John Robert “Bob” Droubay passed away peacefully at his home in Erda after a short battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 2, 1930 in his childhood home in Erda to John R. and Annie Shields Droubay. He grew up on the family farm milking cows, raising sheep and tending crops. He graduated from Tooele High School in 1948 and married Bonney K. Christiansen, his high school sweetheart, later that year. Bob lived most of his life in the Tooele Valley with exception of the years he spent in the Delta area farming and working a large dairy farm. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fulfilling numerous callings throughout his life. Bob was an active part of his community, serving as Tooele County Republican Party Chairman.
He also served on the Grantsville Soil Conservation Board for more than 20 years. Bob lived his life always on the go. He was never content to sit. He always wanted to be working and doing something whether it was plowing a field, working with cows, tending to the chickens or fixing a fence. One of his favorite activities was to teach his underage kids and grandkids to drive while working on the farm. He made sure that he enjoyed life to the end as he never quit working. He was even out fixing a fence on Friday morning. Working on the farm is what he loved. Sunday night just before he passed his parting words were “I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go,” and so he did. Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bonney, and children Robert (Jill) Droubay of Delta, Scott (Jolene) Droubay of Erda, daughter-in-law Wendy Droubay of Erda, Mark (Lisa) Droubay of Alpine and Autumn (Brent) Olson of Erda. He leaves behind 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him is his brother, Wendell (Geraldine) Droubay, and sisters Bertha (Dwight) Clark and Merlyn (George) Barrus. Preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ruth and Kathleen and also by his son, John. Funeral services will be held April 19 at 11 a.m. in the Erda Ward Building, 134 E. Erda Way. Friends may call prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A viewing will be held at Tate Mortuary in Tooele from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 18.