Robert (Bob) LaMar Tate

1949-2023

Our wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother Robert LaMar Tate (Bob) passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023 after courageously battling cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones during his final days and was blessed with the opportunity to hold hands, smile and express his love before passing. Bob was born on September 26, 1949 in Park City, Utah in the Old Miners Hospital to Gary and Ruth Beagley Tate. He was the youngest of five children. The Tates relocated to Salt Lake City in 1950 as Park City was a silver mining town. So Bob was raised in the “Big City”, which he loved. He played outside from morning until late in the day when mom would holler, “you-who” to beckon him home. He loved baseball, kick the can, riding his bike, fishing with dad at Deer Creek, and going to Liberty Park. He especially loved going to Grandma and Grandpa Beagley’s in Nephi where there so many fun things to do. Bob attended Longfellow Elementary and Bryant Middle School. In 1968 he graduated from East High School where he sang in the choir and played baseball. Four months after leaving East High School, Bob was called to serve in the Australia West mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served honorably. He made friends with many, many Aussies and fellow missionaries. Upon his release, he thought he was going to be drafted into the Vietnam War, instead two days after returning home from Australia he was on the campus of Brigham Young University as a full time student. It was there he met this cute, bubbly girl who eventually become his eternal companion, MaryAnn Baker. Bob and MaryAnn began dating on Halloween night of 1971. The love was instant. Within three weeks they were engaged and then married and sealed for time and all eternity on March 2, 1972 in the Manti, Utah Temple. Shortly after their wedding, Bob and MaryAnn moved to Logan where he became a “true blue Aggie”. Bob graduated from Utah State with a Bachelors of Science degree in Recreation Management and began his 44 year career in Parks, Recreation and Sports. To further his opportunity to advance he went to BYU and received his Masters degree in Parks and Recreation Administration. Despite spending time at BYU, Bob always remained a ‘true blue Aggie’. During his career, Bob served as Parks and Recreation Director for Logan and Cedar City and Sports Director for the Utah Summer Games. After 37 years serving the Utah Summer Games as Sports Director, he was inducted to the ‘Hall of Honor’. He was also a member of the Utah Recreation and Parks Association for over four decades serving 9 years on the board including a term as President. He always said how lucky he was to have a career in something he loved. Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served many callings and leadership positions, including Sunday School President, Young Men’s President, High Priests Group Leader, and High Council. His favorite calling was serving as a Bishop and working with the youth. While in Logan, Bob and MaryAnn started their family and welcomed six children, Jeffrey, Jon, Jana, Jaron, Jesse and Jayne. Bob loved being a husband and father and combined his love for his work with the love for his family; always making sure there was a spot for his kids on the city recreation teams, opportunities to referee and keep score, as well as bringing them along to walk the track during the Utah Summer Games. He enjoyed coaching his boys, going to dance recitals, and watching them all excel in football, basketball, baseball, cross country, swimming, volleyball and drill. Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother, Richard. He was able to walk hand in hand into eternity with his older sister, Diane, who also passed away on April 15, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, MaryAnn and his six children, Jeffrey (Teri) Fleming Island, Florida; Jon, Springville, Utah; Jana (Coby) Cedar City, Utah; Jaron (Kari) St. George, Utah; Jesse (Erin) St. George, Utah; Jayne (Tyler) Herriman, Utah; 17 grandchildren and brothers Warren and Doug. A service to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Saturday, April 22nd. Visitation will be held at the Heritage Park Ward LDS Chapel from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., with the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Heartlight Affordable Funeral Services.

Published in The Spectrum

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/deseretnews/name/robert-tate-obituary?id=51670257