Robert Elmer Voigt

Robert Elmer Voigt, 90, of Sacramento CA, passed away at home early July 8th 2023, surrounded by his children. He was born to Bernhard Johann Voigt and Alice Taylor on October 15, 1932, in Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah, the oldest of three children. He graduated from Sacramento High School, served four years in the Air Force, and married Vesta Nelle Byrd in 1955. Bob is survived by his sister Clara Jean Voigt Roper, and his eight children: Lisa (Eric) Stevens of Elk Grove, Julie (Thomas) Seymour of Bluffdale Utah, Allison (Ray) Hamaker of Sacramento, Rebecca Whipple of Sacramento, Elizabeth (Jack) Schubert of Casa Grande Arizona, Margaret (Gene) Munger of Fair Oaks, Sarah (Lee) Burt of Natomas, and Thomas Voigt of Rancho Cordova. Bob and Vesta had 34 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren.
Bob worked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture as a chemist in pesticide residue for 34 years, riding his bicycle along the American River Bike Trail to the laboratory downtown. He was known to pull a piece of fennel from the plants that grew along the river, chewing it as he rode home, then giving a very licorice-laden breathy “hello!” to us when he came in the door. He was talented in photography, capturing a lifetime of images. When he retired, he invested serious time labeling the family slides, marking when the photo was taken, and who is in the shot. One of our treasures is a beautiful photo he took of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia where he went to teach pesticide safety to the country’s crop-dusting farmers. His artistic eye was also evident in the beauty of his garden. He loved animals, keeping dogs and cats over the years as pets, and watching and feeding birds. Bob sang tenor in the church choir and enjoyed popular and world music, filling the house with it, and encouraging his children to sing and play various instruments. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, filling support roles like Stake Clerk, and serving two missions with Vesta in New Jersey and Utah. They also served together for many years in the Oakland Temple and the Sacramento Temple. His life was lived in faith. Robert was clever, funny, kind, and loyal. He was the very best example of patience and generosity. 
Viewing ceremony will be held Tuesday, July 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park, 9189 E Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove CA.  The graveside service with a dedication prayer and burial will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday July 19th at East Lawn. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3001 Wissemann Dr, Sacramento 95826. A Zoom link will be provided for those who are not able to attend in person.