Elden Verl Talbot died peacefully on 8 December 2021 in Bountiful, Utah, at the age of 89.  He was born 20 March 1932 to Albert Verl Talbot and La Verne Gibby in Riverdale, Utah, and spent his childhood in Idaho Falls, Idaho. While an undergraduate at the University of Utah he married Cara Sidney Stevenson. He earned a graduate degree in Architecture while simultaneously working to support his growing family.

After military service at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and Fort Lewis in Olympia, Washington, he returned to Salt Lake City where, for the next several decades, he practiced architecture, eventually becoming one of the principals at the firm of Montmorency, Hayes, and Talbot (now MHTN Architects). Among his colleagues throughout the West, he was distinguished – and is remembered still – for his attention to detail, his fiscal prudence, and above all his uncompromising integrity. Retirement brought him to his beloved St. George, where he indulged his passion for golf and, with his wife, reveled in the beauty of the landscape. Bereaved by her unexpected death in 1998, he later found companionship in marriage to Joyce Barrett, with whom he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Queensland, Australia. Not long after her death he returned to the Salt Lake area, where his final years centered on the lives of his children and grandchildren, many of whom lived nearby, including his beloved daughter Lori Smolka, who preceded him in death in 2019. In the last months of his life, he was honored by the American Institute of Architects for his lifetime of contributions to architecture in Utah and beyond.

His rectitude and moral seriousness belied a whimsical and impish sense of humor. He was guilty of the most atrocious dad-jokes and (except on the most solemn of occasions) could not resist a pun or witticism. From behind the steering wheel of the family car he would entertain his children – without their permission – with endless songs and ditties, which he belted out with the unselfconscious abandon of a man not overly burdened with musical talent. (These songs have been ingrained in the memory of his children and have now been passed down to the third and fourth generations.) He loved travel, organizing superb family vacations when the children were young, and, later, criss-crossing the globe with his wife. His relish for golf was legendary, and he took enormous pleasure from a good meal. Fastidiously thrifty, he was nevertheless extremely generous, quietly supporting family, friends, and strangers in time of need. For all these qualities he will be remembered with a smile and deep gratitude.

He is survived by his children: Michael (Kim) Talbot, Steven (Penny) Talbot, Sherry (Richard) Martini, and John (Sandy) Talbot; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and brothers: Blaine (Linda) and Duane (Sandy) Talbot. A daughter, Lori Smolka (Joseph) preceded him in death, as did a sister, Joyce Tocheri.

The family is grateful to the support given by faithful friends and skilled caregivers during his final months.

A memorial service will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, 17 December 2021 at the LDS chapel located at 2795 Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City.

A second memorial service will be held in St. George, Utah, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18 (prior visitation from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.) at Metcalf Mortuary, 300 West St. George Blvd. The service in St. George will be streamed live and can be accessed by clicking on the broadcast below. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days.

Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery.