Robert W. Wells

Robert W. Wells

Park City, a town we all love to call our home, lost an extraordinary member of our community last weekend. A husband, a father, a grandfather, a co-worker, a philanthropist, and a true visionary. An innovator, and a collaborator with a very dry wit. A source of genuine compassion, intelligence, and talent. At the age of 72 and after a two-year battle with cancer, Robert W. Wells spent his last moments at home with his family where he passed away peacefully on Sunday night, March 15, 2015.
Raised in Laurel, Mississippi, Bob received a degree in accounting from Mississippi State University and a prompt job offer from the nationally recognized accounting firm of Arthur Andersen. It is there that Bob met Edgar Stern, one of his accounting clients. That relationship would prove to be pivotal for Bob. The Stern family, and its development company, Royal Street, acquired the Park City Ski Resort in the early 1970s, and Edgar Stern offered Bob a job as its chief financial officer. Bob accepted the offer and moved to Park City in 1971. Bob was later instrumental in Royal Street's development of the Deer Valley Resort.
Over the next 45 years Bob's involvement in Park City was extraordinary. But his involvement with Deer Valley was only part of what this multi-talented man accomplished during these years. He also managed to serve two full terms as a member of the Park City Council. He was a member and later chairman of the Park City Planning Commission. Bob was president of the Park City Chamber and Visitor's Bureau and Ski Utah. He was a founder and director of the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust. He also provided leadership in the creation of the Peace House, and he served as a member of the board of Community Wireless of Park City.
Amidst all of this professional activity, his wife, Patti, was the cornerstone of Bob's life. For over 40 years they have loved and supported each other and shared an incredible bond. Bob was an amazing father to Amy, Rob and Kelly. His children idolized him and recognized their dad as a man of great integrity and honor. As a proud grandfather, he supported his grandsons Max, Jake and Ryan in their many activities. Special memories are family beach vacations, early morning Sunday golf, fishing on the Green and treasured time on the boat at Lake Powell. Bob especially enjoyed golfing with his dear friend, Thayer Christensen, and all his buddies in the "Rabbits Group" at The Country Club in Salt Lake.
In the decades that Bob worked at Deer Valley Resort, he had the unique ability to establish lasting relationships with so many of his "Deer Valley Family" co-workers, regardless of their role or responsibility. Along with their shared commitment to the continuing success of the Deer Valley Resort, Bob Wheaton and Bob have also enjoyed an enduring and close personal friendship.
The depth and breadth of Bob's decades of contribution to Park City are immeasurable. One of the numerous awards given to him for his voluntary service contained a statement from Winston Churchill. It reads: "We make a living by what we do; but we make a life by what we give." That statement exemplifies how Bob lived his life. Bob is now reunited with his daughter Kelly, who passed away in July 2010. Our town has truly lost a quiet, unassuming and brilliant icon.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1505 White Pine Canyon Road in Park City. Friends and colleagues may call upon the family at St. Mary's from 11:30 to 12:45 p.m., prior to the mass. Graveside service to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 4th Ave. "T" Street, Salt Lake City.
A celebration of Bob's life will also be held on Tuesday, March 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Lake Lodge, mid-mountain Deer Valley Resort.
Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com