Robert King

Robert Roland King, 59, of Orem Utah went to join others who beat him to the afterlife, in American Fork Utah.

Robert was a force to be reckoned with in the gift of gab, debating anything from politics to religion, to anything that would allow another to elevate their blood pressure in frustration at his seamless skillset. Opinionated, informed and well read, you would not know what his position was, just that he enjoyed it when he met the overt opinionated individual who thought what he believed was the correct or RIGHT belief. As if Robert was placed in front of the person to bring him down to a more human and humane level, at least to grant some relief from often loose tongues or oversharing today.

He had a passion for finding treasures in nature, often setting out on journeys to canyons, deserts and caves in search of rare rocks and artifacts. These outings brought him joy in the hunt, the find and the peace always able to be found in nature disconnecting from the world we live in.

Robert was a very skilled artist from a young age. While a teenager living in American Fork his basement bedroom was covered not in posters but his own drawings portraying artists or bands in his own expression of his love of music. Being the oldest of five younger siblings, his love for an artist was unique until one of those younger siblings was singing one of "his artist's," songs, at which point Robert would consider the group "tainted" succumbed to mainstream or top forty and swear them off.

Robert earned his Eagle Scout at an early age, always enjoying earning merit badges, learning how to serve others and learning outdoor skills to enjoy many years of camping and adventure. After graduating from American Fork High School, class of 1983, he was over the top excited to go work on Catalina Island at the Boy Scout Camp located on the opposite side of the tourist area of Avalon. His younger brother Aaron followed him the following year to join him on the Island, the brothers were close.

The three brothers Robert, Aaron and Jason were "the King boys" take it good or bad, Robert was the oldest and always felt responsible for his younger brothers. He lost his younger brothers in recent years, Jason who had been Robert's neighbor and Aaron, who he was so glad he was able to go see before his death during covid in Ketchikan Alaska.

Robert was a loyal friend and loved life with all its ups and downs. He experienced marriage twice and was able to have three sons of his own from the marriages. (Robert Marley King, Steven Rylye King, and Parker William King).

His sons were his life. As Parker and Rylye grew from children to men, they became Robert's best and closest friends, sharing many adventures and experiences with them, always wanting them to join him when opportunity would come around. Robert was so proud of his sons, always bragging about their recent life changes in careers or jobs or having made him a grandpa. All parents have unconditional love for their children, that doesn't mean this character trait is automatic with a parent. Robert was born with the natural ability to unconditionally love his boys. They were bonded not just by life experiences or blood but the complete transparency in sharing with one another fears or struggles knowing they were free from judgement and safe sharing this with someone who loved them.

Born in Hawthorne, California on April 14, 1965, to Paul and Joan (Williams) King, one day before his parents one year anniversary.Proceeding Robert in death were his father Paul King, mother Joan Hyatt, brothers Jason and Aaron King and many grandparents and others who had been important in Robert's life.

He is survived by his sisters Sarah Burgman and Deborah Schuetz, his sons Robert Marley King, Steven Rylye King, and Parker William King, his grandson Declan Lloyd VanAusdal, his step-mother Colleen Lee, his Aunt Madeline, and many nieces and nephews. Christine Goodwin, the mother of Rylye and Parker also remained a close friend to Robert, many other friends, adventurists, co-workers also are left to take on the new challenges the world brings without Robert to debate current issues for them.

Robert will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A wake will be held on March 22nd at one of his favorite places on earth, Utah Dump Digger at 7203 West 7750 North, American Fork, Utah, it'll be open house and run from 11AM to 8PM.