Robert Clawson

Obituary for
Robert George Clawson

Robert was born on October 21st, 1923 in Preston, Oneida Co. Idaho. He was born to Christian Nicolai and Augusta Elva Clawson. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Southern California, to the town of Pasadena. He attended Jackson Elementary School, Washington Junior High School and Pasadena City College. On his own he studied aircraft construction and landed a job with Consolidated Vultee Aircraft manufacturers, building the Vultee Valiant BT-13 aircraft.

The Second World War broke out after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Robert joined the Army Air Corps. Because he always loved to fly, he volunteered for pilot training in the Aviation Cadet program. From December of 1941 to December of 1946 he was assigned to several different bases. While waiting to go to flight school he attended flight engineering school in Amarillo, Texas. There he trained to be a flight engineer in the Boeing B-29 Superfortress with the 20th Air Force. Robert was honorably discharged on December 10th 1946 at March Field, California.

In January, 1947, he was employed as a principal for the Flintridge China Company. He worked there for 16 years as a designer and a die maker while attending Pasadena City College at night. He met Jeanne Allen of Salt Lake City and Pasadena where they sang in the Pasadena ward choir. They soon fell in love and were sealed in the Salt Lake temple. Robert attended Los Angeles State College where he studied mathematics. He graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and began teaching in the Whittier School District. While teaching, he coached basketball, baseball, swimming and water polo. The school was famous for a stage presentation called “Spotlight Review.” Robert was asked to produce and direct the review in 1963, 1964, and 1965. He considered it a fun thing to do. In 1967, he was assigned to teach photography and publish the school yearbook which he did for three years.

In 1967 Robert was selected by the National Science Foundation to spend four summers at South Dakota University to take a masters degree in mathematics curriculum and teaching. While sleeping in the dorms he received a phone call at 2 A.M. from his Stake President in California. The president called Robert to serve as the bishop of his ward in Rosemead, California. He was shocked, but accepted the call. He served as the Bishop of his ward for four years during which he spent summers in South Dakota to complete his studies. In 1971 he received his master’s degree.

In 1976, Robert’s oldest son Bob, who had previously taken a degree in mathematics at BYU, was graduating from BYU with an MPA degree. When Robert went to see Bob graduate, Robert expressed to Bob that he had always dreamed of teaching at BYU. Bob took him on a tour of the math department and introduced him to the department chair. The department chair asked if he had any math curriculum experience. He responded that he had. BYU offered him a position in the department. This was something for which he had prayed for many years. He taught there for thirteen years and he felt as though he was in the Celestial Kingdom. It was wonderful! He retired in 1991.

After retirement, Robert and Jeanne served a mission at BYU-Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii. Robert taught math and Jeanne became the college secretary. When they were at the airport Randy Day, the dean of the college said “You can go Robert, but I can’t do without Jeanne.” They left anyway and the flight attendant moved them up to first class. It was a wonderful experience for them.

Robert was called to serve on BYU campus in the high council of the sixth stake in 1993. In the third year of that calling he was called to be the bishop of the 140th ward of the BYU sixth stake, where he served for three years. His service did not end here. He was soon called to serve as a counselor in the Young Single Adults ward bishopric in the Provo, Edgemont Stake. After being released from the Young Single Adult ward bishopric, Robert was again called to serve as a counselor, this time in the bishopric of the Pleasant View 4th ward.

He was preceded in death by his son in law, David Margetts. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and the following children: Bob (Rebecca) Clawson of Topeka, Kansas, Christie Margetts of Provo, Utah, Ed (Diane) Clawson of Palmer, Alaska, Virginia (Brent) Bryson of Provo, Utah, Glenn (Toni) Clawson of San Diego, California and Julie (Scott) Everson of Provo, Utah. He and Jeanne have 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by two of his brothers, Alvin Clawson of Laguna Beach, California and Chris of San Clemente, California and La Conner, Washington.

Robert enjoyed music, teaching, flying, golf, fishing, and most of all his family. He was a great husband, father, friend and teacher.

His beloved Jeanne is the family coordinator of activities, cooking, and birthday greetings officer. They had a great marriage and had recently celebrated their 70th anniversary.

Robert George Clawson died peacefully at home at the age of 95 on March 2nd. Interment will be Friday, March 8 at the Heber City Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held March 8, at 3:30 p.m. at 350 E 2950 N in Provo. Friends may visit family on Friday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the same location, prior to the funeral.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to:

The American Diabetes Association
2451 Crystal Dr.
Suite 900
Arlington, VA
22202