My Dad's Eulogy

It was a monumental year in history for our Country; February 27, 1945. Robert Banks Lindsay was born to Ezra Reed and Marva Banks Lindsay in Salt lake City, Utah. Next to all the illustrious events of that year the birth of one small child, it would seem, would be very insignificant. His world would consist of education, travel, education, family, and education. One can see a reoccurring pattern here. To prove a point, his first TV program was “The State of the Union Address” given by Harry S. Truman. As the years continued he found he could take on anything his mom insisted he learn: Dance classes Playing the clarinet Foreign language Studies Scouts (getting his eagle at 11) Football (not mom’s choice) ROTC (not her choice either) Finally, after years of making sure he accomplished what was asked of him, he graduated from East High School. Now, the hard choices were to be made…where to go from here. His first option was taking the appointment he received to West Point or serving an LDS mission. Ok I need to back track that would come after studies at Kings College in England, the University of Innsbruck in Austria, and University of Mexico in Mexico City. There was really no choice to be made, a LDS mission was his next adventure of his life. Robert received his call and away he went to serve the Lord in Southern Germany. He had the pleasure of being the cook and chauffeur for President Ezra Taft Benson whenever he came to Germany. When it was time to return home, yet another event changed his life and he would be asked to stay and help open the Italian Mission. After 3 years of serving, he returned home with well deserved pride. Again, decisions were going to have to be made; where to attend college?! Now, if you know Robert at all I could stop the story here. Obviously, He chose The University of Utah. GO UTES! Robert began his college experience studying Business Administration while also playing football and marching in the school’s band. However, he was about to be detoured by another set of events. He met a young woman, Mary Wegloski. After finishing their first date, Robert knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with her, telling his mother he knew she was “the one”. Little did Mary know, she was hooked for life. They were married August 18, 1969 and later solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake City Temple. From there, it was a routine of school and work. That is, until Mary made the unexpected announcement they were going to be having their first child, Adam Banks Lindsay. Although unplanned, they knew they could make it work. Robert was then left with more choices, following hard decisions. He decided to leave school and become self-employed. He started up his own business being a contractor and realtor. This career path continued through three more children, Callin Reed, Amanda Marie, and Melissa Michelle. Within a short time, the couple of two was transformed into a family of six. These four children then, unknowingly, prompted his next career choice. As his children grew older, he began coaching them in all their desired activities, football, basketball, and baseball. From there, he spent countless hours coaching, not only his children, but hundreds of others. He also stood by Mary’s side as she pursued her dream of running her own dance studio. Hand in hand, they traveled throughout the Pacific Coast with her company. Backtracking a little, Robert’s mother was a school teacher. She wanted nothing more than for Robert to follow in her footsteps and begin teaching himself. Robert was not so enthused by the idea. However, after being given an opportunity to teach his son at the private school, he decided to retire from building, and give it a try. With teaching, he continued to coach where he took the baseball team to state, taking second. After a few years of both, he had found his passion. He then made another life-changing decision, and went back to school where he received his degree in Secondary Education. With that, he started his public teaching career at Wasatch Jr. High, where he spent the next 20 years of his life teaching and coaching. There, he taught Math and U.S. History while also starting the school’s first wrestling team, coached track, cross country, basketball, and even the academic team. His awards and acknowledgements are far too numerous to list. Robert not only lived to coach, he also had a passion for educating the young adults around him, instilling knowledge, core values, and love for learning. His success is well succeeded. Robert, or Mr. L as he was fondly known, was loved and respected by both colleagues and students. Aside from his professional life, Robert’s personal life persisted of raising his four children. Like his students, he raised his children to become productive, honest, adults. One of his most recent joys in life was spending time and being involved with his 13 grandchildren who looked up to and loved him unconditionally. This August, Mary and Robert would have celebrated their 42nd Anniversary where, without a doubt, there would have been many more to follow. Robert lived a life of integrity, honesty, incredible work ethic, unconditional love, and humility. He will be missed by everyone he knew, for he touched every heart in which he met. He will be mostly missed by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Robert, you are a special person who leaves behind an amazing legacy, and who, as one small child, had no idea the impact you would have on so many lives. You will be in our thoughts and hearts, forever and always.