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planted in memory of Robert Newel Reynolds
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Obituary for Robert Newel Reynolds
Robert Newel Reynolds died on May 29, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. He was born November 30, 1937 in Murray, Utah, a son of Owen Ford Reynolds and Vernessa Young. Newel grew up in Holladay, Utah and graduated from Olympus High School (1956). After active military service and an LDS mission to the Central States he married Alene Richins in the Salt Lake Temple (1960). They were married 61 years. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's in Zoology and Entomology (1965) and worked for the United States Departments of the Interior and Agriculture for 32 years, serving as State Director of Wildlife Services in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and Assistant Regional Director for the western states prior to retirement in Denver in 1996.
Newel was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served as teacher, missionary, bishop’s counselor and high priest group secretary and instructor for many years. With his wife, Newel enjoyed doing family history work and serving in the Columbine Stake Family History Center. He was a specialist in the use of multimedia in recording and illustrating genealogical data and histories. He maintained a family history website and wrote and distributed family history articles to many individuals in several states. He had a deep and solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and demonstrated its principles by providing generous service to his friends and family members.
Newel was an accomplished woodworker and woodturner and loved to spend days in his shop creating lasting pieces of hardwood furniture and turnings for his children, grandchildren and his own home.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Owen Ford and Vernessa Reynolds and siblings Anne Bonham, Kay Reynolds and Barbara Bryant. He is survived by his sister Janet Welch, his wife Alene (Richins) Reynolds, children James Robert (Michelle), John Owen (Beth), Joseph Charles (Jessica) and Jodi Marie Nichol (Steve), 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
There will be an open house memorial in Colorado on Monday, June 6 from 6 to 8pm at the family home, Please contact family members for more details.
There will be an open house memorial in Utah on Saturday, June 18 from 5 to 7pm at his eldest son Jim’s house, Please contact the family for more details..
Some last words from Dad: We have many blessings. Life has been good. When you look at the furniture pieces I have made, think of me because I have put myself into every joint and surface. In my obituary, please acknowledge… my love of woodworking and the great time we have had on family outings like our trips to Zion and Canyonlands. I have no regrets. The gospel’s plan of repentance and redemption has enabled us to live in harmony and to continue to love one another. You can’t ask for more than that. I have loved the sound of bagpipes, bluegrass, Irish Folk, and classical music. Oh yes, one final request. If you have any kind of a service for me, please don’t ask anyone to speak who preaches, much. I don’t want any more preachin’, especially at my remembrance of the kind that makes folks feel guilty! Inspiration type talks are OK. I love the kind of sermons my sons know how to give, and I don't want the phonies anywhere close. Mother knows who not to let them stick their nose in! It would be great to hear from my sons and my only daughter. I would love to hear Steve play his pipes.. Some recognition of what I have accomplished would be nice – like a one minute eulogy that captures the historic things like Eagle Scout, HS cheerleader, mission 2nd counselor, BS and MS degrees, positions with the government, and as respects the church, let it be known that I died a believer and served in such jobs as bishop’s counselor, HP group instructor, secretary to good leaders etc. As for 30 years of government service, a slight mention is sufficient. As for woodworking, it would be okay to have Norm Abrams come and express himself on the joys of working with good wood!
