Robert Thatcher

Robert Thatcher passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023. He is preceded in death by his wife Lillian, daughter Diana, foster daughter Amelia, parents Orson Reeder and Emelie Fuhrimam, older sister Sharon, twin brother Sid, sister-in-law Janice, and brother-in-law Clifford Hyer. Robert is survived by his children, Mike (Heather) Thatcher, Tammy (Brad) Croft, Lisa (David) Huish, Rob (Mindy) Thatcher, and Heather Thatcher.

Robert is also survived by grandchildren Tiffany, Adam, Lance, Mandy, Annie, Josh, McKenna, Mariah, Reagan, Emeri, Josie, Sybil, and Scarlett, and great grandchildren Ander, Lindy, Emery, Finnick and Wesley.   Living siblings include Howard, Steve (Mira), Aurelia Hyer, and sister-in law Linda Thatcher.

Robert was born to Orson Reeder and Emelie F. Thatcher in Logan, Utah on May 4, 1940. Being a twin, he had a friend in tow wherever he went. Bob was raised on a farm in Cache Valley in the community of Young Ward. As a child, Bob spent many days working on the farm hoeing sugar beets. He graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah and served an LDS mission in Scotland.  Robert earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University, where he also served as a student senator.

While attending USU, Bob met his wife, Lillian Shaw, and they were married In the Logan LDS Temple on August 17, 1966. Upon graduation, Bob began working for Clark Equipment in Michigan.  After working there for several years, Bob got the bug to try his hand as an entrepreneur and Bob and Lillian built a thriving Amway business for several years. Michael, was born in May of 1967 followed by Tammy two years later. With their two children, Bob and Lillian returned to Utah and settled in Smithfield.

Bob began working as a general contractor in a company named  Beehive Homes with his brothers. Construction became his career path and joy. He loved the building industry and the chance to work side by side with family.
During this time, Bob worked on many exciting builds that became fond memories over the years. With the family company, he was involved with building beautiful churches and stake centers in Utah and Idaho, and a museum at Utah State University. Robert’s favorite projects however, were found in Yellowstone National Park and included remodeling the famous Canyon Lodge, Old Faithful Inn and many other historic sites inside the Park. The work was hard, and they had to do the construction during the off-season when snowmobiles were usually the only transportation into the park. Despite the challenges, Bob loved the adventure. Later we would see the happiness and pride in his eyes when visiting these places on family vacations.

Four more children were born to Bob and Lillian, including Lisa, Rob, Diana (who passed at birth), and Heather. An Indian placement student named Amelia also joined their family in the early 80's. Bob was always proud of his 7 children, 13 grandchildren and now 5 great-grandchildren + many grand ferrets, grand dogs and grand cats. Bob and Lillian enjoyed their own dogs as well and usually had at least one in the Thatcher home.

In his later years, Bob and Mike worked together doing the earthwork on many subdivisions in Park City. During this stage of life, Bob, who has always loved birds, developed an interest in flying himself. He earned his pilot’s license and bought a small single-engine airplane.  He enjoyed several memorable trips to Mexico and Northern Idaho with friends. He also talked Lillian (who didn’t love to fly-but would go sometimes) into visiting her sister and brother-in-law, Audrey and Reese Thomas’ home in Monticello.

Bob would tell you that his favorite thing to do was work. If he was working he was having fun.  He wanted to work forever and developed a successful office warehouse complex in Salt Lake City where he rented buildings to businesses. He retired from this business in 2020 at 80 years old.

His last few years, he has been loved and embraced by his family- especially his daughter Lisa and son-in-law Dave, who have lovingly cared for him during some turns in his health and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. In so many ways Lisa and Dave have tirelessly stayed by his side. He also has many friends in the Abbington Assisted Living Community that have shown so much love and support for him as he has resided there.

We will miss you dad. We love you!

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at White Pine Funeral Service, 753 S 100 E, Logan, Utah.  A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at the funeral home.  The interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery.

Bob's funeral service can be viewed via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87606145804