Robert Patrick O’Hara was born on August 1, 1969, in Evanston to Pat and Ruth Anne O’Hara and passed away peacefully in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on December 6, 2022.
Bobby will be remembered as a man who loved his family deeply and held friends close for life. His wife Teri was the light of his life and his children Chassidy (Amanda) and Kevin (Scarlette) were his pride and joy. Throughout his life there was a loving, unshakable bond between him and his parents. The family circle was completed by his cherished uncles and aunts, Jerry and Joleene and Bob and Tai; also, by his cousins who were, in a higher sense, his sister and brothers – Diane (Jonathan), Cory (Meggin), Kelly (Brenna), Chris (Emily), and Mike (Lauren). Teri strengthened this circle by bringing to it her children Alicia and Cody, along with Alicia’s children Aly, Jayde, Kenzie and Scarlett, allowing Bobby to proudly add the title “Grandpa.”
Bobby’s family could appropriately be called a team, considering the bonds that grew from decades of fishing and hunting trips, family Dutch-oven cookouts in the Wind River Mountains, music concerts near and far, and skiing with family at Brighton and Park City. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and considered it a treasured experience to attend a game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This was a highly adventurous soul who loved his home state of Wyoming and held close to his heart many glorious experiences at the family cabin on the Hams Fork. He was at home in the mountains behind the wheel of his jeeps and trucks.
Music was an important part of Bobby’s life, both the country music he identified with, and the music he played. When he held that silver Bach Stradivarius trumpet in his hands, he was a force to be reckoned with. A 1987 graduate of Evanston High School, his musical career started with his membership in the Davis Middle School Jazz Band that annihilated the competing bands across Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. He would be appointed principal trumpet in the symphony orchestra and jazz ensembles at Interlochen as a 15-year-old. He followed with the MVP summer camp at USU and then took to the field at Rice-Eccles stadium as a high stepping member of the Ute Marching Band. He was profoundly affected by the experience of playing ‘Taps” at many burial services for veterans at the Evanston City Cemetery and would take away from that experience a lifelong respect for this nation, its flag and our military services. Indeed, it was consistent with the family’s identification with the United States Army, and he proudly wore the title “Army Brat.”
Bobby was known for his strong work ethic, starting out stocking shelves at the Trail Boss—the family business—and would enjoy five productive years with his own side business, Rocky Mountain Log Crafters. He was as gifted with a chain saw as with the trumpet, and produced some beautiful log furniture still in use in the western U.S. During this period, he attended the University of Utah and Utah Valley University.
Bobby found his career calling in the medical devices industry. For five years he was employed by Boston Scientific, followed by a 24-year career at Merit Medical at its South Jordan, Utah, and Malvern, Pennsylvania, facilities, culminating in his most recent position as Director, Quality Assurance. He was extremely proud of his association with the Merit team and grew close to many employees over the years.
Robert Patrick O’Hara was preceded in death by his grandparents, Otto and Ruth Kennedy and Geneva O’Hara, his uncle Mike Jett, and his cousin Kevin Bret Kennedy. He is survived by his loving wife, his parents, children, grandchildren, and his uncles, aunts and cousins and their families. He leaves to everyone’s care the family dogs Miley, Zoey, Gracie, and Lucy.
A viewing for family will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 So.), Sandy, Utah, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. A public graveside service will follow at 12:00 noon, in the adjoining cemetery.
