Robert (Bob) Ivan Phillips

Robert (Bob) passed away peacefully in his home on December 23, 2024. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren during the last few days of his life, enjoying the things he loved most. His grandchildren, the laughter of his children playing games, music, and stories about the family. The last words he spoke were, "I love my family." 

He was born on August 3, 1957, to the parents of Dean Buckner Phillips and Kathryne Mueller Phillips. He was the 8th of 10 children. He was born in Tooele, UT, and raised in Rupert, Idaho. He attended Acequia Elementary and Minico High School until his sophomore year. He finished his junior and senior years at Skyview High School in Hyde Park, UT. Due to a serious sledding accident during his sophomore year, he lost a lot of credits and could not graduate from Skyview, so he attended South Jordan Adult High School and received his GED. 

Most of Bob's childhood years were spent growing up in Rupert, Idaho, where farming was their family's way of life. They raised and harvested potatoes. In 1974, Bob's dad chose to get out of the potato business. He moved his family to Utah, where they built a home in Mendon and started a sod farm. Unfortunately, the ground there was not good for raising sod, so they bought land in east Tremonton and built another home. There they had a very successful sod farm business, which his brother still owns and operates. 

Bob served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Montreal, Quebec Mission from 1977 to 1979. He met Suzanne Conger while she was attending Utah State University. They fell in love and were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS temple on August 7, 1987. They raised their five children: Adam Dean, Aaron Robert, Kathryne Rose, Michael James Arthur, and Mackenzie Ann in Garland and Tremonton, Utah. They now have 10 Grandchildren. 

Bob had many talents. He loved working with leather and wood. After his parents passed away, Bob decided to pursue a cabinet-making career. He worked for several companies, including Gardner and Sons Cabinets, Thompson and Son Cabinets in Deweyville, Utah, and Bear River Cabinetry in Logan, UT. He worked briefly as a forklift operator on the Proctor and Gamble loading dock in Corinne, UT, until 2017, when Bob was disabled. 

Throughout his life, Bob taught his children the value of hard work, critical thinking, and problem-solving. He instilled in them a strong work ethic while also emphasizing the importance of slowing down to enjoy life's precious moments. Bob believed in balancing responsibility with joy, creating memories, and cherishing time together as a family. 

He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even in his last few days of life, he would share his testimony with anyone who came to see him. He had many callings in the church. He was a home teacher, Sunday School, primary, and Elders quorum teacher; he was a young men's quorum advisor and involved in scouting. He also served as Bishopric executive secretary in the Garland 4th ward. 

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Susie); his children, Adam (Rachel) Phillips; Aaron (Kira) Phillips; Kathryne Phillips (Lincoln Shiraki); Michael (Lyn) Phillips; and Mackenzie Phillips. Two brothers, Bill (Dusty) Phillips; Ross (June) Phillips, and six sisters: Gwen (Mel) Roberts, Flora Sayre, Nancy King, Alice (Mel) Olsen, Marce Barrientez, Peggy (Ron) Schwendiman, six granddaughters, three grandsons, and one grandson due any day. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Kathryne, sister Linda Ames, Brother-in-law Bud Holt, Nephew Buddy Holt, and Cousin Dennis Rockwell. Susie's parents, nephew Corey, niece Nicole, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. 

Services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Noon with a viewing held prior from 10:00 am to 11:45 am. All services will be held at the Tremonton West Stake Center, 345 South 1000 West Tremonton, Utah. Interment will be held at the Garland City Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

Special thanks to Rudd Funeral Home and Intermountain Homecare and Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Kidney Fund or a charity of your choice.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.