in 1952 to begin private practice. He practiced internal medicine more than 42 years and was affiliated with Salt Lake Regional Medical Center (formerly Holy Cross Hospital). Bob enjoyed traveling, tending his beautiful flower gardens, collecting and creating works of art (he especially enjoyed working with stained glass), Jazz basketball, and professional tennis. Above all, however, he enjoyed practicing medicine. Helping the sick was never considered work - it was his privilege. Bob was the embodiment of a dedicated, selfless, caring generation of physicians. The lives he saved are many; the lives he touched immeasurable. Bob is survived by his sister-in-law, Sarah Anne Jones; nieces, Linda Oswald (Fred), Cynthia Jones, M.D. (Steve Prather, M.D.); nephew, David Jones; his devoted friend and long-time assistant, Sandra McDonald; and loving friend and companion, Dorothy Woolf. Preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Frank Jones, who died in infancy, and William Jack Jones, M.D. Sincere gratitude is offered to Bob's wonderful neighbors and friends, to the hospice nurses and to Margaret Hecht, M.D., for their generous gifts of love, care and support. Bob will be deeply missed by family, colleagues, friends, and former patients. All who loved him are invited to a celebration of this remarkable man's life, followed by a luncheon Sunday, January 30, 2005, 12 noon at the Salt Lake Country Club, 2400 East Country Club Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice.