12/08/2023
This year was the 30th anniversary of The George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park. It was the brainchild of Ogden resident and influential member Dr. Robert (Bob) Marquardt with help from private donations and under the George S, and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Weber State University, and the city of Ogden the park came to life. Fourteen years later the Stewart Museum was added to showcase both outdoor and indoor skeletons of dinosaurs.
The park constantly works to ensure it is inspiring the newest generations of dinosaur lovers. Recently, it has highlighted sculptures featured in the upcoming Jurassic World movie trailer, including the Baryonyx walkeri and the Carnotaurus sastrei. For visitors of all ages, the timeless allure of dinosaurs rarely fails to spark the imagination — making the Dinosaur Park an ideal option for an afternoon of adventure.
According to the newspapers, "There were probably as many dinosaurs in Utah as there were in places elsewhere in the world." said Dr. Bob Marquardtm chairman of the Ogden River Parkway development committee.--Salt Lake Tribune 3/21/1993
The park opened with 27 life sized or nearly life sized dinosaurs on display. Each made up of concrete and fiberglass made from Tucson Ariz based Larson Co. Other exhibits made by the company are found in Vernal Utah, Osaka Japan, SeaWorld in California, The Denver Zoo, The Smithsonian and Disney theme parks.
The park opened just before the successful movie 'Jurassic Park' opened two months later. THis brought Dinosaurs back into popularity of more than just children but adults too.
Dr. Marquardt was born December 25, 1925 in Dayton Ohio, Bob was the youngest child of Willard H. and Enid Gilbert Marquardt. At a young age had a knack for business and went on to be a leader and business owner in our great state.
Bob was a huge believer in the importance of contributing to one''s community. Through his efforts, many projects came to life: Beus Pond Nature Park, Ogden River Parkway, MTC Park, George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, scholarships for business students at Weber State University, football stadium enhancements and athletic scholarships for Weber State, and the Enid Marquardt Art Contest at the Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Bob would be the first to say that none of his community work would have come to fruition without the countless volunteer hours and financial contributions made by the many friends and colleagues who helped him and Annette achieve these dreams.
He adopted the acronym “BIONIC” or Believe It or Not I Care. It was because he cared that he helped found the local chapter of Job Corps. He cared about young adults who had grown up in challenging circumstances. He cared about offenders who needed direction and encouragement to become successful, contributing members of society. He worked with the prison system and emphasized education and reform.
Dr. Robert L. Marquardt died at his home in Ogden, Utah on January 14, 2012 after a valiant 4 year fight with bone cancer.
