Rex Spendlove

1926 - 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rex Spendlove at the age of 99, a loving husband, devoted father, brilliant scientist, and visionary entrepreneur whose life was a testament to the power of curiosity and a pioneering spirit.

Born on April 29, 1926, in Hoytesville, Utah, to Hazel and Janus Spendlove, Rex's journey began in the mountains he loved. As a boy in Park City, he learned to ski on barrel slats and explored abandoned mines, his boundless curiosity and adventurous nature shaping a life defined by discovery. This same spirit led him to serve his country as a radioman in the Navy during World War II at the age of 17.

After the war, Rex's thirst for knowledge brought him to Brigham Young University, where he found success on the ski jumping team and, more importantly, found the love of his life, Reta Bright Allen. Their marriage in the Logan Temple on May 9, 1949, was the beginning of a beautiful partnership that would span a lifetime, a true foundation for the incredible life they built together. Rex and Reta were married for 71 years prior to Reta's passing in 2020.

Rex's academic journey took him from BYU to Ohio State University, where he earned his Ph.D. He built a distinguished career as a professor and researcher, teaching at the University of Connecticut and working for the California State Department of Public Health before finding his home at Utah State University. It was here that his legacy as an innovator truly took hold. Frustrated by the poor quality of commercially available fetal bovine serum that was hindering his research, Rex decided to solve the problem himself.

In 1967, he founded HyClone Laboratories, a company that revolutionized the scientific community by pioneering the techniques for producing consistently high-quality, reliable serum. His work reshaped cell culture production and provided researchers around the world with the tools they needed to make their own breakthroughs.

Rex sold Hyclone which then became Thermo Fisher and Cytiva, both of which are continuing on with his research and legacy, and both companies have provided employment for thousands over the course of many years.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rex's generosity and vision led him to establish Quansys Biosciences in 2004 to improve scientific research and diagnostic solutions. Today, the company continues to provide tools and services to researchers and laboratories worldwide.

For his ingenuity and contributions, Rex was recognized with numerous honors, including Utah Small Businessman of 1982, an Honorary Doctorate from Utah State University in 1989, and the Entrepreneur Success Award from the Small Business Administration in 1995.

Rex was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Through his membership, he faithfully followed Christ and His teachings. Leading by example and inspiring those he ministered to. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and attributed all he accomplished in his life due to the Divine Design of God and His Savior Jesus Christ.

Above all, Rex will be remembered as a family man. He shared in many beautiful relationships and always had an optimistic outlook on life and a sense of humor that blessed the lives of many. He and Reta are the loving parents of six children: Cheri (Steve Murdock), Rex Alan (Sandy Spendlove), Debbi Spendlove, Lisa (Nick Cornwell), Lori (John Arnold), and Ana-Lillian (Salam Awada). Their family grew to include 22 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren, a testament to the love and warmth he brought into the world.

Rex Spendlove's life was a masterclass in turning challenges into triumphs. His spirit of adventure, his dedication to his family, and his indelible contributions to science will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives his work has impacted.

His legacy is not just in the labs he helped equip, but in the family he cherished and the countless futures he helped to shape.

Our family would like to give a special thanks to Maple Springs Senior Living for their ever-loving care for Grandpa Rex over the course of the last two years. We are truly grateful for their service, kindness, and love.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm in the Providence South Stake Center. There will be a viewing held on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan and then at the church on Friday from 10:30 - 11:30 am.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.