W. Richard Stucki

Former Castle Valley resident, William Richard Stucki died Wednesday February 27, 2008, in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 79.



Richard was born August 21, 1928 in Salt Lake City to William T. and Lucy Marie (Sorenson) Stucki. As a boy, he learned the value of work by accepting various jobs, including tending children, picking fruit in an orchard, repairing and polishing furniture, and making deliveries to various grocery stores and restaurants. These early jobs sparked an interest in developing these skills in later years.



He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nova Scotia, Canada, from 1947-1949 and graduated in 1951 from the University of Utah in Biology. He married Marjorie Curtis on July 30, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple. They reared a family of eight children. After spending many years in the retail clothing industry, Richard and Margie decided their family needed a change. They filled a truck with goats, chickens, a pig, and all their belongings and moved to Castle Valley at the foot of LaSal mountains. Richard and Margie fulfilled a life-long dream of living in the country and building a family farm. Though some thought this a rash decision, Richard and Margie always said this was the best decision they ever made for their family. Their farm and the experiences they shared there tied their family together in an unbreakable bond. They lived on the farm for 29 years planting, pruning, gardening, and raising various animals. Richard and Margie owned a restaurant and bakery in Moab well-known for its delicious and nutritious breads. He further developed his carpentry and wood-working skills, which helped him establish a bed & breakfast in Moab, Utah. And through many years, while in Castle Valley, Richard drove a school bus between Castle Valley and Moab. He and his wife served in the Monticello Temple where he worked as a sealer. Later, they filled another mission together for the Church in Winnsboro, Louisiana in 2001-2003. Following their mission, due to complications caused by cancer, they left their beloved home in the country and moved to the rural Springville, Utah in 2005. Richard continued gardening at his home with his wife Margie.



He filled numerous Church positions throughout his life and found real joy in serving people. He often said that he tried to emulate the example of the Savior in word and deed and was dedicated to His cause. All who knew him were lifted by his radiant smile and friendship.



Richard willingly faced many challenges. When recounting his numerous blessings, he wrote: "As sweet to me and powerful in my life as these things have been, nothing brought more peace, and hope, and joy than has come from discovering the marvelous qualities of the Savior and all the gracious, loving and merciful things He has done for me and my loved ones. I cannot in any way repay Him, or properly thank Him. But this I can do, and seek with all my heart to do, and that is stand as a witness of the goodness of the Father in giving us such a leader and friend as the Savior."



He is survived by wife, Marjorie Stucki of Springville, Utah; eight children, 38 grand children, 11 great-grand children; and sisters Margaret Christensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Barbara Anderson of Pleasant Grove, Utah.



Richard was preceded in death by his parents and sister Bonnie Gudmundson of Bountiful, Utah.



Funeral Services are Saturday, March 1 at 2pm Springville West Stake Center, 996 W Center Street in Springville, Utah. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.



Thanks to the many people, groups, institutions, and in particular Jon M. Huntsman who have demonstrated concern by establishing a facility where those who are suffering from cancer receive kindness, respect, dignified treatment, and hope.



The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, well-wishers donate to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Donations may be made online at http://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org or by mail using the following form: http://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org/pdfs/HCF_Form_Final.pdf