ROBERT D. "Bob" Waite of Kaysville was a unique person, to say the least.
He died on December 30, 2019, at age 72.
Bob was a walking contradiction and someone you would not forget after having encountered him even just once.
In some ways, he was kind of Kaysville's non-general authority version of J. Golden Kimball, a legendary leader in the LDS Church in the early 20th Century, sporting colorful language and an unforgettable personality.
A staunch Democrat, Bob could make friends with anyone, including the most die-hard of Republicans.
I co-authored a book with Bob in 2012, "Evergreen Tabletops," with Gibbs Smith as the publisher.
Bob had a well-known floral shop (now razed and gone) in Kaysville, Utah, Designer Associates, and that was a passionate hobby of his. He had also had a successful career as a civil employee at Hill Air Force Base, ending up as the Base's housing manager.
He could talk to anyone and those who conversed with him would walk away with a good feeling, as Bob cared about everyone.
Bob especially loved his cats, but also delved into history (his college major).
He loved the community of Kaysville and especially all his neighbors.
I will always marvel that BYU-TV's "The Story Trek" show somehow managed by pure chance to knock on his door in 2015 and ask if he had a story to share. He did and the episode was titled, "The Cat Who Saved My Life."
I'll never fully understand how he was so likable to so many, or how he radiated so much unconditional love to others. However, I'm a better person for having known him and he will be missed.
I'd like to be a little more like Bob, but certainly without his colorful language.
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