Melvin Moreno Robins

Melvin Moreno Robins, 92, of Provo, UT, passed away July 15, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Nephi, Utah, on October 27, 1931, the son of Melvin Henry and DeLoise Leavitt Robins. He lived in Hinckley, UT, his first 16 years then Bountiful for 11 years, attending Davis High School. After serving 2 1/2 years in the Mexico Mission, he married LaVinia Argyle on July 5, 1957. Together they lived in Salt Lake City for 3 years and Seattle for 2 years for medical training, then in Provo since 1963.

Moreno felt that his major success in life was rearing an honorable family. His wife, LaVinia, and their 5 children, Marisa, Kipp, Melita, LaDonn, and Tanya each knew that his family was his top priority. Even with his busy schedule, he was able to attend his children's many activities and support them in all they did. He was forever building their confidence. His value of education inspired them in their educational pursuits. As a young missionary in Mexico, his love for sharing the gospel transformed him. He was thrilled that his children were able to have similar missionary experiences, serving in Michigan, Japan, Chile, Mexico and Spain. 

 After graduation from University of Utah Medical School, he completed a Pediatric residency at University of Washington and University of Utah. He practiced pediatrics from 1963 to 2004 in Provo caring for 11,000 newborns, 4,278 hospitalized patients and 240,000 patients at his office. He served on the committee that established a relative value scale which helped equalize payments to medical doctors, wrote a paper which helped set standards that reduced the numbers of unnecessary tonsillectomies, and co-authored a protocol which saved thousands of newborns from unnecessary hospital care and medication for suspected neonatal sepsis. He also led in the formation of Utah Valley Pediatrics. He had 8 papers published in medical journals. He served as Medical Director of the Volunteer Care Clinic in Provo from 2004 until 2017. 

 In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as missionary in the Mexico Mission (1950 to 1953), Young Men President, Bishop's counselor, Bishop, Scoutmaster, 3 times on high councils, Provo MTC branch president, President of the Mexico Guadalajara Mission (1984 - 1987), President of the Guatemala MTC (1996 - 1998), and Teacher's Quorum advisor. During his service, he presided over 2,723 missionaries and knew each of them by name. He loved people and he loved bringing them to the Lord. His love for the Latin people was apparent and his service to them was greatly valued.

 A lifetime scouter, he was an Eagle Scout, Advancement Chairman for Provo District and, during 21 years of scouting in Edgemont 7th ward, helped 142 boys receive their Eagle award. He received the Provo Peak Award and the Silver Beaver Award. He took 5 separate groups of Eagle Scouts to Mexico.

 An animal lover, Moreno had a herd of 100 cows (which he fed at noon - wearing his white shirt and tie) and for 17 years his children competed in American Junior Quarter Horse shows winning hundreds of trophies.

 As an athlete, he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion in high school. Later he played racquetball until he was in his 80s. A sports enthusiast, he was President of the Provo Downtown Coaches Club (now called Cougar Club) and seldom missed athletic events at BYU and Timpview High School. He never missed wrestling matches when his son or grandsons were competing.

 He is survived by his wife of 67 years, his five children, Marisa (Kevin) Nielsen, Mesa, AZ, Kipp (Tammy) Robins, Orem, UT, Melita (David) Hill, Farmington, UT, LaDonn (Marlin) Christianson, Provo, UT, Tanya (Doug) Lee, Ephraim, UT, 34 grandchildren, 83 great grandchildren (ages 15 and younger), and his siblings, Sune, DeAnn, and Dan. He and LaVinia also had six young people live in their home for an extended time - Arlan Riggs, Steve Robins, Janice Biakeddy, Steve Bird, Aytana Pomar and Justin Norris. 

The family expresses gratitude to Hector Trevino who was a great friend to Moreno and helped him with the cattle, computers, cars, cell phones, etc. The family also thanks Lina Hansen, full-time caregiver for the past year, enabling Moreno and LaVinia to stay in their home where they felt most comfortable.:

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 27th, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Edgemont 7th ward building, 555 E 3230 N. Provo, UT. A viewing will be held Friday evening, July 26 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Sundberg Olpin Mortuary located at 495 South State Street, Orem, Ut and on Saturday prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or your favorite charity. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend the services will be streamed starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27th via Facebook Live at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/sundbergolpinfuneralhome