Robert C. Ashdown

Robert C. Ashdown, born September 29, 1925 to Wallace and Norma Ashdown, passed away at age 97 on June 21, 2023, in the Bountiful home that he built and lived in for the past 70 years. He is preceded in death by his wife, Greta Aa Ashdown (1990), and survived by his five children, Dwight Alan Ashdown, Jan Michael Ashdown, Sue Ashdown, Peter Lynn Ashdown, Jane Ashdown Cipra, his current wife Ritta Beth Ashdown and the Arbuckle family.

Bob went through the Great Depression at age 4, passing through the transition from horse drawn vehicles to automobiles. His childhood home was a red brick pioneer home devoid of electric lights and indoor plumbing.

Robert was one of the few remaining veterans from WW2, having served in the Navy. After basic training he was trained in Electrician and Gyro Compass school before boarding the supply ship “Beaverhead,” bound for the Philippines.

Following the war, he was called and served as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the Southwest States mission from 1949 to 1951. After his mission his attention turned to establishing a profession. Brick laying was first pursued, but with inclement weather preventing employment during the winter, he started at a machine shop. Meanwhile, a chance encounter with a young immigrant from Denmark led to a year’s courtship and marriage to Greta Aa in 1952. Bob and Greta soon moved to Bountiful to begin building their home and raising their family.

Amid employment as a tool and die maker he pursued higher education, obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. This led to employment as a teacher, at Meadowbrook Elementary School in Bountiful, and subsequently a long period of employment at Utah Technical College, teaching tool and die making.

Bob’s devotion and dedication to Greta and family were unwavering and abiding. Robert’s love of education led to higher education for each of his five children. Throughout his life he remained steadfast and faithful in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, quietly serving others without regard for himself. The impact he had on those around him was profound and always for good.

The memorial service for Robert Ashdown will be held at the LDS Chapel at 2505 S Davis Blvd, Bountiful, Utah 84010 on August 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Dementia Society of America, or the Salt Lake Community College Scholarship Fund.

https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate
https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate
https://www.slcc.edu/donate/support-existing-scholarships.aspx