Robert Yorgason

A sparkling star in our lives has been raised into the heavens. Robert James Yorgason beloved son, brother, uncle, and dear friend, passed away unexpectedly in San Diego, California on January 29, 2024. The amount of sorrow that we feel in Rob's leaving can only be matched by the abundance of joy that we feel in knowing of the sweet reunion that his grandparents and dear friends who have gone ahead are experiencing in his coming, as they embrace Rob and welcome him to his glorious new home.

Robert was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 5, 1983, to Keith Jay and Diane Hill Yorgason. As a child, Rob charmed everyone with his smile and his beautiful blue eyes. As the fourth of eight children, he was especially close to his three sisters. Any friend that they had quickly became a friend of Rob's as well. As a member of a large family, he learned how to get along with everyone, and to hold his own when he needed to, traits that served him well throughout his life. It became obvious early in his life how bright and gifted Rob was when, in elementary school, he came home with "The Great Brain", student of the week award almost every week.

He was motivated to apply himself and excel as a student. Rather than needing help with his own homework, he was always willing to help others with their studies. At Copper Hills High School, he was president of the DECA club whose purpose was to prepare emerging leaders in marketing, finance, and management. He graduated in 2002 with high honors, and an abundance of friends. As a young man, he demonstrated his unusual work ethic when he applied and got his first real job at the age of 14 as a custodian's helper at Oquirrh Elementary School. He maintained his academic excellence throughout high school, despite spending many hours working at Texas Roadhouse, where he built many lasting friendships with his co-workers, and was a customer favorite. At age 17, Rob became the youngest person to work as a teller at a local bank.

Throughout his childhood and youth, Rob was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many youth leadership positions, and earned his Eagle Scout and Duty to God awards. After graduating from high school, he attended Utah Valley University with a focus on business finance. At the age of twenty he stepped away from his higher education pursuits and accepted a call to serve as a full-time missionary with an assignment to serve in the Washington Tacoma mission. He was very disappointed when he was unable to complete his mission due to a painful medical condition, chronic Crohn's Disease, that continued to plague him throughout his life.

After returning home, Rob continued to work in the banking industry, and quickly advanced to become the youngest person to serve as a branch manager at the age of twenty-two. Because of his skills and enthusiasm, he was given the task of revitalizing branches that were struggling. Rob particularly enjoyed the friendships he developed with an ever-growing number of his loyal clients. He also hired and contributed to the success of many employees with his encouragement and kind mentoring. Eventually Rob rose to the position of Vice- President.

Rob later worked with his brothers at American Roofing Company, where his financial and people skills were a great asset to the company, a company owned by his father and his uncle. He also became the General Manager of American Dumpster Service, where he tripled the total volume of business done by the company in a very short time. He then served as a financial officer at JMT Equipment. Wherever Rob went he left his mark and added to the circle of his many friends.

Rob sought opportunities to serve others and make a difference in the world. For a number of years, he served as a board member of the Volunteers of America, Utah chapter, an organization dedicated to assisting vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or addiction. He was especially involved in assisting homeless youth in our community and was instrumental in organizing successful fundraisers to assist in this effort.

There was a restlessness about Rob. Seeking a new challenge and adventure, he moved to San Diego to pursue obtaining a law degree. While living there, his presence and personality were greatly missed when he was unable to make it home for family events and holidays. When discussing family plans, the first question asked was "will Rob be able to make it?" When he was able to return home, as he did this year for Thanksgiving and Christmas, family experiences were even more joyful and memorable.

Throughout his life, Rob never lost his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was taught and believed that we lived with our Father in Heaven before we entered mortality, and that one of the most important reasons that we came to earth was to learn and to grow. Rob never stopped learning and he never stopped growing. He was not afraid to tackle any task and he quickly became an expert in any subject that caught his interest.

Rob truly was a sparkling star to all who knew him. He was the life of any party. You always knew when Rob had arrived. He had an expansive circle of friends. People were drawn to Rob because of his sincere interest in them. He was blessed with a gift to help others to feel valued and important. He could talk with anyone and make them feel comfortable talking to him. It did not take long to know that Rob was your friend. He was a friend to people of all ages, and once you were friends with Rob, he was your friend forever.

Rob enjoyed traveling with his family and friends and was able to visit many interesting and beautiful places in the world. He felt at home in Utah where he was raised, but he loved San Diego. He would often share with his family and friends photos of many magnificent sunsets that he had taken from the vantage point of his patio.

Rob cherished his family, and often stated that nothing was more important to him. He was grateful and proud to be a member of the Yorgason family, and of his heritage. He reached out to love and connect with his nieces and nephews. They loved their uncle Rob, and they knew he loved them. Rob always sought to bring a smile to the face and joy to the heart of each person whose life he touched. He is loved and adored by each member of his large family, and many treasured friends. His love and devotion to his friends and family will be a sweet influence in our lives forever. Rob will be missed beyond measure, but never forgotten, and always in our hearts until we again hear his laughter and enjoy the warmth of his embrace.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Bob and Lorna Yorgason, Don and Joyce Hill, his uncle Ronald Hancock, many dear friends, and his sweet dogs Parker and Bella.

Rob is survived by his parents, his siblings; Nathan (Desiree), Matthew (Heather), Kristin (Simon) Gardner, Candace (Ryan) Burr, Laralee (Richard) Bradford, Andrew (Melissa), Jared (Christina), 24 nieces and nephews, dear friend Tiffany Bona, and his beloved dog Beau.

Funeral services will be held at the Riverview Ward chapel, 1327 West 5550 South, Taylorsville, Utah on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:00 am, with a brief viewing from 10:00 - 10:45. There will be a viewing the previous evening, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.

Funeral Services for Rob will be available to view via Zoom, using this link FUNERAL SERVICES FOR ROBERT YORGASON

Interment will be at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7925 South 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah.