David Richardson

Honoring the Life of David Earl Richardson

When the family's converted van-camper, sometimes known as the Faith-Mobile, broke down on vacations (which happened often), David Earl Richardson would say to his children, "What an adventure!"

And what an adventure his life has been! Born January 27, 1933, to David Anthony Richardson and Elaine Earl Richardson, David recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday with family and friends, a joyous celebration of his life. Clearly, he brought love, laughter, and inspiration to many. He was not afraid to let his silly side show, as he truly believed "Men are, that they might have joy."

His most important adventures involved church and family. When serving in a bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David was told by the stake president that bishopric members should be married. He willingly accepted this counsel, marrying Elva Broderick Richardson, his "Most Beautiful," on February 3, 1961. Married for 62 years, they were blessed with ten children, fifty seven grandchildren, and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. When he read in the bible, "And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," he must have taken it as a personal commandment.

He loved giving his family members nicknames, for example, the nickname for his daughter Daisie is "Hershish" (meaning "Her is a pretty girl, her is a good girl, her is a hardworking girl, and so on). He also invented songs for many of his family members, including grandchildren. One of his favorite songs was for his son Ron, which went "Little Lonny Leager with the bright red nose, Little Lonny Leager, where are your clothes?"

Throughout his journeys, David walked with his Heavenly Father. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil for three years, where he helped teach the gospel to many, including Helio Camargo, who later became the first general authority of the church from Brazil. A missionary throughout his life, David also served a stake mission and as a ward mission leader twice. He and his wife completed several missions in the Salt Lake Valley, one focused on family history work, another on welfare, and a third on employment education in the prisons and jails of the area. (He loved to joke that he had gone to prison.) He served the Lord in many other callings, including three high councils, and in his daily life.

Other adventures included working in construction with his father, a subcontractor, building concrete floors using forms called "pans." David earned a B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering (all from the University of Utah). He was in the Army National Guard for three years and participated in the Air Force ROTC while going to school. For much of his life, he worked as an engineer for Hercules Aerospace, which later became Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Sometimes people say, "It isn't rocket science," but David was proud to be a rocket scientist.

David loved adventuring in the realms of the imagination, having published six novels as primary author and written numerous short stories, many of which are historical fiction about LDS history or gothic romances. He also worked with his brothers on a set of two nonfiction books giving evidence for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

For some time, David has been ready for the next adventure. Cynthia Harris, his main caregiver over this period of affliction (his Swee' One), asked who he was most looking forward to seeing on the other side. David immediately answered, "Jesus." He is also looking forward to seeing family members who preceded him in death, including his parents, his brothers Thomas Fisk Richardson, and Darrow Wight Richardson, and his sister Effie Daisie Richardson.

He is survived by his wife Elva Broderick Richardson, and his ten children, David Ellis Richardson, Dana Earl Richardson, Sylvia Richardson Bushman, Cynthia Richardson Harris, Crystal Elaine Richardson Crookston, Ronald Broderick Richardson, Angela Daisie Richardson McCauley, Camellia Ann Richardson, Rosalee Richardson Bird, and Thomas Charles Richardson. He is also survived by his sisters Eva Richardson Bentley, Carol Richardson Sterzer, and his brothers Edmund Orange Richardson, Walter Wilbur Richardson, Allan Hart Richardson, Owen Hall Richardson, and Daniel Cox Richardson.

David passed away from complications related to Parkinson's Disease on April 14, 2023. While those he leaves behind will miss him, they know he was at peace in the knowledge that he was joining his Heavenly Father in the greatest adventure of all: eternal progression.

The viewing and funeral for David Earl Richardson will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the building for the Chevy Chase Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at: 5235 South Wesley Road, Murray, Utah. The viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The funeral will start at 12:00 pm. David will be intered in the Utah Veterans Memorial Park, located at 17111 S. 1700 W., Bluffdale, Utah 84065

Those wishing to view the funeral service remotely, please use this link:  https://zoom.us/j/97144820282