Robert Walter Getts August 23, 1948 - November 5, 2020

Robert Walter Getts passed away at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 5, 2020, ending his nineteen-month battle of fighting cancer. He was 72 years old.  “Bob” was born August 23, 1948, in Pasadena, California, to Robert Ralph Getts and Eleanor Marie Gorton Getts. He had one sibling, a sister, Anita Marie Getts.

The Getts lived in El Monte, California, where Bob attended elementary and grade schools.  He attended Rosemead High School and graduated in 1966.

During his childhood, he enjoyed Cub Scouts, riding his bike and family trips to the mountains. Bob had a love of fast cars as a teenager. He had a 1965 GTO and then a Chevy Chevelle.

Bob met his wife, Peggy Ann Mott, at high school, when Bob was a senior and Peggy was a freshman. They started dating when Peggy was sixteen.  After graduating high school, Bob attended Pasadena City College. Bob was a converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized May 4, 1968.

Bob joined the Air Force in August of 1968 and was trained to be a general purpose vehicle maintenance mechanic. Vehicle maintenance had been his “hobby” as a teenager. He desired to work on aircraft or electronic field, but was denied because of his color blindness, although he scored in the 98% in testing.

His first duty station was Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.  Bob and Peggy got married on October 18, 1969, and spent their first year of marriage in Alaska. Bob was then transferred to England AFB, Louisiana, where they spent a few months before his was given a humanitarian transfer to March AFB, California, to be closer to his father, who was terminally ill. While at March AFB, their first son, Ryan, was born April 3, 1972, and Bob also attended Riverside Community College; he graduated with an Associates Degree. In March of 1973, Bob was transferred to Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. This was a remote, unaccompanied assignment. After a year in Thailand, Bob came back to join Peggy and their son, Ryan, in California during his travel for his transfer to McDill AFB, Florida. Bob, Peggy and Ryan were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple, September 7, 1974. While at McDill AFB, their second son, Eric, was born December 9, 1975.  Bob spent the remainder of his service in the Air Force at McDill AF, Florida.  He obtained the rank of TSGT, E6 during this time, far ahead of the average time of promotion.

Bob received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1976. The family moved back to Southern California, where Bob got a job with Pacific Bell Telephone Company and continued his education at Cal State Los Angeles.  Their third son, Kevin, was born November 22, 1977.   Bob worked for  Pacific Bell Telephone Company, which was acquired by AT&T, for 33 years, until he accepted an early retirement in late 2009.

After retirement, Bob enjoyed gardening, cycling, spending more time with family and the family dogs, reading and traveling. He especially loved their many trips to Hawaii. He also was faithful in his church callings and activity in the Church.  Bob and Peggy moved to Salem, Utah, in 201,7 to build their home, which they moved into the end of June 2018.  He enjoyed riding his new John Deere lawnmower and working in the yard and garden. He also bought a guitar and started learning to play with self-taught lesson manuals. Bob loved living in beautiful Utah.

Bob is survived by wife, Peggy; and their three sons: Ryan, Eric and Kevin; and two granddaughters, Makena and Bailey. He is proceeded in death by his parents and sister.

A graveside service was held November 13, 2020, at the Salem City Cemetery.