Robert Evan Bunker
1914 ~ 2009

Robert Evan Bunker passed away April 15, 2009, in Orem, Utah. The eighth of 11 children, he was born on August 28, 1914 in Delta, Utah, to Ezra and Mary Terry Bunker. He graduated from Granite High School in 1933, where he was honored as an exceptional athlete. He attended Utah State University, playing basketball and football, and was captain of the 1936 Rocky Mountain Conference football champions. Bob participated in ROTC and the Phi Kappa Iota fraternity. When he graduated from Utah State in 1937, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.

Bob married Helen Palmer in the Logan (Utah) Temple on August 9, 1940. Upon returning from their honeymoon, he found papers waiting that called him to active duty as a Professor of Military Science at Utah State's ROTC. From 1942 to 1945, he commanded an anti-aircraft artillery unit in three World War II campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge.

Following the war, Bob coached at Preston (Idaho) High School, where he led the basketball team to a state championship in 1946. In 1949, he was hired as an assistant football coach at Brigham Young University. Until he retired from BYU in 1979, he worked in several capacities, including coaching basketball and teaching in the Physical Education Department. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve and retired as a Lt. Colonel.

Following Helen's death in 1982, Bob became the consummate grandpa, keeping track of birthdays, holidays and special occasions for all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a steadfast member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in many capacities. He taught by his example.

Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen, and nine siblings. He is survived by his four children: Robert P. (Diane), Draper, UT; Kent (Sharon), Stillwater, OK; Mary Ann Jackson (Mike), Provo, UT; and Sharee Sorenson (Charles), Salt Lake City, UT; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his brother Ellwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 20, 2009 at 12:00 noon, in the Suncrest LDS Stake Center, 120 North 600 West, Orem. Friends may call on Sunday, April 19, from 6-8 p.m. at the Berg Mortuary, 185 E. Center, Provo and from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the VFW Dist. #4.