Robert Allan Adams

Colonel Robert Allan Adams (Army/Retired) died January 7, 2019.

Robert (Bob) is survived by wife, JoAnn Spencer Adams, three children, Spencer and Barbie Adams, Katie and David Lewis, Matthew and Amber Adams. Grandchildren; Grayce, Sophia, Truman, Lincoln, Harper, Jack, George, and Lilly. He was predeceased by daughter Amy Adams (Oct 78).  

Born July 30,1946 to Allan and Helen Adams in Ogden, UT. Bob grew up spending time between Bear Lake (South Eden), Randolph, and Logan where he worked the family ranches the JF and later the Gallentine. Bob was a steward and a care taker of the land. He had an appreciation and love for the western range and open space that was his cornerstone. He was an accomplished and passionate skier working with Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol during his college years.

Bob attended Utah State University from 1964 to 1968, where he met the love of his life, JoAnn Spencer. They married on August 26, 1966. The Adams and Spencer families ran respective cattle ranches and were active in the Utah Cattleman’s Association. The marriage was a natural fit.

Bob received a bachelor’s degree in History and Business Law and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through ROTC with the U.S. Army on September 4tth, 1968. He was stationed at Fort Knox for Armor School prior to being assigned Fixed Wing and Flight Maintenance Officer courses for the U-21 AQC School in Fort Rucker and Fort Stewart. He was assigned to Vietnam in June 1970, and by June 1971 Colonel Adams had flown 766 combat hours and more than 325 combat Missions. He was a member of the Army Security Agency and assigned to the 224th Aviation Battalion flying with the 146th and 138th at Hue Phu Bai and Long Thanh North (ICOR I & III) in a JU21A. He served with distinction and honor and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal (14), Bronze Star, Army Aviation Badge, and Expert Rifle Badge.

Once discharged he began flying the 737 for Western Airlines in November of 1972. Flying assignments included First Officer, Captain, Senior Flight Instructor, Line Check Airmen w/FAA designee. He was involved with ALPA in collective bargaining and merger negotiations with Delta. He retired with more than 30 years of service on June 2003. He spent most of his tenure in the 737, with brief stints in the L10-11 and 727. He loved flying and co-owned a Cessna 180 out of SkyPark Airport. His 180 mountain sorties in 93Tango took him to the Middle Fork of the Salmon camping and panning for gold on Loon Creek or flying to Randolph or Yost to assess cows on the summer range or spotting elk and deer in the fall. He loved the lifelong friendships that flying afforded him with his Western, Delta, and Military colleagues.  

Bob continued to serve his country after Vietnam through the Utah National Guard and Army Reserve he had various duty assignments through the years which concluded as Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel with the 96th ARCOM. He served honorably until his retirement on July 13th, 2006. Colonel Adams received the following decorations, service medals, badges: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Three OLC’s., Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Senior Army Aviator Badge.

Bob was an active alum with Utah State University as the family representative for the Allan N. and Helen Adams Scholarship for College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, as well as recently being the CAAS Alumni Council President.

Bob was a rancher, farmer, horsemen, cattlemen, soldier, pilot, commander, friend, officer, cowboy, counselor, sportsman, hunter, husband, uncle, brother, father, patriot, gentleman, patriarch, philanthropist, volunteer, and grandpa, He was immensely loved. He was a friend to all, a caretaker, a stalwart chivalric gentleman, who loved his wife and family dearly. He will be dearly missed.  We love you dad and take pride in your legacy, service, character, and courage.  

An open house will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 N Main St. Farmington, UT 84025 on Sunday January 13th from 4 to 6 pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Fruit Heights Stake Center on 170 N Mountain Road Fruit Heights UT 84037 on Monday, January 14th, visitation held from 9:45 to 10:45 am, and funeral services starting promptly at 11am. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Army National Guard and American Legion Post 27.

In lieu of flowers, please thank a veteran and make appropriate donations in Bob’s honor to organizations supporting PTSD and Suicide Prevention among veterans.