Dee Curtis Robins

In the early morning of September 27, 2023, Dee passed away peacefully of natural causes at Whisper Cove in Kaysville, Utah.

Dee was born in the historic Robins home at 65 E. Crestwood Road, Kaysville, in Davis County, Utah on November 21, 1930.  The only son of Glen F. and Lola Curtis Robins.

He began his life journey during the early years of The Great Depression, likely leading to his frugal nature.   He was the youngest of eight children.  Having seven older sisters would lead him to proclaim that “every rose must have its seven thorns.”  This proclamation would later lead to his selection of a rose-adorned casket.  He was quick to regale anyone who would listen by stating, “Being the only son, I didn’t have to wear any hand-me-down dresses… after I got out of the crib that is!”  Growing up in the home of the Kaysville City Marshall, he learned to obey the law and value honesty.  His father, who helped manage the Kaysville City Baseball Team, taught him how to play baseball, hunt, and fish, from a young age.  He pursued football, basketball, baseball, and girls at Davis High School.  He was elected class treasurer his senior year, graduating in 1949.

In the fall of 1949, he enrolled in Weber State College.  He joined the basketball team as a walk-on player and earned a spot on the traveling team.  In November 1950 he received a tip that the Korean War draft notices would be delivered in 2-3 days.  To avoid the uncertainty of the draft he enlisted in the USAF.  He survived boot camp in steamy Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, and communications training in frozen Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming.  He was then stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

During his time at Wright-Patterson, he excelled in basketball, earning a spot on the 1st team All-Star squad. He also served as player-coach for the flag football team where he successfully introduced the double-wing offense.  The same one in use by Davis High football teams for six decades. His football team narrowly missed out on the championship by a score of 7 to 6.  It was during this time that he met Carol R. Johnson, whom he married in January 1953.  He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before his discharge in November 1954.

Upon returning to Utah, he decided to pursue a Marketing Major at the University of Utah.  His father, Glen Robins, was overjoyed when he became the father of two sons, Jeffrey and Clay, before completing his Bachelor of Science degree in 1958.  He immediately went to work for Simoniz, but one year later he was hired by Roerig, a Pfizer division, where he spent 31 years selling prescription drugs.  Throughout his career, and for thirty years more, he handed out an inexhaustible supply of Pfizer promotional swag like pens and paper to his friends and colleagues.

His Davis High School football scouting legacy began in 1959 under then-coach Gerald Purdy.  He recorded opponents' plays and compiled them into a detailed analysis, briefing five coaching staffs over 53 consecutive seasons through 2013.  His long tenure allowed him to assemble a collection of Davis High baseball hats, sweaters, and jackets of unparalleled proportions.  Along the way, the Utah High School Activities Association (USHAA) issued Dee their Lifetime  Activities Pass in 1988, allowing him to enter any Utah high school sporting event.  In 2002 he was awarded the distinguished USHAA “Super Fan” award.  Appropriately, the award was presented at halftime of the 2002 class 5A basketball championship game which Davis High School ultimately won.  Capturing the essence of Dee, and the moment, the Davis County Clipper reported in part:

“In the Robins home there were never enough football, basketball, baseball games, track meets or golf matches to satisfy their passion for high school sports.”

Dee’s golfing pursuits began humbly in 1963 at Davis Park Golf Course, growing into another sporting legacy lasting over 55 years.  It started by assuming the familiar treasurer role, within the Men’s Association.  He was soon thereafter elected president, again and again, until he was voted in as president for life!  After he retired from Pfizer in 1991, he immediately began a second working career at Davis Park Golf Course, which included numerous years serving on the USGA Handicap Committee.  You could always find Dee at the golf course working, overseeing a tournament, or golfing until he officially retired in December 2020 at the age of 90. 

His was a life well lived, by any measure.

Dee was preceded in death by his parents, and his “seven thorns”, Alta, LaRue, Olive, Ruth, Bonnie, Glenna, and Clover.

Dee is survived by his two sons Jeffrey D. (Connie) and Clay C. (Denise), along with nine grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Rd., Kaysville, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Friday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main Street, Kaysville, Utah.

Immediately following the graveside service there will be a luncheon at the LDS Chapel at 3024 South 1200 West Syracuse, UT 84075.

Thanks to the Staff at Whisper Cove for their care and compassion.

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