My Grandpa Mayne passed away last week (fascinating obituary below) at the age of 88. It was not a huge surprise as his health had been declining, but we thought he had at least another year in him. I was very close with my grandpa as he and grandma have always been very close with my mom and dad.

He built a cabin on Soldier Creek Reservoir which we’ve used as a family cabin my whole life and is one of my favorite places in the world. He and grandma also went on summer vacation with us every year in Sun Valley Idaho, my other favorite place on earth.

He taught me how to fish, to drive a boat, fix cars and how to be deeply interested in the amazing things of this world. Along with a few of my cousins (who shared wonderful memories), I was asked to share a few memories at grandpa’s funeral, so I will share a few of those here as well.

From engines, to mechanics, to electrical to architectural to technological, it all just made sense in his mind. It was like he had a deep understanding of everything he ever saw. He was so inquisitive. I would show him my latest gadgets, computers or new software programs and he was so genuinely interested in how they were built. You could see it in his eyes, he just want to to remove the screws, take stuff apart and see how it worked on the inside.

We had a special connection with our shared interest in computers and technology. Grandpa was in his 80’s and without any training, he built, repaired and upgraded computer hardware and software for friends and family. My dad once told me, “it’s not that grandpa is interested in fixing computers, it’s that he’s too cheap to buy new ones.” There’s some truth to that for sure. He was always scanning the ads for the best deal on a new DVD burner or RAM upgrades.
Not to mention, him buying a ink refill kit online that allowed him to inject ink into his empty, disposable cartridges as he would not have to buy new ones. I tried to convince him it was not worth all the mess and hassle, but he was certain it would save him a buck. (Grandpa had plenty of money, but apparently growing up in the depression makes people conserve money, and grandpa would rather give his extra money to his kids, and he sure did generously.)

He never went anywhere without his pocket protector full of pens and his notepad. He took notes on everything interested for use in later research or thought.

As much as the new, fast moving technology baffled him at times, he was never afraid to dive in and figure out how to do something.

He devised a contraption that allowed him to record his 8mm reel videos and slideshows to DVDs with annotation. He shot them into a box that mirrored them into a digital video camera which he plugged into a DVD recorder. He would play these old videos and annotate as they went, complete with an old 70’s microphone and background music playing on an old tape player. He burned copies for all his family and they are truly special.

He was 86 years old when he was doing this stuff and playing around with stuff that scares most older people off. He had an email address he checked regularly and loved to receive photos of grandkids. Of course he would always print them off and be out of yellow toner. He was the sweetest.

My dad would say, it’s not fair! Grandpa gets to eat all the same junk food I eat and he never gains a pound. It’s true, grandpa was the biggest chocolate lover in the world. It was fun to keep offering him more cake and ice cream at parties and he would continue to put it down.

My sweet wife Jana’s favorite memory was watching my dad and grandpa sit ont he couch together, telling stories and neither one knew exactly what the other one was talking about because (both being hard of hearing) they were both too stubborn to wear hearing aids.
She said, at least now, in heaven, they can hear what they are saying to each other.

He confirmed me a member of this LDS church in a blessing I will never forget. He was a brilliant, inspiring man, full of life and lived his life to the fullest. I will miss grandpa Mayne dearly.

Obituary posted in the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News

Rolland G. Mayne “Red” 1920 ~ 2008
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on October 9, 2008, in Taylorsville, Utah. He was born in a one-room cabin on February 25, 1920, in Malad, ID, to Mary Ada Lance and Joseph Guy Mayne. Red married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Ruth Ivy Oliver, on December 16, 1944 in Denver, Colorado. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. After losing his mother at a very young age, he was raised by Dr. Paul Richards and lived at the Bingham Canyon hospital. After graduating from Bingham High School, he attended the University of Utah and worked at Kennecott Copper. He graduated with honors from the American School of Aircraft Instruments and Electrical and worked for PAN American Airlines in NYC. While working at Pan Am, he studied Electrical Engineering at New York University. After moving back to SLC, he worked at Airport #2 as an A & E foreman for Skyway Flying Service. He then worked for Chevron Oil as a pipeline supervisor, where he retired after 34 years of service. He enjoyed all the challenges of his career and was proud, yet humble, of his many accomplishments.

Red served honorably in the US Air Corps during World War II. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he held a variety of leadership positions. Red was a life-long Democrat and took great pride in casting his mail-in ballot just two days prior to his passing. He enjoyed spending quality time with family and making countless memories at the cabin, which he and his wife built with pride. He had an adventurous and intricate mind and has now started his greatest adventure of all.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; three children, Connie (Craig) Webb, Shauna (Mike) Petersen, Terry Glover and daughter-in-law, Karen Mayne; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his son, Senator Ed Mayne; parents; siblings, Duke, Paul, June, Jack and Josie.
A prayer of love and comfort for dad’s angel, Ruth, for over 63 years of the endless love and care she gave to her eternal companion.

The family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors for all the love and concern expressed for our dear husband and father.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008, 12:00 noon at the Jordan Stake Center, 3650 W. 4700 S. Friends may call Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Rd. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Utah Diabetes Association, the Utah Cancer Association or to a charity of your choice in Red’s name.