Robert Todd Obituary

Robert Howard Todd

Born July 6, 1942 – Died October 31, 2025

Robert Howard Todd, devoted husband and father, servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and pioneering educator, passed away on October 31, 2025, at the age of 83. His life was marked by a deep commitment to his family, his faith, and to engineering education.

Robert was born to his beloved parents, Howard and Sarah Todd, on July 6, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. He was the second of three children, and has been known as "Bob" since his early years. Even as a boy, he was fascinated with learning and building. At age seven, he built his first go-kart, and at age ten, he built a nineteen-room treehouse in his family's backyard, complete with electric lights! Some of his most memorable Christmas gifts were an Estwing hammer with a rawhide-covered steel handle from his parents and a bucket of 8-penny nails from his aunt! At age twelve, his parents allowed him to purchase his first car, a 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe, for ten dollars. This purchase was made with the understanding that he would take the car apart and use it to learn about how automobiles were designed and made. During his teenage years, he worked at the neighborhood garage, so he could learn more about cars and pursue his passion for working with machines. Bob's love for old cars continued throughout his life; he restored several Model A Fords and was a member of the Utah Valley Model A Club.

After graduating from high school, Bob pursued a bachelor's degree in engineering from San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University at Northridge). When he was a senior, a friend introduced him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he was baptized on January 25, 1964. He then earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and was offered a fellowship in Stanford's Ph.D. program, but decided to decline the fellowship in order to serve a mission for the Church. He served for two years in the Florida Mission, and this was one of the great experiences and blessings of his life. Bob would often relate experiences from his mission and testify that it was a catalyst for many other blessings. He would say "every good thing that has come into my life has come because of my decision to serve a mission." For example, his decision to serve a mission ultimately led to an offer for an even better Ph.D. project at Stanford. And through a former mission companion, he was introduced to Janell Shurtz, who would become his eternal companion. Bob and Janell were sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on January 29, 1969.

Bob received his Ph.D. from Stanford in mechanical engineering in 1971 and accepted a position at Ricks College, becoming the first professor at Ricks College with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. In 1979, he left Ricks College to work in engineering management at General Motors and Michelin Tire Corporation, but returned to academia in 1989, when he accepted a professorship at Brigham Young University. There, he helped establish the mechanical engineering capstone program and coached Formula SAE racing teams. Bob was passionate about engineering education and inspired generations of students up until he retired in 2012-and even thereafter. His contributions earned him recognition as a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bob was a dedicated servant in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in several callings, including as a counselor in a bishopric, a branch president to young single adults, a young men's president, a high councilor, a counselor in two stake presidencies, and as a stake president. After his retirement, he and his wife served four missions together, including a mission to Madagascar and in temples in Palmyra, Tahiti, and Nauvoo. At the time of his death, he was serving as a temple sealer and patriarch. He was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and loved the teachings of the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. His children will always remember seeing him study the scriptures and kneeling in prayer daily. Daily family prayer, daily scripture study, and weekly Family Home Evening were staples in the Todd home.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His family will remember the time he spent with them and the extraordinary gift he had to show love and faith in each of them individually. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janell, and their children, David (Cindy) Todd, Daniel (Amy) Todd, Matthew (Melanie) Todd, Emily (Aaron) Mangum, Benjamin (Afton) Todd, Samuel (Brittany) Todd, Elizabeth (Gary) Eaton, and Amy (Dustin) Ormond, as well as twenty-eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who will carry forward his values and memory with love and pride. He was preceded in death by his father Howard George Todd, his mother Sarah Frances Armstrong Todd, his older sister Ann Todd, and his younger brother John Wear Todd, as well as his beloved father-in-law Doyle Park Shurtz and mother-in-law LoRee Munson Shurtz.

A funeral will be held in his honor at the Pleasant View Fifth Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2400 North 1060 East in Provo, Utah at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. A viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am on November 12 at that same location and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 11 at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue in Provo, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University, reflecting Bob's lifelong commitment to education, faith, and service.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.