Sherwood Twitchell

On July 3, 2011, Sherwood Exeter Twitchell, 78, returned to his Father in Heaven after years of struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer and diabetes. In a world where many confuse fame with success, he quietly and faithfully served the Lord and his family. His kind words and optimism were his last gifts to us. It was hard to lose him, yet we know we will be with him again, and in better circumstances. He was born on Dec. 28, 1932, in Escalante, Utah, to Milton and Millie Twitchell, mother and baby miraculously surviving the premature birth. When Sherwood was 8, his father was elected to the state legislature and the family moved to Capitol Hill in Salt Lake, and later to the Sugarhouse area. He loved music and was an excellent artist. He attended South High School where he was catcher on the baseball team. He served honorably for 2 years in the U.S. Army in Germany. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Utah. He worked in southern California for General Petroleum, and later returned to Utah, working at Hercules. There he met Patricia Reynolds and later married her in the Salt Lake Temple. He also worked at Fiber Science, and retired from Thiokol-our favorite rocket scientist! They made their home in Bountiful and raised four children in two wonderful neighborhoods, enjoying many close friendships throughout the years. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and their children: Dr. Jeff (Debbie) Twitchell, Kristin (Ted) Jenkins, Brad (Kim) Twitchell, and Tiffany (Dr. Don) Larson. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Harris, sister-in-law, Joani Twitchell; and 15 grandchildren whom he loved immensely. Sherwood enjoyed many hobbies over the years including skiing, raising pedigreed Labrador Retrievers, bird hunting, researching family history, and golfing. He loved family vacations at Bear Lake and throughout the west. He was proud of his native Utah, and the strength of those pioneers who made this rough land their home. He faithfully served in many callings in the LDS church, including bishop’s counselor, elders’ quorum president, high priest group leader, temple worker, and scoutmaster. He was a devoted home teacher. After retiring, he served in the downtown Family History Library, and later completed a full-time mission with his wife, hosting at the Humanitarian Center, also in Salt Lake City. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Blaine, his in-laws, Wylo and Afton Reynolds, sister-in-law, Marilyn W. Twitchell, and brother-in-law, Russell C. Harris. Special thanks for the caring help from Community Nursing Service, and for the loving neighbors, friends and family who reached out to Pat and Sherwood in his difficult months and days. Viewing: Friday, July 8, 2011, 6-8 p.m., Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main, Bountiful. Services: Saturday, July 9, 2011, 11 a.m.; viewing 9:30-10:45 before services; Bountiful 54th Ward Chapel, 540 N. 1200 E., Bountiful. Interment: Bountiful Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LDS Humanitarian Fund.