Roberts (Bob) Freestone Carver Obituary (1917 - 2008)

Roberts F. Carver OGDEN - Roberts F. (Bob) Carver, one of Ogden's finest, proudly wearing OPD badge Number One, made his final call into the station on May 6, 2008, from causes incident to age. He was born on February 23, 1917, in Clearfield, Utah to Lewis Henry Carver and Alice Afton Freestone. He met his eternal companion, Hilma Leavitt, while she was his nurse at St. Marks Hospital. They were married in the Logan Temple. It was said of them, "Going out with Bob and Hilma was like going out with movie stars." Roberts graduated from Davis High School lettering in boxing. He learned to dance because the girls wouldn't date anyone who couldn't dance. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Weber State. He was a faithful member of the LDS Waterfall Canyon Ward (41st ward) and even helped build the chapel. A law enforcement figure larger than life, Roberts set the standard for policemen. His career spanned 37 years starting at the "Arsenal." In 1943, he started as a patrolman with the Ogden City Police Department where he rose through the ranks to Captain. He did everything from searching the east bench hillside for a missing little boy to the infamous "shootout" at Dick's Cafe on 25th Street. His many lectures on the evils of crime to various Boy Scout troops are talked about even today. He attended polygraph school and was a 1963 graduate of the FBI National Academy. A leading pioneer in detective work, He was chosen to start the Ogden City/Weber County Mobile Crime Lab (CSI)-one of the first of its kind in the nation. He was known to be one of the best bosses in Ogden. After retiring from Ogden City, Governor Calvin Rampton appointed Bob as the first Director of Liquor Law Enforcement and Narcotics Bureau for the State of Utah; a position which he held for 9 years. He was an expert marksman, becoming State Champion and winning numerous competitions. He put countless criminals away and showed by dedicated labor that crime does not pay. His tough exterior served well to conceal his very tender, loving, and gentle interior. It was said of him, "He was a man's man." He always had a good horse in his barn and the ability to enjoy a hard days work. He loved his cabin, property in Mountain Green, and his "Little Red House" in Eden. We say, "Good night Captain." He and his wife, Hilma raised seven children who were grateful to have had Bob as their Dad. His children are Jack (Dortha) Carver, Yuma Az.; Janet Brower, Ogden; Doug (Glenna) Carver, Thousand Oaks, Ca.; David (Linda) Carver, Eden; Scott (Debbie) Carver, Ogden; Steven (Pat) Carver, Layton; Charles (Andrea) Carver, Fruit Heights, Utah. He also leaves behind 34 Grandchildren and 63 Great Grandchildren. He is survived by brothers George (June) and Jim (Norma) Carver. He was preceded in death by his wife Hilma, two children who died at birth, his parents, sisters Iona, May, June, Marge, Betty and Mary, brothers Glen, Floyd, Truman, and William (Bill). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2008 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden where friends may call prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the staff at Hearts For Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in his name to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or Humanitarian Aid by contributing at any local ward or by visiting www.lds.org VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 May 9, 2008 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM ServiceMyers Mortuary - Ogden 1875 Monroe Blvd Ogden, Utah 84401 May 9, 2008 11:00 AM CemeteryWashington Heights Memorial Park 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84403 May 9, 2008