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Portrait of Robert Louis Maxwell
Son•Husband•Father•Papa•Chief

Robert Louis Maxwell

September 22, 1971 – March 12, 2023
Lived 51 years
Bloomfield Cemetery · Bloomfield, NM
Life story

Robert Louis Maxwell, born September 22, 1971, in Frankfurt Germany to Keith and Cathy Maxwell. After Keith left the military, the family settled in Enoch Utah where Robert grew up. In 1993, Rob met the love of his life, Tara Lee Bond, in Cedar City Utah. They were later married on March 17, 1994, in the St George Utah temple. After Tara completed her degree, the couple moved to Bloomfield New Mexico. This became their permanent home. In 1998, they welcomed their first child, Austin Robert Maxwell. Austin was followed by McKinzie Lee Maxwell in 2001 and Kaytie-Ann Maxwell in 2006. An Eagle Scout himself, he spent 10+ years as the Scout Master serving countless youth for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a youth, Robert loved fast cars. This need for speed continued through his adult life where he passed on his love to his son. Together they raced at, and volunteered for, Aztec Speedway for 10 years. In 1998 Robert joined the San Juan County Fire Department District 9. In 1999 he was elected Chief of the Department, a position he held to his final day. Second only to his family, firefighting was Rob’s true love. Rob was beloved by many co-workers throughout his career. He worked in the oil field for 20 years, finishing his career with Harvest Midstream. He also taught Fire Science classes at San Juan Community College for 15 years. Sunday was Rob’s favorite day of the week because he could attend church in the morning and spend his afternoons watching NASCAR, or his beloved Kansas City Chiefs play football. His last football experience with his family was watching the Chiefs Win the Super Bowl. The thing Rob enjoyed doing the most was spending time with his family. Some of his favorite activities were camping, four-wheeling, racing, working on cars, or anything outdoors. In 2022, Rob became a grandpa, or “Papa Chief” as he was affectionately called! Being a grandpa was a job that fit him well. Axel Arnold Maxwell was the light of Rob’s life. Every time Papa Chief entered a room, Axel’s face lit up! He loved his Papa Chief! Rob is survived by his wife Tara Maxwell, his three children Austin (Riyanne), McKinzie, Kaytie-Ann, his grandson Axel, his parents Keith & Cathy Maxwell, and his mother-in-law Evelyn Ann Bond. Rob is preceded in death by his father-in-law William “Arnie” Bond.

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Photos
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Lifetime

The world Robert knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1971
Born September 22
1976
Robert was 5 when America celebrated its Bicentennial
1977
Robert was 6 when Star Wars opened in theaters
1982
Robert was 11 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1989
Robert was 18 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1991
Robert was 20 when the Soviet Union dissolved
1998
Robert was 27 when "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was published in America
2023
Passed away March 12, age 51
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Austin Maxwell 116w

Papa Chief & Grandson Axel

Just a Papa and his Grandson watching his favorite team: the Kansas City Chiefs

Photo shared by Austin Maxwell
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