Leigh Robbins Evans

Leigh Robbins Evans, 86, peacefully returned to his Heavenly home, on February 6, 2024, just 8 days after his beloved wife of 67 years, Fern Rindlisbacher Evans. 

Dad was the strength in our family. He was like a strong stalk that allowed Mom to blossom, sharing love and beauty with all. He quietly and humbly served, helped, blessed and lifted those around him.

He was born October 3, 1937, to Alldridge Neslen and Thelma Ellen Robbins Evans in Salt Lake City, UT. Dad was the youngest of 7 children. He had the blessing of living next door to his maternal grandparents, which was a great strength to him when his father and brother died when he was just 12 years old. Dad was taught and tutored under great priesthood holders, including his three older brothers and his uncle. 

Dad was a shy boy with an intelligent mind. He experienced many adventures while he was young, including voice lessons with the director of the Tabernacle Choir and driving his Grandpa to his Logan Canyon cabin at just 14 years old.

While working in his family’s restaurant, Keeley’s, he met the love of his life. They married not long after on December 31, 1956, and started their miraculous family of fourteen children. He loved being a father and loved children. Dad’s only regret about marrying young was not having the chance to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ. He had a great desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the missionary service of all 14 of his children was a reflection of that. When his youngest was 18 and graduated, Dad finally had his chance to serve a 23 month mission, with the best companion his wife, in the Bristol England & London South Missions.

Dad loved to learn. After 3 years of medical school at the University of Utah, he switched direction and graduated with a Masters in Microbiology. Dad worked for many years at the VA Hospital, in research. He loved his time there with Dr. Alfred Linker. On Saturdays, Dad also worked as a lab tech at the office of his three brothers, Dr’s Evans, Evans & Evans. He loved working with them.

Dad was the best son. He took care of his mom with such love. They took institute classes together and did family history work. Every week he would take Grandma for a drive or grocery shopping on Saturday and bring his large crew of kids to visit on Sunday.

Dad has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He served in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - ward mission leader, family history, high council, bishopric and many more. Dad was a dedicated home teacher, going every month, usually with one of his sons as his companion. His service blessed so many.

He is survived by his 14 children: Gary (Cathryn), Linda (Mark) Walton, Clark, Mark (Suzanne), Stephen (Rebecca), Bruce (Terri), Sally (Blake) Despain, John, Daniel (Alexis), Cindy (Darin) Thomsen, Brenda Finlinson, Matthew (Rochelle), Angela, and Holly, along with 42 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, his loving parents and his siblings. 

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the Salt Lake Big Cottonwood 4th Ward Building, 5565 South Neighbor Lane, Holladay, Utah.  Friends and family will be received prior to the funeral, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in the same building. The interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed on the Goff Mortuary Facebook Page at the following link: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Goff-Mortuary-116988261695382/ 
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)