Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on January 14, 2021 at the age of 82. He was born on May 31, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Orson Reid Bigelow and Hazel Winona Peterson Bigelow. He attended East High School followed by a brief stint in the military. Bob graduated from the University of Utah, where he enjoyed playing in the marching band. It is also where he met his eternal companion and wife of 61 years, Orpha Anderson Bigelow. Together they had nine children. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His career as a Nuclear Medicine technician included 30 years at the Salt Lake VA Hospital. Bob also worked for other labs, including the University of Utah and two years spent in Oregon where he established a Nuclear Medicine program in a local hospital. He was also honored to be selected to inspect and certify labs nationwide. Bob was a skilled handyman and could fix almost anything. He was a great auto mechanic and was always repairing cars for family and friends. Bob was an avid reader and genealogist. He loved music and game shows and had a great sense of humor. One thing he really enjoyed was going to McDonald’s for a breakfast outing. Their Sausage McMuffin sales will really take a hit. Toward the end of his life, Bob endured well his many health challenges.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Brooke, Alex Trebek and Diet Sierra Mist. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Robert Bruce (Vonda) Bigelow, Kellee (Glade) Knight, Wendi (Eddy) Silvano, Barbara (Roy) Bartee, Shannon (Christian) Hanks, Steven (Jan) Bigelow, Amber June Bigelow, Ken (Kathryn) Bigelow and Brett Bigelow. He had 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. His family was his life and he will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive. There will be a visitation for family and friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the same location. Services will be available to view on www.facebook.com/wasatchlawnmemorial.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wasatchlawn.com for the Bigelow family.
