Sept. 28. 1939 ~ Dec. 16, 2023
Morris Joseph Robins was born in Nephi, Utah on Sept. 28, 1939 and passed to the next life at age 84 on Dec. 16, 2023 in Provo, Utah.
He was a graduate of Milliard High School as the Valedictorian for the class of 1957. He sold his sheep to pay for college, attending the University of Utah from 1957 to 1961 with a BA in Chemistry. He accepted an internship in 1960 in Rochester, New York at Eastman Kodak. He took a position in Buffalo, New York at Roswell Park Memorial in 1964 at the Cancer Research Institute as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. He graduated in 1965 with his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. Dr. M.J. Robins went on to become a world-renowned medicinal chemist.
From 1966-69, he resided in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Research Associate at the University of Utah. From there, he moved to Edmonton, Alberta as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Alberta, where he subsequently accrued tenure as an Associate, and then a Full Professor. Morris and Jackie were sealed on August 24, 1973. He took a sabbatical leave to Salt Lake as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry from 1981-82 at the University of Utah. He returned to the University of Alberta 1983-86, during which time, he was highly recruited by Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah as a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Research Chemist (1987 to 2007). A farm-boy at heart, he returned to his Scipio childhood roots at retirement in 2007.
Loving father of 8, grandfather of 28, great-grandfather of 22, holder of several original drug patents, highly-sought-after mentor for many graduate and post-doctoral fellows, world-traveler to 19 countries, expert consultant, Chairman of Gordon Research Conferences, life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple worker, Pathways missionary.
Survived by Jackie Robins (wife); Dayne Morris Robins; Diane & David Wunderli; Doug & Cheryl Robins; Debbie & Craig Foley; Dale & Juliene Robins; Mark & Mitzi Robins; Janetta & Andrew Boone; Tiffany & Luke Langton.
Morris enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, playing board and card games with great relish, listening to classical music, learning about international cultures, and of course, raising goats.
The Memorial Service was held Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. in the Grandview 9th Ward chapel at 1555 N 1350 W Provo, UT 84604. There was a Memory Mingle directly preceding the service at 4 p.m. where guests can share memories with the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Morris’s favorite charity campaigns, the Light the World Giving Machines. Goats were his favorite donation item:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines
