My Uncle Bob

I'm leaving today for Salt Lake City to attend the funeral for my sweet Uncle Bob. He was diagnosed last July with brain cancer and this picture is from that heart-wrenching weekend when we found out about the tumor. 

I will miss him so much! He was brilliant and funny and so wonderful--my only uncle on my mom's side and a huge part of my life. He taught me the importance of education and a love of learning and cultures and this beautiful world! He sent me treasures from all over the world and magically pulled quarters out of my ears. He had a consistency about him that was so comforting as a child...everytime I saw him (since as early as I can remember), without fail, he would ask me two questions, "Have you quit smoking yet?" and "Have you quit drinking the water out of the toilet?" to which I would laugh and shake my head and reply"Uncle Bob! That's gross! I don't do that stuff!" and he would just chuckle and say "That's not what I heard" or "Well, you better not start!" Every single Christmas we would wrap a package of Twinkies for eachother and write on the label "To: Twinkie Buns" "Love, The Other Twinkie Buns!" I don't actually know how that got started but we've been doing it for years and I looked forward to it every Christmas! 

We had such a wonderful friendship; he made me feel so special and unique and valued. As a little girl through adulthood, I felt like I was his comrade!! I will treasure our late night Pinochle games, Ma-Jong on the computer, singing along to Roy Orbison, listening to him play the piano, anticipating his next treasure from one of his worldly jaunts--whether it was a postcard, an old-school weapon, an African mask, a beautiful stacking doll, a jewelry box, jumping beans, or wiggly wooden bugs in walnut shells!

I will miss you Uncle Bob and I love you so much and can't wait to reunite with you one day in heaven where you can ask me your questions again! I don't know why you were taken from this earth so soon, but I do know that you have left an incredible footprint and a lovely legacy. I love the way you valued your family so much and I loved to see you flirt with Aunt Marsha! You are an amazing man--Thank you for such wonderful memories and a great example. 

Love, 

Your Twinkie Buns

His obituary...
Robert D. Apgood

Robert D. Apgood 1941 ~ 2008 Robert "Bob" Apgood passed away in the early hours of August 1st, in the arms of his eternal sweetheart and his most prized treasures, his three children. Robert Dale Apgood was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on February 20, 1941 to Dale M. and Esther "Mamie" Palmer Apgood. He loved his Idaho heritage and was forever regarded as a true Idaho Cowboy. He had a passion for the "Cowboy way," which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. During his childhood he formed the deepest of friendships with his Idaho "gang", which will last forever. Bob served an LDS Austrian Mission from 1961 to 1963. This marked the beginning of a genuine love between him and the Austrian people, music and culture. While Bob was an undergrad at BYU, he found the absolute love of his life and married Marsha Foreman on May 1, 1964, in the Salt Lake Temple. Bob and Marsha would begin what many called the most unbelievably wonderful marriage - it has seemed like one giant date. Bob had an insatiable appetite for education. When it came to matters of the heart or the brain, he believed that one could never love or learn too much. That said, he completed two Bachelors Degrees - Accounting from BYU and German from the University of Utah, became a CPA, received a Cours Superieur from the University of Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France and an MBA from the University of Utah. He also received two PhDs - Accountancy from the University of Illinois and Comparative Educational Processes of International Accounting from the University of Utah. Bob started his career as a CPA with Peat Marwick in Los Angeles. He was a professor of accounting in the MBA programs at San Francisco State University, Westminster College, and Weber State. He co-authored the Utah State Tax Law passed in 1972. He was Vice President of Finance for KUTV and chaired the Accounting Standards Committee for the Broadcast Industry. Throughout his career, he published over 20 business books and articles. He found tremendous success the past 25 years as a Consultant/Lecturer. It all began while teaching for Mobil Oil in Africa and Japan. He thrived in the International market and helped mentor students and executives in over 100 countries. He was known across the world as the King of financial analysis, M&A, creating shareholder value, and strategy. He was greatly admired and respected by those he worked with and taught. Bob had an unbound love for his family. He was the ultimate husband, son, father and grandfather and never let a moment go by without telling us. Every day brought grand adventures in which we all participated. Bob is survived by his wife, Marsha, daughter, Allyson (Jim Tofel) of Tucson, AZ; and sons, R. Anthony "Tony" (Lynne McAllister) of Salt Lake City, UT; and Richard D. "Rick" (Susan Matthews) of Bethesda, MD. His eight grandchildren, referred to lovingly as his little knotheads and little monkeys, are Lauren, Carlee and Lexi Tofel; Josh and Luke Apgood; and Robert, Matthew and Richard Apgood. They were the light of his life. He is also survived by his beloved mother, Esther, and his sister, Margaret, both of Salt Lake City. He is preceded in death by his father, Dale and his in-laws, Dick and Dollie Foreman, Bob spent his final weeks in the Huntsman Cancer Center. A special thank you to Dr. Michael Glantz, Mary, Scott, Rick, and all of his caring nurses. A viewing will be held Friday, Aug. 8, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South. The funeral will be at the Parleys 6th Ward, 2400 S. 2100 E., Saturday, Aug. 9 at 12:00 noon with a viewing from 10:30 to 11:30. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, SLC, UT 84108. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com