Robert Scott Child, our loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Bob, as he was affectionately known, was an eternal optimist and a friend to everyone. He was a kind and generous man, sharing both his time and talents freely to help others. He was a dynamic storyteller and had a radiant smile and infectious laugh. He also had a great sense of humor, and would frequently laugh at his own corny jokes.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 19, 1943 to Helen Sarah Miller and Paul Fallentine Child, he was the second of their three sons. Bob and his brothers, Ray and Paul, have a special bond and have stayed very close to one another throughout their lives.
Bob was raised in the Pioneer Stake (Poplar Grove Ward) area of Salt Lake City. He said it was a great place to grow up and loved to share stories of his adventures with his brothers, cousins, and friends, frequently comparing their shenanigans to the “Our Gang” television series. It was during his youth, that he learned how to play tennis and golf.
In 1958, Bob graduated from Jordan Junior High School, which is important to note as he took a beautiful girl by the name of Julie Ellen Pullan to the graduation dance. They both attended West High School, where they would not have a class together until A Capella Choir their Senior year. Their second date was to the High School Graduation dance in 1961. It was a forgone conclusion that Julie would be his date to his college graduation, as they got engaged on New Year’s Eve (12/31/1963), and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 18, 1964. Bob attended the University of Utah, graduating in June of 1966 with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. Bob loved his country and served honorably in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1966 until 1972.
Bob’s accounting degree led to employment as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Andersen in Phoenix, Arizona. Bob and Julie moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1966 with the idea that they would stay for a few years and then return to Salt Lake City. However, the Arizona sunshine and year-round golf was too enticing, and they have lived in Tempe ever since. Bob became the Chief Financial Officer for Staman Thomas, a construction company that at the time built high-end homes and office buildings in Phoenix and Scottsdale. This experience led him and a colleague to form their own construction business, Myers, Child and Company. Bob became a licensed Real Estate Broker and he eventually formed his own company, Bob Child and Associates. He specialized in commercial real estate and land acquisitions. He enjoyed putting together real estate investment partnerships and over the years was part owner in several ventures which included citrus groves and a mini storage facility, but his pride and joy was a 55+ RV Resort in Yuma, Arizona that he helped build with his partners, and he remained active in the management of the resort up until a few days before his passing.
While Bob was successful in his work, his greatest achievement was his family. He was devoted to his wife Julie and was so proud of his children and grandchildren, never missing a teaching moment or an opportunity to let them know how much he loved them. He would often express that the greatest blessing and gift he had received in life was the opportunity to be a father.
He worked hard and played hard. One of his favorite activities included boating with his family, (we believe he still holds the record for the fastest boat launch on Canyon Lake). Other activities included water skiing, snow skiing, camping, fishing, singing, dancing, family barbeques, outdoor movie nights, swimming with his children and grandchildren, and of course golfing!
Over the last 20 years, Bob and Julie have been blessed to travel the world together. The vast majority of these trips they have had Ray and Ann, and Paul and Linda as their travel companions. They also were able to spend a great deal of time each year in Salt Lake City, enjoying the company of family and friends.
Bob was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and loved to serve in every calling he held. He especially enjoyed serving as a Ward Mission Leader and as Bishop of the 19th Ward for Young Single Adults. Serving in the Young Men’s and Scouting programs provided Bob with opportunities to work closely with his sons and strengthen his relationships with them. He was a man of faith and shared his testimony of the gospel daily through his words and actions.
Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his beloved wife, Julie; His daughter, Hollie Baker; His sons, Scott (Maribeth), Rion (Beckie), and Matthew (Kathy); His grandchildren Dylan Baker, Hunter (Mikayla), Hailey, Samantha, Connor, Thomas, Brooklyn, Tyler, Megan, Sarah, Scarlett, Caitlyn, and Evelyn; His brothers Ray Child (Ann) and Paul Child (Linda); and all the many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and business associates that Bob so dearly loved.
A Viewing will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Tempe West Stake building, located at 1050 West Grove Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85283, with a viewing hour prior to the service from 10:00 – 10:45 am.
Services will also be held virtually and can be accessed at *click the link below * https://zoom.us/j/93257102316
Burial to follow at Dignity Mariposa Gardens, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206
We had the summer months, Arizona had the winter months, but part of the year was enough to carry us over the remainder with an ample supply of Bob’s jovial nature and endless good will. Always interested in the Grandeur Peak Ward and the doings of its members who adopted him and Julie, they brightened our meetings and our neighborhood by their seasonal migration northward. They were wise and insightful contributors and fine examples of joyful living, even with the medical precariousness that accompanied Bob. We’ll miss his sharing a good story or a hearty laugh or a tearful testimony but are assured they’ll be continuing in another realm. Our condolences to Julie and the Child family and thanks for periodically pointing him in our direction.
We are so sad to hear of the passing of Bob. He has always been a very special cousin. His laugh and contagious smile have endeared everyone he met to him. He was instrumental in bringing all the cousins together for a cousin’s party a few years ago. We express our condolences to Julie and his family and will greatly miss him. Mark and Carla Greenwood
January 17,2021
What clear and joyful memories we have through many years past. We have known Julie and Bob almost all of our lives and our love for them has grown deeper as the years have passed. Memories of their wedding to the night Bob’s unit was called up to active duty to just a few weeks ago will always be treasured. Julie, you and your dear family are in our hearts and in our prayers. We love you all and will be seeing you soon. Bob was a giant among men!
I will dearly miss mr bob im an 7 year employee of his and very proud and humble to be able to say i knew him and talked to him many times and enjoed every minute of rest in peace my friend from me and my wife you will be missed dearly my condolences to the family
Our condolences to Julie & to family, he will be missed here at Sun Vista. He was always ready to chat, I heard a few stories of his son, who went to Steinbach, Manitoba Canada. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Julie.
Peter & Marla Tomman
Our condolences to you Julie and to your family. Bob will be missed a Sun Vista. It was an honor to have worked with him and the staff for about ten years. Thank you for sharing him with us. Much love and many blessings to you.
Our condolences to you Julie and to your family. Bob will be missed at Sun Vista. It was an honor to have worked with him and the staff for about ten years. Thank you for sharing him with us. Much love and many blessings to you.
Rion(Moose), I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. Please accept my condolences my friend. I hope and pray that you and your family are able to find peace and comfort during this difficult time. God’s Blessings to you all.
I will always be thankful to Bob for his help both personal and business. My parents Sue and Dale Mc Michael were business partners with him in many ventures, and after both of them passing I continued with Bob in the ventures. Many words of advice and wisdom coming from him. He will be deeply missed. With deepest sympathy to his family. Mindy Mc Michael
I first met Bob at Arthur Andersen in 1966 and we became friends at that time and remained so for over 50 years We continued our friendship after both of us left Arthur Andersen and then had the opportunity to live only a few houses apart when we moved into Tempe in the 1990’s and were in the same Ward for years I will miss seeing Bob and visiting with him We had many times that I will remember where we discussed many things from religion to politics and economics . Some of our children grew up with his during the time we lived close by and attended Marcos de Niza High School together I want to extend my sympathy to Julie and all of the children I will miss you Bob Jim Knollmiller
Our condolences Julie to you and your family. Always enjoyed what little time we spent with Bob after High School. You and Bob have to be the most Traveled people I know, never mentioned a place that Bob hadn’t been, very fortunate. May Bob rest in peace and may your blessings be many.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bishop Child’s passing. I first met him when he arrived with the missionaries to teach me about the church. I was 17 and my parents were not happy at all! Bob’s easy going nature and kind smile soon changed their view of the church! He and my dad had a common love for golf! He was the perfect person in that situation! I was so happy to learn he was bishop when I returned home from my mission! I will be forever grateful because my journey to becoming a member was much easier thanks to this sweet man! My love to you all!
I didnt know Bob very well, but I know two of his sons and i can say that Bob was an outstanding father that raised tremendous sons. His influence will be cascaded through generations by the children and grandchildren he brought into this world. as a citizen of this world, i am incredibly greatful for his influence, and rhe positive influence of his family to make this place a brighter and kinder world.
Bob was an incredible, kind, and God fearing man who loved his family very much. I always admired his entrepreneurial spirit that that will certainly leave a legacy for his children and generations to come. I pray the Lord comforts the Child family during this time.
Our hearts are broken. He was bigger than life in so many ways. We miss him, and love you so much Julie. We will forever be here for you. Loved watching him dance with grandchildren.
I was fortunate and blessed to get to know Brother Child, and become friends 14 years ago. To us he is not just a great friend and wise man, he is a living example for all of us. On Dec. 16th 2019, my son David Wu and I received the most precious gift of our life, we were baptized by brother Child and become LDS.
Brother Child will always live with us.
We in the Grandeur Peak Ward were unaware of any place called Tempe (we understand that it’s south of Salt Lake City) but were always happy to welcome Bob and Julie Child back to their second home here in Millcreek, UT every summer and fall. We claimed them as our own but understand they had affections for the Valley of the Sun when our eyelids began to freeze up north. Bob was one of the happiest persons we have ever known and will never forget his never-ending smile and contagious laugh–even when those nagging problems of health were not going his way. Both Bob and Julie brightened our ward with their short yearly visits and wish Julie and their family only happiness and joy in the future.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences are being extended to the entire Child Family. Bob was a great friend.
He will be missed greatly! Take care dear Julie–we have you in our prayers! Love, Jim & Pat Klein
Julie, I just saw this obituary, but had no idea that he had passed. I’m so sorry for your loss! I am so grateful for the opportunity to have had your husband as my bishop back when it was called University II ward. I have wondered about your family many times over the past 26 years. I took a job teaching in Oracle, Arizona, where I met my husband, Jim Taylor. We married in the SL Temple, and this year we will celebrate 25 wonderful years out of the eternity we will have together. May the Lord bless and comfort you in this terrible loss. Much love and thanks to you! Joan Taylor