Bob Combes

On May 14, 2023, Bob passed away quietly at home after battling cancer for almost four years in his home surrounded by family. Bob was born on October 3, 1947 to Bob and Beverle Oviatt Combes in Salt Lake City.  

Bob attended Highland Park Elementary, Irving and Evergreen Junior High Schools and graduated from Olympus High School.  When he was in high school, he worked at the Highland Drive and learned to delegate getting his brother Brent and some friends to come clean the drive-in, which was his supposed be his job.   He started working at Mountain Bell in 1967 in the mail room (US West, Qwest) and worked there for 35 years, retiring as Director of Utah outside services in June 2002 after supporting the Olympics.

Bob married Karen Walters on May 3, 1968 and had had 3 children, Rob (Stephanie), Jason (Trisha) and Amy (Spencer), 6 grandchildren Glenda, Logan, Sydney, Andrew, Megan and Michael and one great granddaughter Genevieve.  He loved taking trips with his family including camping in in the tent trailer at Palisade State Park, Alaska, many trips to Disney World, Disneyland, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, and St. George. He was so excited to go on two European river cruises through Germany to Budapest and another through Norway, to Sweden, Germany and Denmark. 

After retiring from the phone company after 35 years he started his dream job at Thanksgiving Point golf course.  He would get up at 4:30 in the morning to get the golf course all set up for the tournament that started at 8am, but he loved it.  Plus, it came with a lot of perks and free stuff; free golf balls, free golf for his family, discounts on shirts and clubs, free swag from golf tournaments, etc.  He even got to drive Jack Nicklaus around the golf course when he participated in the Champions Challenge tournament.  

Bob’s great pleasures included spending time with his family, playing golf and drinking coffee. He also enjoyed sitting on the patio listening to music and reading and after retiring he started to build model planes and model wood boats. He had a beer can collection with probably more than 1,000 cans, most of which he probably dumped down the drain.  He really liked new cars but Karen kept him in check otherwise he’d have a new car about once a year.  He liked keeping his cars washed and having a nice green lawn.  

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years Karen Walters Combes, children Rob, Jason, and Amy and their spouses and children; his mother Beverle, siblings Susan, Brent and Kevin; Karen’s mother Norma and extended Walters family.  Bob is preceded in death by his father, Bob.  

A viewing will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek. A private graveside service will be on Monday, May 22, 2023.