Lifelong Carbon County resident and WWII veteran, Remo Peter Etzel passed away on September 16, 2017 in Orem, Utah. He was born on February 22, 1921 to Henry and Catherine Ariotti Etzel in Castle Gate, Utah. He was the older brother of Elivera (deceased), Alfred (deceased), Ernest (deceased) and Robert H. Etzel.
Remo grew up in Castle Gate and Helper. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting with his father and brothers on Gentry Mountain or deep in an Avintaquin canyon.
He graduated from Carbon High School and went on to earn a degree from Carbon College in 1941. He worked in the coal mines of Carbon and Emery Counties as a master machinist that allowed him to provide for his family. After a long and satisfying career Remo retired as a maintenance superintendent.
Remo and Shirlee Doreen Robertson were married on October 26, 75 years 9 months and 23 days ago. Their posterity includes: three daughters Connie, Janis, and Kathryn, six grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He was delighted when his grandson KJ graduated with a degree in welding, an art they both loved.
Remo spent two years fighting for his country as a member of General Patton’s Third Army, 80th Division, 2nd Battalion, 317th Infantry, Fox Company. While serving, he became a sergeant and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his leadership and bravery. During his tour of duty, he met Jim Gentry; they remained friends throughout their lives. Remo, Shirlee, their daughters and their great granddaughter Vallarie, were able to participate in the 65th Battle of the Bulge Anniversary Tour in Europe. Since then, he often reminisced about his return to the battlefields of Luxemburg and Belgium. His favorite wartime movie was Stalag 17 starring William Holden.
He and Shirlee began golfing in 1957. They played many courses, and he was fortunate to have made not one but two holes-in-one. Remo enjoyed the Carbon Country Club Tuesday Morning Men’s League where he met fellow duffers from throughout the state of Utah.
His love for snowmobiling began in 1970. At the age of 95, he took his last ride with Connie and her family.
Remo never gave up on a project whether it was reversing the wheels on his walker, so they would not hit the door casings, or, for the last five years, being determined to replace the pull start with an electric start on his red Firecat 700 snowmobile. More often than not his waking and sleeping hours were spent thinking about a specific part that he could modify or build.
Remo lived a full life, had few regrets, was an honest man, and believed in our country’s obligation to protect our freedoms.
Friends may visit his wife and family Friday, September 22, 2017 from 11:00AM until 12:30PM prior to his funeral services at 1:00PM at the Price Fourth Ward LDS Chapel, ( 545 East 400 North.) Military Honors by the Price American Legion at the Price City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Primary Children’s Hospital Foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome to share memories at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.