Robert Dennis Deitz

Robert Dennis Deitz passed away on March 12th, 2026 in Sandy Rehab, Sandy, Utah at 76 years old. He was living with his sister Denise Olmos for the last 2 years because of his poor health. He was diagnosed with a diabetic sore on his foot which required much help from Denise. His foot healed but he was diagnosed with dementia which caused his health to continue to decline and was admitted to the Sandy Rehab.

He was preceded in death by his wives and children - Carol Deitz and Twins and Afton Deitz and his parents Virginia Marie Lovette Deitz and Walter Alfred Deitz. He is survived by his and Amara’s (deceased) children – daughter Anna Deitz Dare and son Robert D. Deitz Jr. (Huyen) and 2 granddaughters, Emilie and Ezabell. He is also survived by his sisters Marie Hathaway (Robert), Kay Bird (Ron), Denise Olmos and brother Walter Deitz (Debby) and many nieces and nephews.

Bob loved Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He had a testimony of them and never let go of that testimony even though he suffered great tribulation in his life. When he lived with his sister Marie and Buzz Hathaway he loved serving in the temple in Rexburg, Idaho. Bob was a very happy person. He loved people and talked to everyone he met. Most people he met would consider them to be his best friend. He met the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poplar Bluff, Missouri when he was 18. They asked him if he wanted to know anything about the Gospel of Jesus Christ of which he said “No, but my grandma would”, which started a current of missionary events that led many of his family to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including himself.

Bob was a natural born swimmer. Because of his swimming abilities he saved some missionaries from drowning during a baptism event in the spring of 1969. The missionaries were baptizing a family on a boat dock in the Black River in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Elder and Sister Tingey were a senior missionary couple serving there with other Elders in the church in Poplar Bluff. Elder Maughn was baptizing the mother of the family and in the process lost his footing on the boat dock and she and he both were swept down the river. Two other missionaries jumped in to help one being Elder Tingey who did not swim very well because of his age and disability. Virginia, Bob’s mother, saw they needed more help and told Bob to go. He quickly removed his tie and shoes and jumped in the river. He swam so fast he was able to get to them and pulled Elder Tingey to the bank and helped the others to the bank. He saved several people’s lives that day which was a great blessing.

He had several pets and loved them all including his dogs, his cows and his pigs but not Arnold the rooster. While in Sandy Rehab Denise gave him a black and white stuffed dog. To him it was real and he loved it. He gave the dog 3 different names, Puff, Cotton and Snowball.

We love you Bob and know you are having a great reunion in the Spirit World with all your family.