3/30/48 ~ 3/2/03
Robert Bergstrom Ingebretsen, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday March 2, 2003 of heart failure. He was 54 years old. His life was marked by his love for his children. He rejoiced every day of his life in their accomplishments. He looked forward to being called "grandpa" and loved the affectionate term his granddaughter gave him of "Gran-Bob." And while his life ended prematurely, his accomplishments changed the world.
He was born March 30, 1948 in Salt Lake City, to Robert and Mary Ingebretsen. Rob's special gift was his genius which he used to alter history. He attended East High School where he was a Sterling Scholar then graduated from the University of Utah with a BS and MA in physics and computer science with every accolade possible. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and then into the Beehive Honor Society. He then worked with his mentor, Dr. Thomas Stockham on the development of digital sound. This work revolutionized the music and motion picture industry for which he received an Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences and Arts in 1999. He then helped to pioneer the methods which satellites use for telecommunication. These works altered the course of technology.
He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived an exemplary moral and righteous life. He delighted as he served in a number of callings in his service to the Lord. He served a mission to the Northern States Mission where he was an assistant to his mission president.
Rob was a devoted father. He loved his children and devoted his life to them. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Rhode Ingebretsen and is survived by his mother Mary Ingebretsen and by his children Robert (Andra), Erin (Brent Turley), Alyson (Jason King), Thomas (Lindsey), Drew, by two grandchildren and by his brothers James, Richard and David (Jan) and his sisters Lynne, Ann, Susan and by his companion Carol Chapman Whitaker.
He was in love with life. He was a wonderful listener and he lived to share the lives of those he loved. His sense of humor, keen insight and wonderful advice will be missed. We love you and will miss you. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to the American Heart Association.
Scott Pugsley
Wikipedia entry for Robby: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Ingebretsen
Rudy Thompson
I enjoyed the jr high days as well as all of High School he was a good neighbor and a good friend.
Susan Heiner (Fuller)
Robby was a good friend to me in High School. We had a lot of math and science classes together. He later mentored my oldest son Ron (who was living with his uncle at the time) in computer stuff in the 1990's when they actually lived next door to each other in Cottonwood Heights not knowing that they each knew me. I only learned that he lived next door to my husband's brother Gene a few years later when I was there in 1996 for our 30th reunion and saw a red VW next door. Gene exclaimed that the car belonged to Robby Ingebretson! What a surprise!! Turns out the VW owner was younger than Ron, but I got my niece to take me over to see Robby Sr. He was in a lot of pain with his back, but we had a nice visit. I was disappointed that he would not be at the reunion, but so glad that we got to visit. I met his lovely wife and saw pictures of his children, noticing that Robby Jr bore a remarkable resemblance to his father! Rob passed away a few years later. I saw him just that once since 1966 but have always remembered him fondly. IT was a privilege to have known him.