1935 – 2012
Joseph Barnard Romney returned to his Heavenly Father, surrounded by his wife and children, on the 6th of October 2012, in Provo, UT, after becoming ill at his mountain home on the upper Provo River. Joe was born on July 20, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Junius Stowell Romney and Ruth Stewart Romney. He attended East High School and was a graduate of the University of Utah. Joe served a mission for the LDS church in Great Britain. He later served as an officer in the army. He played the cello in the Utah Symphony Orchestra where he met Florence Black, whom he married. They have four children, one of whom died soon after birth. Joe received a J.D. and also a Ph.D. degree from the University of Utah and practiced law for about two years. Following that, he began his teaching career in history at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, where he became a full professor. Joe continued teaching in Rexburg, Idaho at Ricks College, later to become BYU-Idaho, where he taught religion, philosophy, and cello. There he was also Associate Director and Director of the Honors Program. Joe loved spending time with family at his beloved mountain home where he rode horses, went fishing, hiking, and spent quality time with his wife, children, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He also shared his love of good music with his family and friends through choir, teaching cello, and participating in various musical groups. Joe loved working in the yard and making it beautiful. He helped start a frozen yogurt business in Rexburg that allowed him to work with and eventually pass on the business to one of his sons. Joe was a “people person” and was known for his hard work, quick smile, and constant service to any and all that needed help.