Robert was born August 3,1951 in Durango Colorado. He was the first of nine children born to Nolan and Virginia Cluff and was raised in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Robert spent his summers as a youth working on farms and dairies and had a strong work ethic. Always at the top of his class, Robert graduated as valedictorian and earned the title of “MR. BHS” of Bloomfield High School in 1969. He participated in many extracurricular activities including playing on multiple high school sports teams and singing in the choir.
After being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend, Robert fell in love with and married Barbara Clawson on August 23,1973 in the Salt Lake Temple. They remained blissfully in love for 49 years. Robert and Barbara raised six wonderful children and their home was a place of love, laughter (and a little chaos) that became a refuge for not only their children but many others in their neighborhood.
Robert loved the Savior and served in many capacities during his lifetime. At 19 he was called to serve in the Japan Mission. He immersed himself in the culture and language of the people – later majoring in Japanese, which language he used throughout his professional career. He also served as an Elders Quorum President, Counselor in the Bishopric, Bishop, and multiple times as a High Counselor. He indexed tens of thousands of names and was actively involved in family history. He was always right by Barbara’s side supporting her in her many church callings as well. Robert and Barbara served a senior mission as the office couple of the Texas Houston East Mission.
After graduating from BYU, Robert worked for two years as a translator for the government in Maryland. He then went back to school obtaining a Master’s degree in International Marketing which prepared him for his career in exports. Robert moved back to Utah in 1979 and worked the majority of his career as an export manager for Norbest. His work often took him back to Asia, traveling to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China until his retirement in 2019.
Robert had a keen sense of humor and loved teasing and giving nicknames. Those who knew him wore their nicknames as a badge of honor, as he gave them often to those he loved. His hobbies included reading, yard work, and gardening. He prided himself on having the greenest, weed-free lawn and the best garden in the neighborhood. He loved sharing the fruits of his labor even more than the process of growing and tending his garden.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Nolan and Virginia Cluff, and his sister Karen Kimura.
Robert is survived by his wife Barbara, his six children Timothy (Tiffini) Cluff, Lisa Bernhardt, Nathan (Sally) Cluff, Naomi (John) Bergquist, Amy (Scott) Armstrong, Brian (Marcie) Cluff, and 27 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Jeanne (Garth) Reece, Ron (Sharron) Cluff, Marleen (Dennis) Dugger, Howard (Sylvia) Cluff, Chris Webber, Cheryl (Jeff) Whittle, and Connie (Bryan) Adams.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30 pm at the LDS chapel located at 1929 W 1500 N, Lehi, UT 84043.
Funeral services will be held on Friday October 21st, at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel located at 1929 W 1500 N, Lehi, UT 84043, with a viewing starting at 10:00 am and graveside service immediately following at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley.
To view the funeral services virtually click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG41O1J3Hf1G18HV6TEO7dA/live
