Robert Lambert Ford

Robert Lambert Ford passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on December 9, 2016.  Robert was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Mother's Day, May 12, 1935 to Merrill Card and Olive Lucille Lambert Ford.  Robert grew up in Salt Lake City and had many fond memories of playing on Denver Street with his cousins and friends.  Robert graduated from South High School in 1953.  After high school he served in the Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Robert graduated from the University of Utah in June of 1959 in Banking and Finance.  On July 2, 1959 Robert married his sweetheart Karen Riley in the Salt Lake LDS temple.  Robert served in the Utah National Guard. His unit was activated due to the Berlin Crisis and Robert and Karen moved to Oklahoma and later Texas.  After serving in the National Guard, Robert and Karen returned to Utah.  They made their home in Bountiful and raised 7 children.  Robert began his career in banking at American Savings & Loan, where he worked for 26 years, working his way up from Teller to Senior Vice President. After American Savings & Loan he worked at Citibank and First Professional Bank as a Loan Underwriter.  He retired from banking in 1994.
Robert loved collecting coins, fishing, Utah football and See's chocolate.  He had a mischievous sense of humor and found it in any situation.  From his silly limericks and jokes, he always brought smiles and laughter to any family dinner, party and gathering.  He was generous to a fault, always giving and helping his family and friends any way he could.  He was kind, and always had an open lap for a grandchild.  Robert's greatest love was his family, and he was happiest in their company, whether a quiet evening at home, a dinner out, or the many family vacations he enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren on.  Though in later years as Parkinson's disease took its toll on his health, he looked for the blessings and the pearls of wisdom he could share with those he cared about, never once complaining, but always positive.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents: wife, Karen; son, Jeffrey Riley Ford and his wife Julie Ford; and great-grandson Owen McLachlan.  Robert is survived by his children, Brad, Mark (Janalee), Scott (Shawna), Jayne (Lyle), Craig (Sarah) and Susan; 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.   
A viewing will be held at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, located at 295 N. Main Street in Bountiful on December 14, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held on December 15, 2016 at 11:00 am with a viewing prior to the services from 10:00 to 10:45 am at the Canyon Park Ward located at 1190 E. Bountiful Hills Dr., Bountiful, Utah. Interment – Bountiful City Cemetery. 
The family wishes to thank Darlene, Tina, Doug, Laura and Jessica for their wonderful care and support.  Not only did they care for him as a patient, they became his friends.