Stephen Edward Robinson Obituary (1947

Stephen Edward Robinson passed away in his sleep early Sunday, June 17, 2018. He died at home. Steve was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend. He was a lover of truth, literature and beauty and was always most at home in the mountains. He was born May 23, 1947 to Edward Brown and Myrtle Anna (Egan) Robinson in Los Angeles, California. Steve was a powerful and passionate defender of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout his life. A life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Steve served in the Northern States Mission from 1966 to 1968. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Brigham Young University. During his Master’s studies at BYU he met and married the love of his life, Janet Bowen, and together they had six children. Steve earned a PhD in Biblical Studies from Duke University, and taught religion at several Eastern US schools, including Hampden-Sydney College and Lycoming College. He became the first LDS scholar tenured in religion at a non-LDS school. In 1986, Steve began teaching religion at BYU, where he remained until his retirement, serving six years as the Department Chair of Ancient Scripture. Steve loved teaching. He was really good at it. He had a gift for recognizing and illuminating truth. He especially rejoiced in the simplicity of the Savior’s message, and loved helping people translate that message into a language that they could understand. Thousands of students and readers have been uplifted and influenced by Steve’s unique perspectives and insights into scripture and Gospel principles. Steve is the author of numerous books as well as academic and devotional articles. He is perhaps best known among Latter Day Saints for Believing Christ: The Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News, a ground-breaking work on the subject of grace and the atonement of Jesus Christ. Special thanks to those translators who have helped put this into various languages, inspiring many worldwide. Steve is survived by his wife, Janet; their six children, Sarah (Chris) Eddy, Becky (Brian) Thomas, Emily (Ryan) Pattee, Mike (Heidi) Robinson, Mary (Paul) Lamas, and Leah Robinson; his sisters Lynda (Dennis) Blair and Karen (Jim) Stoddard: his brother, Reid (Candee) Robinson; and 18 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved sister Sandra. We are sure there was a joyous reunion on the other side when he arrived. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 22, 2018 at the Grandview 17th Ward Chapel, 1122 Grand Ave., Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 E. Center Street, Thursday, June 21 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Friday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Church Humanitarian fund, https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.