Robert Sorensen Welch

Our husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, brother, and friend Robert (Bob) Sorensen (Danish E) Welch, passed away reluctantly but peacefully on August 17, 2021, just weeks past his 97^th birthday and the day before his 73^rd wedding anniversary. He was one of the good guys.

Born on July 23, 1924 in Jerome, Idaho, raised in Mendon, Utah, and a 60+-year resident of Bountiful, Utah, he loved the places he lived. Able to remember every address, he convinced you they were each paradise.  He was the son of John and Eulalia Sorensen Welch and the brother of Edith, John, and Julia. His family experienced some great highs and challenging lows, but Bob always found the best in things.

He attended Logan High School and Utah State University where he thrived, most significantly in ROTC and as the editor of Student Life, the weekly college newspaper. His writing and editing skills led him to a career working for the state of Utah in public relations, most of his time at The Department of Employment Security. Because of his father’s health challenges, which led to employment insecurity, Bob loved helping people get and keep good jobs.

He had a second career in the US Army that began as an 18-yr-old private serving in World War II. Here, his academic and personnel skills kept him behind the scenes as a paperwork man in the Philippines and then took him all the way to full colonel. Anyone who needed to run a military organization loved to have Colonel Welch on staff.

He met his wife, Shirley Chandler of North Ogden, at USU, and spent the next 73 years making her care and consideration his number one priority.  They had four children, Robert, Richard, Melinda, and Elizabeth, who, like Bob, have shortened their names. Bob was a compassionate dad who loved cooking meals and planning trips for his family. As in his military career, Bob was his family’s greatest cheerleader and support staff.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he especially liked his time serving as the ward executive secretary. He enjoyed being a seventy and was disappointed when that quorum was eliminated.  His diligence as a home teacher led to many fulfilling relationships.

Bob was the last surviving Welch sibling and Chandler in-law.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children Rob (Luree) Welch, Rich (Kristie) Welch, Mindy Welch, and Liz (Kelly) Sharp, 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Bob.

A celebration of this life well lived will be held at Russon Mortuary in Bountiful on August 28, 2021. Viewing from 8:45a.m.-9:45 a.m., funeral at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in North Ogden.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and will also be posted below.