Robert M. Payne, Md

Dr. Robert Marr Payne, 86, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones.
Bob was born February 18th, 1933 to Afton Marr Payne (1905-1969) and Velma Jeffs (1907-1981). They had three children: Douglas Afton (Dawna Wiscombe), (Delia Stoof) (1930-1979), Robert Marr (Gwendolyn Rasmussen, deceased), (Shari Fox) (1933-2019) and Linda (Dan Johnson) (1946). He has 5 children: Becky (Carl) English (1957), Christine (Kim) Dalby (1960), Clifford James (Gayla) (1961), Maria (Troy) Sheehan (1967), Jennifer (John) Schefer (1975) and 3 stepchildren: Chad (Kimberly, deceased), (Gina) Stilson (1969), Amy (Michael) Stauffer (1970), Brandon Ballard (1975). Bob is also survived by 37 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is loved and admired by his wife, Shari, who enjoyed 19 years of marriage with him. His children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren also love and admire him, and he will be missed by so many friends as well. Bob truly left a legacy behind.
Bob was a hard worker from the time he was a young boy. Some of his many jobs included: selling vegetables to the neighbors, moving guy, paperboy, working for Spudnuts, being a surveyor, and as a chemist at Geneva Steel.  He was also an X-ray lab technician at BYU, Policeman on the Capitol Hill Police Force in Washington DC, and of course a medical doctor and surgeon. He was always working hard to provide for those he loved as a devoted husband and father. Bob wasn’t without a job from age 8 to 84.
A gourmet cook, Bob delighted his family with delicious food and was a lover of tasty snacks. His favorite treats were: Snickerdoodles, pumpkin and pecan pie, Doritos and Poppables chips, raw cashews, Swedish Fish, taffy, caramels, and gumdrops. Like an all-American kid, he loved plain vanilla ice cream. Bob loved fine dining, attending the Symphony, playing games and cards with friends and family, laughing until his sides ached, playing with his pets. He was very loved by many dogs during his life.
His favorite games were “Hearts” and “Diminishing.” Bob loved to play “Hearts” with his kids too. An avid and competitive gambler for years, Bob always had a lucky streak and usually won cash.
When President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled the brethren of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to abandon gambling, Bob quit that very afternoon and never looked back on the game he had loved for years.
From the time Bob was given a birthday horse from his Dad as a kid, he loved horses. He loved to ride and take care of horses. Bob also loved to go fishing, play tennis, skate, and play golf. He taught each of his children to ski, and they would spend every year at Sun Valley, Idaho skiing, golfing and playing at their condo. He and Gwen lived in Washington D.C. while in medical school and enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Israel. In his later life, Bob enjoyed traveling with his wife Shari to San Diego, Hawaii, and on cruises. His final wish was to go back to the Holy Land with Shari. Maybe in the next life!
Bob had a great sense of humor that helped him with the many trials he faced in life. Everyone loved to be around Bob and his big contagious grin. He suffered several serious health problems, from heart attacks to a pulmonary embolism, but took them in stride with his customary can-do attitude and wealth of medical advice. He was always a doctor at heart, from attending to a heart attack victim on an airplane while traveling, to being by his first wife Gwen’s side when she passed away unexpectedly. He was a wonderful nurse to Shari, his second wife, during her surgery and cancer recoveries and patiently endured pain for several months at the end of his life.
Bob attended Brigham Young University and George Washington Medical School. He served his residency at LDS Hospital and had the privilege of working with President Russell M. Nelson, current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in surgery for six months. Bob worked for 56 years as a Family Practice and Addiction Medicine Physician. He also was a General Surgeon. Bob delivered hundreds of babies, many who grew up and became his patients! He served the communities of Murray and Holladay, Utah. He retired in 2016, surrounded by hundreds of grateful patients and employees who he had blessed.
Bob served faithfully in his local ward as a Home Teacher, Sunday School teacher, High counselor, Bishop, and many other assignments. He also assisted with checking physicals for prospective and current missionaries for the General Missionary Department of the church. Bob had a love of family history and spent his last years working on Family Search. He was always proud of his ancestors—including President Spencer W. Kimball, Howard W. Hunter, and of course his pioneer ancestors too.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing and celebration of Bob’s life on Friday, July 19th, 6-8 pm at the Midvale East 5th Ward LDS Chapel, 7570 South 240 East, Midvale, Utah. Saturday, July 20th, the viewing will be at 10-10:45 am, followed by a funeral at 11 am at the same location.
Many thanks to friends and family for their support. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s wish was that funds be donated to the missionary department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here: https://tinyurl.com/y66phufm
Funeral Services under the direction of Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary.
Service Information
Viewing July 19, 2019 at 6:00-8:00 PM
7570 South 240 East, Midvale, Utah Midvale 5th Ward





Viewing July 20, 2019 at 10:00-10:45 AM
7570 South 240 East, Midvale, Utah Midvale 5th Ward





Funeral Service
July 20, 2019 at 11:00 AM
7570 South 240 East, Midvale, Utah Midvale 5th Ward