Robert J. Welsh

Robert J. Welsh 1924 ~ 2009 Robert J. Welsh left this life, peacefully, early on the morning of May 6, 2009. Born on February 9, 1924 in Ogden, Utah, to Simon Martin Welsh and Jessie (Potter) Welsh, he was educated at the Utah School for the Deaf and the Rochester Institute of Technology, lived in Utah, California, New York and Colorado...and treated everyone, everywhere he went, to a delightful combination of indefatigable wit, intelligence, integrity, and a "go-for-it" attitude that was an inspiration to his family, students, co-workers, and the many friends he made during the course of his life. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Robert held a number of positions, faithfully serving his fellow members with the same verve that he lived his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Whitesides, in the Salt Lake Temple Aug 26, 1946. Robert's chosen career was in the printing industry, where he became an influential force in the technological revolution that bridged the gap between the centuries-old "hot metal" methods and the digital age. Of particular note was the time he spent as a teacher at the International Typographical Union Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, where he educated not only printers who were - as was he - hearing-impaired, but also non-English-speaking students from many different lands. His avocations included photography, carpentry (although building your own house, as he once did, may be considered by some to be more than a mere hobby!), tinkering with anything mechanical or electrical, and generally learning as much as possible about everything in the world around him. Robert simply and firmly believed that there were no limits to what he could do ... and he was, therefore, usually right. Robert was preceded by his loving wife of 58 years, Lorraine (Whitesides), father Simon; mother Jessie; stepmother Flossie; brothers Walter and Francis; sisters Jessie (Vern Carter), Barbara (Max Hooper) and Annie (Joseph Morris); and grandson John Paul II. He is survived by his children Jon, Oxnard, CA, Patti (John Paul Peterson), Lehi, UT, and Mark (Lisa Johnson), Franklin, TN; his grandchildren Sherilyn, Vanessa, R. Loren, Jesse, Rhiannon, Jennalyn, Shon R., and Alia Jean; great-grandson Dylan; and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist's Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. The family would like to offer special thanks to the angels at Greenwood Manor, Lehi, UT, without whose loving care and attention Robert's final years would not have been as safe and comfortable as they were. Donations in Robert's name may be made to the Utah Association for the Deaf, 5709 South 1500 West, Taylorsville, UT 84213. e-mail condolences to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com