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Rob Branch Obituary
1939 ~ 2024
Born October 12, 1939 to Erma Mae Smith and Dr. C.H. Hardin Branch, MD, in Los Angeles. Died June 15, 2024.
Raised, for the most part, in Salt Lake City along with younger brother, Skip.
Attended Wasatch Elementary, Olympus Junior High and graduated from Judge Memorial High School in 1957. Awarded a Bachelor's in Communications from Antioch University.
Served in the US Army stationed in Berlin, Germany (1958-60). Attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Awarded "Berlin Occupation" and "Good Conduct" medals.
Began career in radio at the age of 14, reporting on high school happenings on < then> KDYL-AM, SLC.
After service in the Army, worked as a disk-jockey at KWHO AM/FM, KWIC-AM, KALL-AM (KALL "Underground") and KSL-AM leaving SLC for San Diego (KOGO reporter and Assistant News Director and KSDO's."TRADEO" and news-talk as a reporter, talk show host); "Stringer" for CBS and ABC. Other stations included KTMS and KRUZ, Santa Barbara and KBOI-AM, Boise, Idaho;
Won many awards, including two Golden Mikes for his reporting. Charter member, San Diego Press Club, 25-year member of Society of Professional Journalists.
Voiced and appeared on-camera and voice-over for numerous clients' commercials.
Checked into an alcohol rehab center in 1984; sober ever since.
Taught at Grossmont Community College (El Cajon, CA) and retired from Palomar Community College (San Marcos, CA) teaching journalism, radio and tv production and General Manager of and put Palomar's KKSM-AM on-the-air.
Other employment included English and Oral Comp at AmeriTech College of Nursing (SLC) (..." best bunch of people I ever worked for and with"); OSHER Life Long Learning, San Jose State University and University of Utah, journalism; Salt Lake Community College radio production, and journalism; Reserve Police Officer for Murray Police Department;
Leaves - grudgingly - wife, Marva (Myke), the true love of his life for over 50-years (23 of which he was married to her); daughter, Jessica; son, Matt; and two children from a previous marriage. Also, leaves very GRANDsons, Alex, Jordan and lan.
Proud of his Scottish heritage yet couldn't find enough events where he could wear his kilt!
Best quote: "If a day goes by and you haven't heard an idea you never heard before, or made an ass of yourself at least once, the day is a loss."
Memberships in Berlin US Military Veteran's Association, Southern Poverty Law Center, National Council of Teachers of English, and "Broadcast Pioneer" of the Broadcasters' Foundation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Please visit www.Starksfuneral.com to share photos and memories with Rob's family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rob Branch
Sponsored by Starks Funeral Parlor.
2 Entries
Cathy Caputo Hoskins
June 23, 2024
Sorrry about Rob´s passing. Graduated with him from Judge in 1957. Great guy with a wonderful sense of humor. May he rest in eternal peace. My condolences to his family.
Ryan McDonald
June 21, 2024
Rob was my very first journalism instructor at Salt Lake Community College in 2010. I immediately fell in love with the subject, largely thanks to him, and I have been in the field ever since.
I remember when Rob took roll on the very first day of class, he called our names and then asked, "Are you a reporter?" and gave us our first reporting notebooks when we answered yes.
Then each day of the semester as we left class, Rob would proclaim, "Love ya madly, and I'll see ya in print." He was passionate about what he taught and was so legitimately proud of his students.
Rob was truly one of a kind, someone I owe a lot to and someone I'll never forget.
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