Robert Wendell Grover

Robert Wendell Grover, age 85, died September 15, 2014 in Provo, Utah.

Bob was born May 16, 1929, in Garland, Box Elder County, Utah, to Albert Wendell Grover and Norma Bernice Strong. In Salt Lake City, he attended Douglas Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High, and graduated from East High School in 1947. He graduated from the University of Utah with bachelors and masters degrees.

In July of 1951, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force. From 1952 to 1955, he worked as a medical laboratory technician with the 494th Medical Flight Unit in London, England. In the evenings and on weekends, Bob served as a district missionary and was assigned by the mission president to conduct sacrament meetings at the branches around the greater metropolitan area of London with the full-time missionaries.

On April 18, 1957, Robert married Kathleen (Kathy) Rose Mason in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had five children and were married for 27 years. Kathy died on July 13, 1984.

Bob married Kathryn Cannon on August 19, 1985; they were married for 28 years. They were divorced March 11, 2014.

Bob worked as a microscopist, first for Van Waters & Rogers and later for Carl Zeiss. Later, he and Kathleen founded Grover Instruments through which Bob continued to sell and service microscopes for the rest of his career.

Bob and Kathy lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in Littleton and Englewood, Colorado. He and his second wife, Kathryn, lived in Englewood, Colorado, and Gilbert, Arizona. He spent the final years of his life in Providence, Utah.

Bob enjoyed anything related to science and often helped his children and grandchildren examine objects and slides under his many microscopes. He loved photography and had a special interest in stereoscopic images. In addition to growing fruit trees, he and Kathy grew beautiful flower and vegetable gardens; friends and neighbors loved their yards!

Bob always had a cheerful disposition and a quick sense of humor and enjoyed catching people off guard with his unpredictable wit. He loved to serve others. On his many long road trips for business, he was always prepared with a towrope, jumper cables, and other tools; he frequently stopped to help those stranded on the side of the highway. Bob enjoyed traveling and learning about new cultures. He loved to sing and helped his children learn to appreciate music. He enjoyed attending their many concerts and recitals.

Bob served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Dance Director in the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA), Primary teacher, bishopric counselor, stake high councilor, ward clerk, and High Priest Group Leader.
Bob was the great-grandson of Thomas Grover, the 1847 Utah pioneer, who was a member of the Brigham Young vanguard company. Bob enjoyed helping his children and grandchildren appreciate their pioneer heritage. In his personal history, Robert described his philosophy of life: “Happiness is a reward for loving others, being tolerant, forgiving, compassionate, and serving them.”
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Wendell and Norma Grover; sister, Merilyn Sanford (1994); wife, Kathy (1984); and daughter, Shari Grover (2000).

Survivors include his sister: Maurine Schouten of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister: Patricia Call of Clayton, California; daughter: Rosanne (John) Ainscough of Centennial, Colorado; son: Steven Mason (Cathryn) Grover of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; daughter: Cynthia (Paul) Troemner of Indianapolis, Indiana; daughter: Wendi Sue (Larry Meerdink) Grover of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren: Thomas Ainscough, Benjamin Ainscough, Geoffrey Grover, Sara Ainscough, Jason Grover, Emma Grover, Brian Grover, Mathew Grover, Quentin Troemner, Mason Troemner, Aidan Troemner, and Clara Meerdink.

Robert Wendell Grover will be buried in the Bluffdale City Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah.

Donations in honor of Robert Wendell Grover may be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.