Aug. 13, 1941 – April 29, 2022
Robert Grant Austad (aka Bob or Robbie) of St. George, Utah, passed away on April 29, 2022, at the age of 80, at the St. George Regional Hospital from surgical complications. He was born Aug. 13, 1941, in Ogden, Utah, to Grant Jacob Austad and Ora Verla Raty but was loved by his stepmother Barbara Laverne Pickett.
Bob always expressed his love of God both in word and example. He knew his Savior Jesus Christ and shared that testimony with others throughout his life beginning with his missionary service to Germany. He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many church callings, blessing many lives.
He married his sweetheart, Delpha Marie Reese on July 10, 1964, in the Salt Lake City Temple. During their 30 years of marriage, they had six children. Together they held many “hootenannies” sharing their love, friendship and the gospel to all those around them. Marie passed away in 1994 from surgical complications.
In 2008, Bob had the wonderful opportunity to marry his second true love, Charlotte Renee Boston of St. George. She had five children, all of whom Robert came to love and respect and together they continued to share love, friendship and the gospel to those around them.
Bob cared about people. In his professional life, he was a pioneering biofeedback psychologist. He was an instructor for Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” courses and he worked as a tribal social worker to the Indian nations, a social worker for the Department of Workforce Services and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as a high school and college counselor across the states of Utah and in Nevada.
He shared much wisdom with his family. He taught his children to live their lives by trying to make the lives of others better. His life was a life of service. He believed it is better to love others than to be loved by them and our love for others empowers us to act in ways that improve lives. Countless family members, friends and strangers have been blessed by his good deeds and Christ-like love.
Bob and Marie are survived by their six children: Matt (Irma Martinez) Austad of Hanover, Pennsylvania; Adam (Wendi Gubler) Austad of Saratoga Springs, Utah; Wayde (Tana Barney) Austad of Beaver, Utah; Heather (Gregory) Cannon of Central, Utah; Melissa (John) Young of Heber City, Utah; Zachary Austad of Saratoga Springs, Utah.
Bob is survived by Renee, as well as her five children: Christine (Kent) Chamberlain of Springville, Utah; Tracy (Silvia Fierro) Fernelius of Las Vegas, Nevada; Eric (Mary Stevens) Fernelius of Rexburg, Idaho; Rachel (Scott) Chamberlain of Aurora, Utah; Josh (Bonnie King) Fernelius of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bob is survived by a combined total of 49 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren with two on the way as well as his sister, Ruthie Austad Allred Witing of Glendale, California.
A marvelous example, a great influencer, a good man who lived a good life–Robert Grant Austad impacted so many and he will be deeply missed!
Funeral services will be on Friday, May 13, at 1 p.m. at the Bloomington Hills 4th Ward Church Building, 750 East Ft Pierce Drive North, St George, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to services from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Hurricane City Cemetery, 255 E. 600 N., Hurricane, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, Bob requested that donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints general mission fund.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.