Robert Wayne Ward, age 56, passed away in Chandler, Ariz., on Sept. 8, 2016. The fifth of six children of Don and Janie Ward, Bob was born in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 25, 1959.

Being military, the family moved to Virginia and Illinois before settling in Oak Harbor when Bob was in the 2nd grade. Active in Boy Scouts and Sea Explorers, Bob graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1977. He completed a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Yugoslavia zone of the Vienna, Austria, district in 1982. He attended Brigham Young University, and transferred to and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in elementary education in 1988.

At BYU he met the love of his life, Michele Sawyer, and married her May 12, 1984, in the Mesa, Ariz., LDS Temple. They settled in Chandler, and Bob taught at Arredondo and Laird Elementary schools for 20 years. He was a gifted teacher, adored by his students and colleagues. Most recently, he was working as a property manager for Heywood Community Management and a small business owner.

Bob and Michele were blessed with five children: Sarah, Robby, Julia, Jonathan and Lydia. His family was his pride and joy and he loved any time spent with them, whether in work or in play.

Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including as a counselor in the bishopric, executive secretary, clerk, Cub Master and young men’s president.

Although Bob sometimes yearned for the cool evergreen forests and deep blue waters of Washington state, he became a faithful Arizonan, eventually rooting for the Cardinals to defeat the Seahawks. He was an all-around sports fan and eagerly awaited BYU Football season.

Bob loved Oreos, watching football, playing basketball, the Beatles, BYU, his family and his church (not necessarily in that order). He was kind, sweet and funny. His superpower was to be able to name the musical artist and year of release of any pop/rock song, as well as to identify where he was when he first heard that song.

Bob was preceded in death by his father LCDR Donald S. Ward (USN Ret). He is survived by his wife Michele; daughters, Sarah (Andrew) Schomburg, Julia and Lydia; sons Robby and Jonathan; mother Mary Jane Kruming Ward; brother William (Jill); and sisters Lynn, Jean (Dave) Marshall, Donna Sue Holly and Janice (Toni Taft); as well as many nephews, nieces and extended family who loved him very much.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to donate to Laird Elementary School, where Bob spent so much time doing what he loved. Make checks payable to the school; the address is 1500 N. Scovel Street, Tempe, AZ, 85281.