Growing up I loved my parents knives: Cutco Cutlery. But I didn’t think that I’d ever spend the money to buy them. Well someone from the ward referred this Cutco salesman to us to come by and give us a presentation. I thought that I’ve heard about Cutco from my brothers since they both sold Cutco. We also had a friend do the presentation to us a few years ago. I didn’t plan on buying anything well. But the freebies that he was willing to give us made it too tempting to say no. We did and I’m pretty excited to get them and use them. I think that they’ll go well in whatever house we end up buying. We’re still trying to get into something. At least we can be more patient with that.

One of the pieces that help to sell the product was the Forever Guarantee.

Here are some of the posts that I’ve found about my dad’s funeral and tributes to him.

First, I wrote two posts a few posts ago 1, 2.

Second, my siblings have written things: Sarah’s post, Amie’s post, Mary Ann’s post, Spencer sent a nice note via email and put a post, Rachel’s post.

Friends – Anita Hahn wrote this. It was beautiful.

One of my dad’s last wishes for my mom. After my dad’s funeral, JP, Mat, Spencer, Amie, and I worked on putting in little patio for my mom. You did a great job. You did most of the work. Amie put up a photo of it.

Post a comment of any others.

My dad’s funeral was Tuesday. The proceedings were wonderful.

Here is a copy of the program [I've got to find my copy and then I'll post it]*.

Here is also a copy of my remarks for the Life Sketch for Rodger Lorin Scoville, May 20, 2008. This was an honor and privilege to talk about my dad. Also it felt healing to think about him and the good that he did throughout his life.

I have also included links to see the photo I took of my dad’s obituary in the Deseret News. It was the same in the Salt Lake Tribune. I have also located the written text so you can read what it says.

Dr. Rodger Scoville
Delta
1945 – 2008

Dr. Rodger Lorin Scoville, age 62, was born November 2, 1945, and raised in Alberta, Canada to Ellsworth Earl and Annetta Gibb Scoville. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the French East Mission and was a faithful member throughout his life. He married his beautiful bride, Mary Michie, on October 2, 1969. He studied French and German at BYU then obtained a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from Logan College.

He practiced Chiropractics in Delta, Utah since 1984. He was actively involved in the community and state in many different capacities from Delta City Council to the Utah Chiropractic Physicians Board. He was very proud to serve on the Delta City Fire Department since 1986, including Fire Chief for several years.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he passed away May 16, 2008, after a short struggle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife: Mary; children: Juliette (Aaron) Muir, Smithfield, UT; John-Paul (Mary Ann) Scoville, Gilbert AZ; Spencer Lee (Jonene) Scoville, Richfield, UT; Amie (Mathew) Levine, Asheville, NC; David Phillip (Marlene) Scoville, Provo, UT; Sarah Scoville, Mesa, AZ; and Rachel Scoville, Mesa, AZ; grandchildren: Alex, Shaelea, Abigail, Oscar, Mackenzie, Isabella, Lilly, Max, Ian, and Henry; brothers and sisters: Earl (Celanie) Scoville, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada; Mary Ann (Randy) Lewis, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Jane (Bob) Milner, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada; Stewart (Gail) Scoville, Price, UT.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11 am at the Delta 1st Ward, 222 W 200 N, Delta, UT. Friends may call Monday evening, 7-8 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 S Center Street, Delta, Utah, and at the church Tuesday, 9:30-10:40 am. Interment at Sutherland, Utah Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Perpetual Education Fund or a charity of your choice in Rodger’s name

Published Obituaries: KUTV Website, Utah Tributes.com, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Millard County Chronical Progress (For a week or two).

Then I’ve added a portion of the Guest found on the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune to document the remarks made by others about my dad and messages to my mom and our family.* This is just a portion of them up until May 20, 2008.

Deseret News/Salt Lake Tribune Guest Book

for Dr. Rodger Lorin Scoville

May 20, 2008

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family Mary. I remember the Scoville’s from years gone by when our family lived in Raymond. May Father in Heaven Comfort each of you at this most difficult time.
With Friendship and Love,
Mary (McGilvary/Hancock) Phillips (Murray, UT)

May 19, 2008

Mary and family,

It was such a great surprise to see you and Rodger at your “Aunt Illa’s” (my next door neighbor) a few months ago. I was saddened when Illa told me that Rodger was ill.

You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely, Michelene Jex
Michelene Jex (Salt Lake City, UT)

May 19, 2008

Our family loved Rodger and will miss knowing he is in Delta and available for Gibb reunions and family connections. We loved your visit in March 19th, and lasting memories of Rodger and his love for genealogy. Ronald sends his love and Marilyn and Lorraine and I will attend the funeral on Tuesday. We love you Mary and pray you will find peace in your home and with your children.

Aunt Ila Gibb (Ken)
Ila Gibb (Salt Lake City, UT)

May 19, 2008

Dear Mary:

I was so saddened to hear of Rodger’s illness and passing. I have so many fond memories of his parents and your family.

Please accept our condolenses and know that you are in our prayers.

Love,
Barbara Gibb Bell and family (San Clemente, CA)

May 19, 2008

Dear Family

Sorry on Lost of Roger. He was Great man. It was fun say to Hi to him Angels Are Watching. He was my
Neighbor down the Street. Love Jenny Timothy

Jenny Timothy (Delta, UT)

May 18, 2008

Dear Mary and Family,

Kind thoughts and sympathies are sent across the miles from North Carolina to all of you. May the love of friends and family always be a source of comfort to you. Truly a handsome picture of Rodger, looks like when we were all together at Mat and Amie’s wedding in Colorado.

Love and hugs to all of you,
Naomi and Ron Levine (Weaverville, NC)

May 18, 2008

Dear Mary and Family,

Just want to say how much we will miss Roger he was a great and wonderful guy. Mary you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. Lots of hugs.

Love Jennifer Wilkes Hickman and the kids.
Jennifer Hickman (Delta, UT)

It was wonderful to so many familiar and new faces as we spoke to those who knew my dad and a common refrain that I heard over and over again. “Your father was a good man.” “He helped me so much.” At the family history center, chiropractic office, fire department, people felt that this was the least they could do for such a wonderful man. I love you, Dad!

Additional comments have been made on my previous blog post about my father’s passing. Check them out, friends from Provo and Delta, and cousins. Another section with a comment from the Pruitt’s.

We’ve received flowers, food that has taken care of us for days, many cards and notes, visits. It has been wonderful. Thank you.

As I posted yesterday, my dad was headed downhill. I know I have let many know of my dad’s turn for the worse. Thank you for your kind words. I am sad to say that my dad passed this morning about 7am. We are happy that he didn’t suffer long when he’d lost consciousness.

Thank you for your prayers. The funeral will be on Tuesday morning at 11 AM if you can make it. It will be in Delta, UT at the intersection of 2nd North and 3rd West in Delta.

Many wonderful friends of my mom and dad have come by both before and after my dad’s passing to wish us well. They have confirmed for us the legacy of love, faith, and service that my father is leaving behind for us as family and posterity.

May we keep the faith and return to our roots as we came into this world.

Good News: I wanted to let you all know that I’m staying in Provo for at least another year if not more because I just started a full-time job at a wilderness therapy program in Lehi, UT.

Not-so-exciting/down right sad news: Also on a sad note for those that may not have heard a recent update about my dad. He is deteriorating quickly. He may last a few more days but he cannot eat because the cancer tumor has blocked his intestine completely and he hasn’t been able to for the last week. The IV has been removed and he is using the pain medication and nausea meds to help alleviate much discomfort. This has progressed so much more quickly than I anticipated. He pretty much is unable to get out of bed and is getting a bit incoherent.

It is kind of sad to see the man you grew up idolizing so sick and you just want to see him happy again. Although he is amazingly not complaining and continues to be patient as the cancer progresses.

A few things to rember: Grandpa was very tender to our children. He loved them and was always willing to show it and was excited to see them.

Even at this delicate time he is always trying help the family yo be happy and content. He expressed his testimony to me about the most important thing that we can pass on to our children and families is our testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve been amazed at the extent for good that my dads influence has extended. So many people have comee to visit and let us knopw how much they love our dad and mom. He trully is a ‘giant’ in Delta. He leaves a legacy of love, service, family, persistence, dedication, faithfulness, strong, happy, content, lover of people.

I am proud to be his son. I am grateful for the open arms that he has always extended to me, my wife Marlene, and our 3 kids: Oscar, Lily, and Henry.

I wanted to document here my love for him. I also wanted to express joy in having been able to attend many general priesthood meetings and meals with him. I was able to eat his last meal with him and I’m thankful to have seen him happy and not hungry at that moment. Also he came to my last priesthood session with me.

He also attended Oscar’s first T-ball game and I know he was in pain but he went anyway and held Oscar, Lily, and Henry and was able to tell them he loved them very much. He was so willing to say ‘I love you.’

I hope in some way I can follow in his footsteps.

I love you, Dad.

When we lived in California, I didn’t know the purpose of my decision to leave the PhD program and just complete the Masters Degree, despite the numerous hurdles that needed to be overcome to actually finish the degree with an additional 28 or so credits on top of what other masters students needed to complete because LLU wants you to feel obligated to then finish out the PhD. My initial desire was to save the financial cost that I would garner if I stayed and finished. I am glad that our Heavenly Father knows us and what is best for us if we will follow and listen to his counsel. I have come to more fully believe the scripture found in Jacob 4: 10.

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

We need to seek to fulfill his will and he will take care of us as is stated in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Matthew 5: 33 and 3 Nephi 3: 33.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Now I am so grateful that we moved back to Utah so that our family ties were closer with my family. Our kids know my family, especially Grandma and Grandpa Scoville. Now that things have come to light that he is ill and that they’ve estimated a short time for the disease to attack his body and ravage his body during the remaining days of his earthly experience. I know the Lord has his hand in our lives and many times when we don’t know or understand particularly why things happen the way they do.

Oscar and Lily have been so blessed by the fact that we’ve moved back to Utah. They constantly ask if Grandma or Grandpa Scoville or if Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer are coming to visit or if we are going to visit them.

As my internship comes to start and I’ll be staying here I can honestly say that things are great and that I am content to let the Lord guide and direct us as we go. I am excited to work in the wilderness again this summer.

What prompted this post was the fact that I read a post by Marlene a few days ago and another by her friend Liz Campbell talking about the life of a lady who passed away in our ward, Rozann Dean. I marvel at the amazing lives that go on around us that we never know or see within the tiny, narrow, scope of our vision of people. We are often so narrow-minded and concerned about what “I” need and less about “others” needs. Life is an amazing gift that is given to us to explore and develop and become like unto our father in heaven. I’ve always believed that my father was an example for me to follow. Now I know that we all make mistakes and don’t do things perfectly but I have always known that my father and mother cared for me, even during my mistakes and struggles. I am grateful to know that my father is an example for me to follow to try to be more like our father in heaven.

I am also grateful for the example of the Savior who through his sacrifice and lived-life became perfect like unto the father. As we read in Matthew 5: 48 and then in 3 Nephi 12: 48. You see what Christ says prior to his death and post-resurrection that he was different and perfected through the resurrection. He was perfect so he didn’t personally need the atonement but he did that for us.

Matthew 5: 48

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

3 Nephi 12: 48 from the Beattitudes while Christ was teaching the Sermon on the Mount.

48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

I have fond memories of my childhood with my father. I remember many Delta City Fire Departments out at the Res (swimming, eating BBQ, skiing, and riding wave-runners). I even remember getting in some crazy accidents on them but we had a great time. Although now in my old age I’m not quite so fearless and adventurous as maybe I once was. (I did have a good time going downhill in Moab a few weeks ago.)

I also remember the time he sat me down to talk to me about stealing $3 from the office while I cleaned the office. I thought I needed the money and that he wouldn’t miss it, but I am grateful that he tried to guide and teach me to do what was right. I must have been 10 years old. I can’t remember.

I shouldn’t forget the “unforgettable” and “infamous” walking vacuum cleaner that I had taken from me when I was carrying it home from the office. I left it by my bike at “the store” or Thriftway in Delta and then when I came out it was gone. It was no where to be found; however, later that night my dad said he saw someone walking down the street with a vacuum cleaner that looked like ours but assumed that ours was safe with me. I remember working to pay that off.

I remember paying off the money owed for the windshield that I broke while throwing snowballs at cars after church at a friend’s farewell. Tim Nielson’s little old 80′s style mustang. Dad did all the work to have it replaced and then I payed him back for the windshield.

I remember the swim meets and water polo games he came to with my mom. I have always appreciated his involvement in my life.

I remember deer hunting with Uncle Stewart and Dad and Jim. We rarely ever got anything but I got to hike around and when I was older got to carry around my own gun and got to sit and watch for deer and do my best to see if I couldn’t find and shoot a deer. I was always scared to shoot because I didn’t want to hit anyone else that might have been crouched down and hunting like myself. I was always so bored and cold.

Thanks for the many great memories, Dad. Let’s keep making them.

This has been a great week. We loved Conference weekend. There were several talks that really struck me and inspired me. I loved the Priesthood session. I was able to attend with my father, a friend from the ward and a friend of his came along as well. I loved President Uchtdorf, President Eyring, and President Monson’s talks. I also enjoyed hearing Elder Bednar’s talk on Sunday (improving our prayers to be more meaningful and effective).

The kids and I took a walk around the neighborhood and took some pictures. Here are some photos we took at an old LDS meetinghouse. I’ve wanted to take pictures for awhile. It is on 500 West 200 North in Provo. It is now Discover Academy (a school for troubled youth — I think). Anyone else know?

Mom and Dad came up for Saturday afternoon and evening so that Dad could come to the session with me. It was nice. I enjoyed having him there. Maybe we’ll be lucky and I’ll get the privilege of having Dad and Oscar with me at the same time; however, I don’t think that will be likely since Oscar is only 5 years old.

We bought some bunk beds this weekend and we started to paint them. We’ll have to show some pictures. The person we bought them had painted them halfway from red to white. It looked funny so we decided to paint them all white. Which is taking a few layers of paint. I think maybe one more good paint job. I did another this morning but I think we need one more. It will be nice to have them up. I know Oscar and Lily are excited about having them up (hopefully Oscar doesn’t fall from the top bunk too much).

Other news from the week: we are planning our trip to Disneyland for April 25th to May 2nd. We are going with Marlene’s mom and it should be a great time. I hope that Rachel can get away and come with us. Also we are looking forward to the Scoville Family Reunion in Richfield. We should plan a day of fishing or hiking as family. I know Marlene doesn’t want us (guys) to be gone exclusively on the 4-wheelers and (the ladies) get to watch the kids.

I am almost done with classes here at the Y. My last semester. I am excited. I still have to finish these classes, my comps, my dissertation prospectus and defense and then hopefully officially graduate in April 2009.

I am thinking that we’ll be staying around here for the next year doing my internship. If things can be arranged to work for one of the companies I worked for last summer I think I’ll be staying here.

Henry has passed his 2 month checkup. He is growing and happy. Here are some nice little pictures of him. Oscar and Lily love him (to death) almost. Or least he needs lots of space when they are around smothering him with loves, kisses and hugs. Big H (Henry) is a whopping 12 pounds and 6.5 ounces and 23 inches long. He is a beast compared to our two other kids when they were 2 months old. I’ll have to find some pictures and put them up.

Oscar at around 2 months. He looks so skinny. Marlene will have to comment and tell us his weight and height as I can’t find it and can’t remember. He was 6 lbs 11 ounces when he was born and 19.5 inches long. Then at the two month check-up he was 8 lbs and 21 inches long. Big difference.

Lily seemed to be health and okay at this time, but she also was born 6 pounds 9 ounces. (Mar found from our baby book for her that she was 12 pounds 6 ounces and 22 inches long). Wow! Just about identical to Big H. We’re hoping the trend continues well after the 3 month that he continues to gain.

The weight for both Oscar and Lily normalized and stabilized over time and now they seem to fit in with their peers, but their is so much pressure when they are young to make sure they are growing and developing in weight and height as they should.

In MFT School News:

I presented two posters at a BYU Research Conference, Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference last week. It went well. I’ll link my posters here.

Perceived and Used Work Flexibility and Work-Family Fit: Personal, Workplace, and Marriage-Family Vitality Outcomes

Costs of Treating Anxiety Disorders: A Structural Equation Model for Individual versus Conjoint Therapies

Let me know if you have any feedback.

Dr. Crane just sent his to me. How many kids can you take on? If you so dare, you can see how many you kids you’d fight.
14

And I haven’t even mentioned it but what about the NCAA Final Four games last Saturday. Total surprise by both teams that lost. I thought North Carolina and UCLA would win and play much better. I hope that Memphis plays well tonight.

**Note at 10pm (Memphis almost won in regulation. I thought they had it, but Kansas tied the game and won in overtime. Excellent game. Proof: That it’s not over until the fat lady sings (or in-other-words, until the buzzer sounds). Never give up. Persistence.

We’ve been enjoying Eli Stone, especially since Lost hasn’t been on the air for a few weeks. You can watch many of the episodes for Eli Stone at the ABC website that I linked above. You can also see all the episodes of Lost at the above link from all 4 seasons, thus far.

We had a great visit to my parents last weekend for Easter. First off, Marlene and the kids went down on Saturday and were able to play and rest while Juliette and family played with Oscar and Lily. And Juliette loves holding Henry, as you can see below.

Marlene and the kids were also able to get to know and play with Uncle Earl and Aunt Celanie, Uncle Bob and Aunt Jane, Aunt Mary Ann, and Uncle Stewart and Aunt Gail. Stewart and Gail returned home before I got to see them, but then I arrived on Sunday morning after going to Moab to ride mountain bikes with my cousins, Dave and Rob Patterson. We really had a great time riding. Then I went to Spencer and Jonene’s in Richfield to caught a ride over to Delta with them on Sunday morning. Spencer and I had a good time trying to fix a problem with his sprinklers (didn’t fix it but Spencer did a few days later).

I then went to Delta on Sunday morning with Spencer and family. We arrived in time to go to church and we were able to see Grandpa Rodger Scoville give a talk on the Holy Ghost and the influence that we can let it have on our lives. (Dad (or anyone in attendance) you can comment in more detail on your talk if you like).

Here is a picture taken on Sunday evening before our kids went down to bed with their Aunts and Uncles and Grandma and Grandpa Scoville. From left – Front row (Aunt Celanie Scoville, Uncle Earl Scoville [holding Henry], Henry Scoville, Oscar Scoville, Aunt Jane Milner [holding Lily], Lily Scoville, Uncle Bob Milner). Back Row (Aunt Mary Ann Lewis, Grandma Mary Scoville, and Grandpa Rodger Scoville).

We watched Dan in Real Life with the family and it was a lot of fun. We laughed and laughed. Good show and soundtrack if anyone is interested in a funny and fairly moral movie.