Robert Holman Coombs

Robert Holman Coombs 1934 ~ 2005 Robert Holman Coombs passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 22, 2005. He was born on September 16, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Morgan Scott and Vivian Holman Coombs. Bob grew up in Salt Lake City and attended East High School. He loved playing church basketball-no wonder he later gave his children and grandchildren pointers about how to dribble and shoot lay-ups! Bob served in the Central Atlantic States Mission for the LDS Church for two years. After his mission, he continued his studies at the University of Utah, majoring in Sociology and Philosophy, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1958. There he met Carol Jean Cook, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in May of 1958. Bob served in the Army and earned a master's degree from the University of Utah in 1959, then a Ph.D. from Washington State University in 1964. He and Carol Jean lived in Washington, Iowa, and North Carolina, later settling in the Los Angeles area, where they raised their seven children. Bob was a full professor of Biobehavioral Sciences at the Neuropsychiatric Institute of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine. For 35 years he conducted research; published books; served in administrative capacities; taught classes; and provided marriage, family, and grief counseling. His primary areas of specialty were drug addiction and medical socialization, fields in which he was a noted expert and made vital contributions. The list of his professional accomplishments is 24 pages long. Just to give you an idea, he wrote or edited 19 books, 58 journal articles, 22 book chapters, and 25 additional publications. He served on multiple national and international committees and in many advisory capacities. He has been a keynote speaker at national conferences of the American Medical Association and published with Harvard University Press. His most recent books were comprehensive handbooks and desk references on addictions and marriage and family counseling. Bob was a wise, proud, and fun father and grandfather. He always offered inspired counsel, and he was known for his quick sense of humor, too. In addition to his wife, Carol Jean, he is survived by seven children and their spouses: Robert Scott, Kathryn, Lorraine and her fianc‚ Steve Carlston, Karen and her husband David Dorough, Holly and her husband Chip Ormond, Krista, and David Jeremy and his wife Kim. Bob leaves behind nine grandchildren: Trevor, Tyler, Natalie, Zachary, Dillon, Kristina, Kyle, Landon, and Sylvie. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Shirley Peterson, Jackie Eldredge, Scott Coombs, and Douglas Coombs. Bob was a talented teacher. He was frequently recognized for his teaching ability at UCLA, including receiving the Distinguished Faculty Educator Award. His church classes were wonderful-it's hard to say who appreciated him more in recent years, his Primary class of 10-year-olds, his Gospel Doctrine students, or the High Priests Quorum. He had a way of making things clear and inviting class discussion that inspired many, and the list of those who have read the scriptures daily for years because of his influence is a long one. Bob also served in many other church callings, including bishop of two different wards: Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Camarillo, CA. More than anything, Bob loved to learn and share ideas. He liked to try new things and go new places. His preferred companion for his adventures was his wife, Carol Jean. She and his children will miss him very much; they picture him finding joy in his newest adventure on the other side of the veil. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 12:00 noon at the Bountiful Hills Ward Chapel, 1190 East Bountiful Hills Drive (900 South). Friends and family may call Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Saturday morning from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. In lieu of flowers, his family is accepting donations for a homeless women's shelter in Los Angeles that Bob wished to assist.