Robert A. Rich

On January 05, 2017, our loving and devoted father, Robert A. Rich returned home to his Heavenly Father. He successfully fulfilled his earthly mission with honor, righteousness and integrity. He was born 90 years ago to Jeremiah and Wanda Lamar Alexander Rich on May 10, 1926 in Altonah, Utah. "Bob," as his close friends and family called him, was raised primarily in Nine Mile and attended school through the tenth grade both in Nine Mile and Price. Bob had numerous chores to do for his father on their farm in Nine Mile. It was a hard life, but a good life, for a young man to build character, learn responsibility and gain many useful skills to be used through out his life. On September 14, 1944, at the age of 18, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. He was decorated with a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, (which he was awarded 62 years after the fact),a Philippine Liberation Ribbon, a World War II Victory Medal, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, a Victory Medal and an Army of Occupational Medal. With an undying love and pride for his country, Bob received an honorable discharge in November 1946. He married Doris Merkley on December 10, 1946 and was blessed with 7 children. They later divorced. He started a new life, with the love of his life, Cleo Smuin Rich on September 1, 1967 and was blessed with 7 more wonderful step children. Their marriage was later solmonized in the Provo Utah Temple. Bob was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He and Cleo loved doing their work in the Provo and the Vernal temples which they did for many years. Bob was the patriarch of our family and he instilled such wonderful values and morals in each and every one of us, to teach us how to be with our heavenly father again. He never gave up on any of us and I'm sure he deserves to stand proud in front of our father in heaven today. At the age of 12 Bob started hunting and he has never stopped since. He became an avid hunter providing food for his family and many years were spent between Nine Mile and Blue Mountain where his children also gained a love of hunting but mostly making unforgettable memories with their father. Bob had a love for the great outdoors and enjoyed running the river, fishing and camping anytime he got the chance. He always looked forward to our family reuions that were held every year. It was a chance to see and visit the family that he held so dear to his heart. Bob Rich was never afraid of hard work. He worked in the oilfield all of his life as a welder, a machinist and the builder of refineries. After retirement, he went to work irrigating for Huber Ranches in Deep Creek, a job that he said many times he enjoyed immensely. A more intelligent or honorable man, you will never meet. There was nothing this great man could not accomplish when he set his mind to it. He is survived by daughters Brenda J Denman, Newfield, NY, W. Leanne (Leon) Noel, Grand Junction, CO, Kathryn K Simmons and sons Shayne D (Tammy) Rich, Jerry C Rich, all of Lapoint, UT, daughter-in-law Glenda D (Alan) Rich, Vernal, UT. Step children, Steve (Gloria) Paulson, SLC, UT, Glenda (Jim) Knight, SLC, UT, Ila Rae (Jim) Hogue,and Joyce (Claude) Sims, all of Vernal, UT, 20 grandchildren, numorus great-grandchildren and numorus great-great-grandchildren. Brother Lawrence D. "Buck" (Shirley) Rich, Roosevelt, UT and sister Delone (Vernon) Davis, Wellington, UT. Brother-in-law Macks Murray, Roosevelt, UT , numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cleo, two sons, Alan D and Robert H Rich , grandson Coulson A Rich, three stepsons; Jay, Robert and Larry Paulson, his parents, a brother, Charles Coulson Rich, sisters, Charlotte Rich, Geradine Murray and LaZon Allen. We all love and miss you, Daddy! The world sure seems empty without you in it, but Heaven is definately rejoicing to have you there! Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Lapoint LDS Chapel. A viewing for family and friends will be Monday evening from 6-8 pm at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary, Vernal, UT and on Tuesday at the chapel one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park with full Military Honors provided by American Legion and Utah National Guard, under the direction of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.