Robert Walker Bengtzen 1923 ~ 2011 Robert Walker Bengtzen, 88 years old, passed away on June 29, 2011, in Possum Trot (yes, Possum Trot), Kentucky. He was born June 4, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Wilford Einar and Gladys Walker Bengtzen. He graduated from South High School and LDS Business College. He was an Accountant and worked for several companies. He married Betty Jo Kartchner on November 19, 1942, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the parents of three boys and one girl: Robert Kay, Gary Lynn, Timothy Einar and Suzanne. Robert was a quiet man. He loved his family. He loved his church. He was a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as an Elder Quorum President, Bishopric Counselor, High Priest Group Leader and Home Teacher. He had a great concern for others. He helped other missionaries besides his own sons serve their missions. He loved to water ski and did it well. He water skied the last time when he was 79 years old. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Kartchner of 68 years, son, Timothy (Barbara) Bengtzen, daughter, Suzanne Turner, daughters in-law Raynee Bengtzen and Myke Branch, 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grand children. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill, sister Lois, son Robert Kay and son Gary Lynn. Services will be held Tuesday July 5, 2011, at the Imperial First Ward, 1560 East 2700 South, SLC, at 12:00 Noon. Viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Buried in Wasatch Lawn Cemetery My sweet grandpa passed away this past week and I can't help but to be so thankful that my grandparents have been alive and such a big part of my life. I am so thankful that my children have been able to know these incredible people. For most of my childhood my grandma and grandpa Bengtzen lived in California, and once or twice a year my family would load into our custom van and drive to visit them. We usually would go to the Pier where there was a store for left handers, and Cory, my grandpa and I would always find something that we couldn't live without! I looked forward to our California trips and the time I was able to spend with my grandparents. In my later teenage years my grandparents moved back to Utah and just down the street from us, and although my grandpa was a man of few words, I always knew how much he loved Rick and me and our children. I remember my grandpa teaching Brittani how to say the ABC's backwards, and making rubber band balls with the kids. I remember him pushing them on the swing in his back yard. I remember his constant teasing of my children as his way of showing his love for them. I'll always remember his perfectly slicked back hair, perfectly ironed shirts and the smell of his cologne.
A few years ago I was making my brothers a memory book for Christmas and I had asked my grandparents some questions for the book. I will never forget two of the answers that my grandpa Bob gave me. I asked him what he first remembered about my grandma, and he said "her nice legs!". I also asked him if there was anything he would like to tell my brothers that they may not know about him and his answer was that sometimes he worries that we don't know how much he loves us because he doesn't say it. I have thought about this many times, and although he didn't tell us that he loved us, he showed us.
My grandpa Bob was an amazing man. He was kind, he adored my grandma, and he was an awesome example to me and my children. He lived a good life and I know he is in heaven with my sweet dad, and I know I will see them both again someday.
Grandpa Bob, thank you for being an awesome man! I love you.
