Robert L. Rees

Robert Lorraine Rees (“Bob”) died peacefully at home, August 25, 2010. Bob was born June 4, 1920 in Nephi, Utah to Dr. Nephi J. and Nina Thompson Rees. After graduating from East High in 1936, Bob was an undergraduate and Sigma Chi at the University of Utah. Beginning his medical training at the University of Utah Medical School, Bob transferred to and graduated from Northwestern University Medical School (1944).

Bob interned at LDS Hospital, and was an ophthalmology resident at the University Hospitals and Ophthalmology Clinic in Iowa City. While a resident, he served as an ophthalmologist and captain in the US Army Medical Corps during the occupation of Italy. Returning to Salt Lake in 1950, Bob practiced ophthalmology for 5 years at the Salt Lake Clinic, and then over 40 years in partnership with Doctors Dean Spear, Duncan McDonald, Darrell Wolfely, Michael Kottler and Alan Crandall. He served as an Instructor of Ophthalmology (1950 to 1980) in the Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, and as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, at the University of Utah. In his final professional years at the University’s John Moran Eye Center, he loved practicing with an energetic, highly motivated new generation of eye physicians. To these men and women, Bob again expresses his appreciation for the joy and comfort of their association.

Dr. Robert L. Rees practiced ophthalmology for 50 years, primarily in affiliation with Holy Cross Hospital where he was Chief of Staff in 1972. He finally retired at the age of 80 (2000). He always expressed how fortunate he was to have a vocation he dearly loved, with so many patients becoming life-long friends.

Bob enjoyed dancing in the Saturday Night Dance Club for over 20 years. And yes, Bob golfed with passion along the way at the Fort Douglas Hidden Valley Country Club, the Salt Lake Country Club, and later as a member of the infamous “Dirty Shirts.”

On September 18, 1943, Bob married his college sweetheart, Virginia Ruth Palmer. They were together 67 loving years. Together they had three daughters and a son: Mary Ann Rees, Margaret (Sumner) Stewart, Nina Norton, and Robert (Trina Eyring) Rees. Their family grew to include eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom affectionately called him “Grumpy.”

Bob was preceded in death by his four brothers, G. Stanford Rees, MD, Ellwood T. Rees, MD, H. David Rees, MD, and N. Morris Rees. He was always proud of his four generations of medical heritage.

A private family service will be held in the chapel of Holy Cross Hospital (now Salt Lake Regional Medical Center). The family thanks all of Dad’s caregivers at Community Nursing Services (CNS). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Community Nursing Services hospice (383 West Vine Street, Suite 300, Murray, UT 84123).