Robert "Bob" Fred Bingham's Obituary
On November 18th, 2023, Robert Fred Bingham, 76, of Naalehu Hawaii, joined his mom, dad, three siblings, his beloved wife of 27 years, and many other family and friends for a holiday season celebration in Heaven that leaves all of us here on Earth just a little bit jealous. His daughter, Paula, was by his side as he took his final earthly breath, letting him know how much he was loved by so many.
Bob was born March 26th, 1947, in Ogden, Utah, to Cloereen Baker Bingham and Fred B. Bingham.
Bob graduated from Davis High School in 1965.
He served in the Army from 1966 to 1968 in the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Panama as a mechanic.
When Bob was still a teenager, he followed in his dad’s footsteps and started working as a mechanic at the family business, Bingham Garage, in Roy, Utah. He was known for his superior mechanical knowledge, hard work and dedication by many satisfied customers throughout the years. After the shop was sold, Bob worked for Autoliv in Ogden, Utah, as a forklift driver, until his retirement.
When he was just 14-years-old, Bob started riding race horses and it became his passion. He rode well into his thirties, proudly standing in the winner’s circle countless times. He was a well-respected jockey, known affectionately as ‘Little Bobby Bingham’ at tracks throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming.
Bob married Norine Harrington in 1969. They had one daughter, Paula. They later divorced.
He married Deanna Schneiter in 1974, with whom he had two sons, Justin and Tony. They would also later divorce.
In 1993 Bob married the woman he would lovingly spend the next 27 years with, Sharon Stephenson. They lived in Utah for many years and eventually built their dream home in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Bob adored Sharon and doted on her right up until her very last breath. Sharon had four children, two of whom Bob would form a special bond with- Misty and Jory.
Growing up with Bob for a dad meant many memorable fishing and camping trips. Some of his favorite places were Randolph, Causey, Woodruff, and Echo Reservoirs, and camping in Ogden Canyon.
Bob loved working with leather and many of his friends and family received at least one wallet, purse, belt or clock throughout the years, showcasing his beautiful work.
Bob was one of the hardest working people his friends and family knew. He was always working on something, but once he sat down in his favorite recliner, he was asleep in a matter of minutes. Not one of his children can look at a recliner today without fondly thinking of their dad and smiling.
Bob loved his yard and always made it a sight to see with brightly colored bird houses, gnomes, over-the-top Christmas decorations, and the most beautiful rose bushes. Almost every rose bush he had was a start from a single rose that had special meaning- whether it be from one of his kids’ dances, a wedding, funeral, or a bouquet he had given his wife. His rose bushes were his pride and joy, and he could tell you what special event each and every one of them came from.
While Bob lived the majority of his life in Utah and Idaho he got to spend the last three years living in Hawaii with his daughter Paula, her husband Josh, and the many farmed animals Paula rescued.
Bob loved to ‘talk story’ about his past and it was easy to listen to him for hours. Even the nurses who cared for him the past few months talked about what a storyteller he was and how much they enjoyed him. And, it didn’t matter what you might be talking about (or if anyone was talking at all), when he wanted to talk about something, he’d interject with his famous, “Anyhow, as I was saying…” and the stories would begin. We will miss hearing them.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and their beloved spouses Edmund Thompson and Tamari Coleman Bingham; three of his siblings Michael Bingham, Jody Bingham and Fae Bingham Painter; and his beloved wife, Sharon.
He is survived by brothers Allen (Ann) Bingham, Marvin (Tina) Bingham, and special brother-in-law Richard (Fae) Painter; his three children Paula (Josh) Buck, Justin (Megan Thurber) Bingham and Tony Bingham; bonus children Misty Garner and Jory Chase; fifteen grandchildren Courtland, Shailee and Jada (Paula), Blaze, Quinn, Cassidy, Riley, Skyler and Alex (Justin), Dreagan (Tony) Tayvia, Coleton, and Kylan (Misty), Tyla and Avery (Jory), and one great-granddaughter Ari (Jada).
The family wants to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Hilo Medical Center for caring for Bob during his many hospital stays over the past couple of years; to Hilo Health Choices and your caring hospice staff for overseeing Bob’s transition through end of life; to Cassandra Travers, FNP-C, who went above and beyond as Bob’s primary care provider here in Hawaii; to Misty Garner who selflessly cared for Bob for many years before he moved to Hawaii; and, last but not least, we want to extend a special mahalo nui loa to the amazingly kind and compassionate nurses of the Hilo Medical Center Extended Care Unit for all the care you gave Bob during the past several months, and especially for your compassion and aloha toward him and his daughter during his final hours. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Bob will be cremated in Hawaii and flown back home to Utah where a private family celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider planting a rose bush in your yard or the yard of a loved one. Bob loved his roses and we know he’d smile down on any rose bush planted in his honor.
A hui hou, Dad; until we meet again.
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