Robert Matheson

Robert C. Matheson
Endings Matter
 
Robert Cooper Matheson (better known as Bob, Grandpa Bob or Bishop Bob) passed away on February 23, 2017, at home – appropriately, because to Bob, endings matter. He was determined to finish his life in the home he loved, surrounded by the people he loved.
 
Bob was forever teaching timeless truths and powerful principles – occasionally he would even use words – but he taught most and best through his acts of unconditional love.
 
He showed that you get the best out of people by seeing the best in people. He demonstrated that leadership begins and ends with selfless service. He was a living illustration of the divine directives to never judge or hold a grudge, and to forever forgive and patiently wait for the wandering soul to return – because endings matter.
 
Bob’s beginning in the “Old Strafford Ward” was highlighted by time with family. From that neighborhood emerged a “study group” of friends who rarely studied but have been there for each other to the very end. He started college at Stanford but ended that part of his schooling to start something more important. He married his sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. “Bob & Carol” became a singular term – they were one – particularly in their service to family and others.
 
Graduating from the University of Utah in 1965 with a J.D., Bob began the practice of law with an emphasis on estate planning. His real passion, however, was helping people. When it came to billable hours he always rounded down. Bob became the definition of pro bono, providing more free legal advice and service than any lawyer in the land. He was the charter president of the Bonneville Exchange Club and acted as president of the Estate Planning Council.
 
Bob & Carol put family first in order to create a family that would last. Annual family trips to Sun Valley, Jackson Hole or Laguna Beach were journeys never to be forgotten from beginning to end. Watching sporting events until they were over, regardless of the score, or staying up late for one more rerun of “M.A.S.H.” were mostly just the background noise while important interaction took place. Because endings matter.
 
For Bob, church service was about ministering to people, not administering programs. He served as stake executive secretary for nine years, was on several high councils, and taught in various capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His calling as bishop to the then newly formed Cottonwood 14th Ward began a season of service never to be forgotten by “Bishop Bob,” nor by the members who loved him and were forever blessed by him.
 
Raising 11 children was a daily experience of organized bedlam careening toward complete chaos. This was compounded by the fact that Bob & Carol created a home where everyone wanted to be – it became the go-to gathering spot for parties, neighborhood get-togethers, dinners and church events.
 
At the end of a family gathering, neighborhood party or visit with friends, it was never adequate for Bob to just say goodbye from the living room. A hug or handshake in the kitchen on the way out? Not enough. “See you soon” from the front door? Completely insufficient. Bob would always walk you out – snow, rain or sunshine – all the way until the car door was closed. Then he waited, to wave one last time as the car drove away – because endings matter.
 
Bob always made sure that the ending of a visit was just as high-impact as the beginning. For the grandchildren that meant a stop by Bob & Carol’s famous “candy closet” for one last treat. For friends, he always asked if they wanted some of the leftover food or dessert for later. For social guests there, he always offered a word of thanks for something they said or did and a sincere invitation to return soon. For the children and grandchildren, he would take them by the arm, tell them how proud he was of them, how much he loved them, then send them away with an expression of confidence in their ability to endure, overcome or get important things done. Because endings matter.
 
Bob loved the piano and spent countless hours practicing pieces including “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Clair de lune.” His children often fell asleep listening to him practice. Bob trusted the process of practicing and paid particular attention to finishing each note and each measure with precision and emotion. He always commented on the “touch” of pianists and how they finished their notes. Because even in music – endings matter.
 
After a night in the intensive care unit it seemed that Bob would depart. But all were amazed to watch and witness his singular focus and commitment to first get back to his home, so he could have time for meaningful conversations with those he loved. Bob Matheson taught one last time that while beginnings are important, it is the ending that matters most.
 
Robert Cooper Matheson was born on December 26, 1934, to Kenneth and Virginia Matheson in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Carol Jean Pugh in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Vickie Matheson. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and children Chris, Sherrie Ball (R.T.), Lori, Jana Miller Wilhelm (John), Debbie Hilton (Matt), Bruce, Boyd (Debbie), Amy Curnow (Stan), Brad (Tiffanie), Ben (Emily). His posterity includes 52 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
 
A viewing will be held Monday, February 27, from 6 to 8 pm at Mountain View Memorial Mortuary, 3115 East Bengal Blvd. (7800S.) Cottonwood Heights, UT. Funeral services will be held at the Sandy Willow Creek 6th Ward, 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy, Utah at 11 am, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery.
Service Information
Viewing February 27, 2017 at 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 East Bengal Boulevard, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 84121





Viewing February 28, 2017 at 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Willow Creek 6th Ward, 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy, Utah, 84093





Funeral Service
February 28, 2017 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Willow Creek 6th Ward, 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy, Utah, 84093