Homer Robins Forbes Obituary (1926 - 2019)

Homer Robins Forbes, age 92, passed away peacefully February 14, 2019 in South Jordan, Utah after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Homer Robins Forbes was born on March 18th, 1926 to Clarence George and Grace Alder Robins Forbes in Layton, Utah. He grew up working on the family farm with his three brothers, Dee, Charles, and Layne. After graduating from Davis High School in 1943, he enrolled in Weber Junior College. Close to the end of World War II, he joined and served honorably in the Navy. When the war ended, Homer returned to Utah and earned his BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah. He received a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. He met Alene Watkins in Richland, Washington. They married for time and all eternity on June 3, 1952 in the Salt Lake City Temple. He spent most of his professional career and retired with General Electric. Early in his career, he worked on the Gemini and Apollo projects. He finished his career as an engineer in the GE nuclear division. Homer and Alene lived in many places in the United States, but settled in San Jose, California. They raised seven children: Linda, Stephen, Carolene, Suzanne, Margaret, David, and Julee. After retirement, Homer and Alene built a house in the Sierra Mountains of Volcano California that they enjoyed for many years. They enjoyed serving a mission together in Auckland, New Zealand. They also enjoyed traveling to new places and visited over fifty countries around the world. He was an avid backpacker, gardener, and a sports fan. He studied history and was extremely knowledgeable about WW2. He enjoyed participating in sports and he refereed high school and church basketball for over a decade in the bay area. However, it was as a teacher and a friend of young people, and as a grandparent and great grandparent that he found his true calling. He and Alene participated at girl’s camp in the Sierra Mountains for over a decade where they led hikes and taught mountaineering skills. Homer was known for his terrific sense of humor and elaborate practical jokes. He was also the one who came to your rescue if there was a rattlesnake in your cabin. Because of their dedication to the girls camp and Camp Ritchie, the church dedicated the lodge with their name. Dad loved his big family and he organized yearly family gatherings that brought all of us together. There were many incredible family memories made in Alaska, Lake Powell, Lake Tahoe, and Volcano. Dad always took an active role on planning these trips, which often included bright t-shirts, fun family trivia contests, sports, and friendly competitions. Dad was in attendance at almost every graduation, recital, and missionary farewell and homecoming for his children and grandchildren. Homer was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in many callings including bishop, high councilor, missionary, and home teacher. He is survived by his wife Alene; children: Linda’s husband Bud, Stephen (Mary Faith) Forbes, Carolene (Paul) Cook, Suzanne (Steven) Roberts, Margaret Gibson, David (Gretchen) Forbes, and Julee (Todd) Koplin, thirty-two grandchildren; and fifty-three great-grandchildren. His brother Layne survived him. Preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Charles and Dee, his daughter Linda Crowther and his great grandchildren Jaycee Forbes, Ezra Cook, and Evelyn Gibson. A viewing will be held Sunday, February 24th from 6-8 PM at the Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan. The funeral will be held at 11 am on Monday, February the 25th at 2447 W. 11400 S., South Jordan, with a viewing from 10:00-10:45 prior to the funeral. Burial will be at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, with a luncheon afterwards at the chapel in South Jordan.