Grampa's Milk Shakes

From Mark and Amy

My favorite memory of my father is when he would take us camping. I continue to enjoy camping and love to take my family so they can enjoy the outdoors.  He also had many trades that I am grateful he took the time to teach me. I also enjoyed the many trips to Price to visit Grandma Rich.  Mark Rich (son)

Bob or Dad as I called him always had a smiling face which I will miss seeing every day. He was always joking around with everyone whether they were family, friends or complete strangers.  I am honored to have had him in my life for the last 19 years. He was a hard working man with a great work ethic that I am proud he passed on to Mark. Amy Rich (daughter-in-law)

Let's See What Dad Thinks

It was hard to pick just one so here a few. When I was little I wouldn't let My Dad Touch my Mom. They use to call me the birth control kid. Most of us kids are 2 yrs. apart. My younger brother is 4yrs. younger than me. I was born in 72 and he was born in 76. My Dad never got Mad when I pushed him away, all he did was laugh. I learned to help others, and to look at the glass half full. Life is what you make of it is what he told me once. I remember when I broke my arm when I was little. My mom would say let’s see what your dad thinks most of the time if dad said it was broke it wasn't and if he thought it was sprained it was broken. There was one time I thought I was going to be in big trouble. Dad Just got his New Tan Chevy truck it was only 2 weeks old. One dad he showed me how to use the gear shift. I felt big. well he was working at a house on 1700 s. while I sat in the Truck I played with the gear shift. well the sad thing is the truck started to go backwards. I jumped out and started to Yell Dad, ‘Dad the trucks moving’ I tried to stop it by holding on to the side view mirror but it was starting to pull me backwards. All I heard was let it go we can replace the truck but I can't replace you. We had angels with us that day. The truck went down the driveway and out onto 1700 s around two trees on the other side of the street back onto 1700s and into the neighbor’s yard. During that whole entire time Dad was chasing the truck. After all that no bump or scratch on the car, and Dad all he did was give me a hug and say I love you. Dad thanks for giving me away at my wedding, but I will say it was hard when you said I love you Jody and you'll always be my little girl. I know my dad loved both of his little girls so much. Dad I will miss you and I want to thank you for the great example you were to this family. I know from watching you and Mom go to church and the temple each month that this Gospel is true. All the little stories you shared help me know that you knew it to be true. I will tell you right now I will live my life and serve others to honor your name. Lots of Love always your little girl Toady!  Jody Rich Fetzer (daughter)

BOB - Best of the Best

Best Of Best

Bob was the best of the best. Everybody has qualities that you want to emulate. Bob had many of them. He was friendly, fun to be around, accepting of everyone, patient and many others to numerous to mention.

The memory I have of Bob encompasses all of these. I had a chance to help Bob build his last house. We spent almost every day together working on getting the house ready to live in. He was a joy to be around from his answer to how are you today? “Lousy but I’m, getting use to it”. Or his comment when he was tired. “No rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t deserve it”. He was quick to help show me the right way to do the task that he wanted done. He never got upset or complained when I did things wrong. He was always willing to teach me the construction skills that he had. We finally finished the house (Probably a lot longer than it should have taken).

I will miss Bob, his friendship, and all of his qualities. I hope to take his example and qualities and be more like Bob. The Best Of the Best.

Matthew H. Fetzer

Razzberries

I have two memories. The first one I was very young but I went everywhere with Dad. I knew which lumber store gave out balloons or toy rings, which one had the candy machine, or pop machine. We would always share an orange crush. The other was when I was about 12. I was washing the dishes and not happy about it cuz the dish washer was broke. Dad came in to help and to try and cheer me up like he always does. I didn't want to be cheered up. I wanted to sulk. So when he told me a joke I stuck my tounge and gave him a razzberry.  He tried to give one back but not very good. So I instructed him on how to do it. Saying that he needed to stick his tounge out farther. He tried again. This time his teeth flew out of his mouth and across the kitchen floor. He succeeded. I had a smile on my face. In fact I laughed so hard and he said "see I knew I could make you smile".   He will always make me smile!  I love you dad!

Penny Rich (daughter)

Memories From the Jason Rich Family

Jason: I remember traveling with Dad to Denver for a construction job. The truck broke down and was towed into a small town. We stayed in a motel for about 3 days waiting for it to be fixed. Of course Dad made friends with all the people that he met and the best out of our situation. My family says that I remind them of Dad when I meet people.

Rikki: He’s a great man. He told me he would be my Dad when my parents divorced. Jason and I were not even married yet. He was always willing to help anyone where ever he could. He helped my Mom finish her basement apartment in southern Utah and would not take any payment. He just wanted to be fed and a warm place to sleep.  That was fun experience for my kids to see Grandpa in action, doing what he loved.  His acts of service were a great example to me. Much love old man!

Beau: Anna and I were riding with Grandpa in the Cadillac and we told him we wanted to stand thru the sunroof. Always safety first with Grandpa! He pulled into a church parking lot and drove around while we were hanging out of the sunroof. Also, Grandpa baptized and confirmed me.

Anna: One of my memories with Grandpa was when we lived with him. We would throw little rocks at each other . When we moved and my family would visit Utah, Grandpa would ask if I got hit by any of the rocks that he threw. Funny thing is, I would actually feel little things like rocks hitting me and it would make me think of Grandpa.

Sadee: Riding in Grandpa’s car and wearing his cooool sunglasses. When we were living at his house, Grandpa thought it was so funny to play practical jokes on us. One time he locked me outside in the snow and made funny faces at me through the glass door.  But then there was also the awesome chocolate shakes and going to Arctic Circle for ice cream cones.

Makailee: I remember Grandpa freaking me out with his ‘magic’ teeth. He would take them out and it would make me laugh. Also, his chocolate shakes.

You Are My Sunshine

One thing no one will ever forget about Grandpa is his undeniable ability to change the mood of a room. He was the type of person that no matter the mood, no matter the situation, he always knew just what to say to make everyone laugh and forget anything troubling you. You just couldn't be in a bad mood around Grandpa, he wouldn't let you. We're all going to miss you Grandpa!! ---Brandon Spencer  (Grandson)

A Kind Word, a Smile, and a Hammer

I will always remember when Dad came to Missouri to help us out when no one could figure out why the roof on our new home was leaking. When he got up on the roof he figured it out in a matter of minutes and had it fixed in no time. I will also never forget when he got up one morning and went out to the garage and Bob was caught smoking and threw his cigarette to the ground, dad said now pick it up before you burn the house down we all know you smoke and I'm not mad just disappointed.

Dad was always there with a kind word, a smile and a hammer, no matter what you needed or the situation you just knew he would be there.

Danette Rich (Daughter-in-law)

Memories of Grandpa

Grandpa would always say we were ornery, irritable; grouchy old ladies, which I thought was so funny because we were boys and he would tell the girls that they were old men. Love you grandpa and thanks for all that you did for us all.  --- Aaron Rich (grandson)

Grandpa helped us build our house and when we were building the second story he let us have a little play hut area in the attic. He also helped us build a table and a bench out of scrap wood. He was always very easy going and he made you feel comfortable around him all the time. You could always count on a good joke from him even if you had already heard it a million times! Thanks grandpa, love you. --- Ashton Rich (grandson)

I remember that Grandpa Rich was always a man that would go out of his way to help other people. Not only would he do it, but he would do it happily. I never saw him get mad, not even the time when he as working on moving some 2x4's down the alley on 5th East that some hornets had decided to make their nest in. I remember him running out of the field with stings all over his head and I never heard a foul word. I sometimes look back on some of the teachers I have had growing up in school and church and I would have to say Grandpa Rich was one of the best. He never taught me directly but by just observing the many jobs and projects he worked on and how he treated other people was always a great lesson. Thanks for being not just a great teacher and example but a wonderful Grandpa. Love you.  Greg Rich (grandson)

Grandpa was always trying to make other laugh and help them smile and be happy. He always would try and cheer everyone up and was looking out for others. It is a simple thing but it's hard for a lot of us to do that. It's a talent that Grandpa possessed and he was always able to joke around and make others comfortable no matter who you where. With as happy as he always tried to be it's no wonder he thought that everyone else was an "orny old lady". Love you tons Grandpa :)   Devan Rich (grandson)

I didn't get to see my grandpa a lot because of living in 2 different states and even though I was a step-grandson he always treated me like one of his own grandsons. We all love you grandpa and you will be missed dearly.  Wayne Spencer (grandson)

I liked the time he came up and stayed with us to fix the apartment above the garage. There were plenty of afternoons spent lounging on the front lawn. He had grown tired from his work, and I was getting fed up with my friends attempting to be "good roommates." so we would sit and talk about things that bugged us, things we liked, and all the things we found interesting or noteworthy. If there were any factors in keeping me an active member of the church he was a main influence while my mother was on the road. I learned a lot about my grandfather over the course of his stay with us.  Anthony Trabanino (grandson)

I loved Grandpa. When I was with him there wasn’t a second he wasn’t saying something to make me laugh. He always would take us out to ice cream, when he was up in Idaho with us. Todd and I stayed at the house with him. There was two things that he always had at the house for us. That was ice cream and chili. We always ate chili, because you could simply throw it in the microwave. Grandpa and I tried to make pancakes, but they turned out more like crackers. Grandpa was always a helping person and he loved all his grand children. He was a great role model to me. I never seen him get angry. I am going to miss him.     Ronald Crawford (grandson)

The most common memory I have of my grandpa is the blue work suit he wore everyday whether he was going to be working on something or not.  I also remember his crazy and aggressive driving, when he would give me a ride to school in the morning it was scary.  But I always made it to school on time.  Lauren Rich (granddaughter)

I am going to miss grandpa’s famous cherry chocolate milk shakes, whenever you wanted one he would make it. Dessert was always his favorite food group. He is also the only one who called me an old lady, he called all of his grandsons old ladies. Alex Rich (grandson)

I remember grandpa as a loving man who was never sad. When he would walk by in his blue suit he would always smell like wood shavings, so i knew he had been working. He always was working to help friends or family. He made the best chocolate shakes I have tasted. My grandpa was truly a talented man wherever he went and he would always do it with a smile.  Brandon Rich (grandson)

 

Not the Taj Mahal

Once when we were building our second house there was something that I wanted done a certain way and it might have been how the carpet on the stairs was laid or even just how the wood trim was (I'm not sure) but I remember him saying, "Geez she's not building the Taj Mahal"!    I also remember all of the wood palettes that he would go get so he could cut them up for firewood and "save money". He would also tell you to, "smile it could be worse" and then when you smiled he would say, “she smiled and sure enough it got worse", or when you asked how he was doing he would say, "lousy but I'm getting used to it". A favorite when they lived with us in our old house was all of the cherry chocolate shakes that were made. To this day our boys love to make shakes because of this memory from when they were little and we have gone through blender after blender! Most of all I will miss his light-hearted attitude and personality with always a smile for everyone that could brighten your day and make things seem a little less stressful. So smile dad, were doing lousy but we'll get used to it! Love you.--- Julie Rich (daughter-in-law)

Hold the 'Shrooms

I remember dad driving my old Volkswagen Beetle as his work truck and if he had to haul any re-bar around he would just strap it underneath the car! He would also walk around the house when we were little and if we left any lights on he would go behind us and turn them off and say " What do you think we are, made of money". Dad and mom would also always get pizza from Bruno’s with pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms. That’s when I started not liking mushrooms and would pick them off the pizza. Dad always had malted milk balls he would carry around with him too and sneak them to eat. Most of all I remember that my dad was always happy even when times were maybe not the best he would always have a smile, funny remark, and a happy countenance. We will all miss his playful way! Love you dad.  Cory Rich (son)

A Good Neighbor

We lived next door to Bob and Dolores in Murray for about 6 years.  My children have fond memories of Bob.  First of all, he would always joke with them that he was 102 years old.  I'm pretty sure my kids believed him.   Bob always had an Otter Pop to hand out to them whenever they went over to the house.

For someone who was 102 he sure was amazing.  Bob was always so industrious.  He could find scraps of materials from who knows where and build things out of it.  He was always helping out his kids and other people that needed help. 
Bob was a good man and a wonderful neighbor.

With love,

The Porter Family
Don, Jennifer, Ty, Erin, Seth, Ryan, Sadie

We Loved Him So

When it comes to neighbors Bob and Dee were the best!!!  We were lucky enough to live right across the street.  When our house was being built we learned right away that we had a "go to" person when we needed help.  A willing lender of tools and advice!  I will be so ever grateful for the day that he came and saved me ~  We were starting to hang the interior doors and this first one  just wasn't going in straight or plum or level and after wrestling it all morning i knew it was time to walk across the street. I knew he would know the secret i was missing.   So i walked over...   he stopped what he was building and came to help. With in a few minutes he had the door hung and went on to help hang the rest.  It was such an easy thing for him but for us it was an absolute sanity saver!  I am sure that we put his schedule off tremendously but never once felt like we had impositioned his schedule.  After the houses were built and all was settled we felt very lucky to be surrounded by such warm and caring people. Always a cheerful hello and teasing of one sort or another.    Our lives took us down a different path away from that little neighborhood but we continue to compare neighbors near and far to the example set by the Rich family!  So glad we had the neighborhood party~  Thanks for hosting!    We love you!   The Egans!

Make Mine Cherry-Chocolate

I will not start this off with Robert or Bob, as I only know  “grandpa”; a man who helped to raise me. You gave so much and asked for so little; never saying “no” to someone in need.  I am not hurt that you are gone. I know that you are better now. I am hurt that my kids will not know the love and joy from the man I call “grandpa”. P.S. when I see you again, I would love a cherry-chocolate milkshake.  Jeremy Rich (grandson)

Service With a Smile

My heart is so heavy today for I just lost an incredible man and example in my life! Why does it take something like this to pull out those deep feelings in your heart and now it feels so empty!

My last letter to my Uncle Bob. . .

I just love you so much! When I think of memories it always turns more into a feeling that I always had when I was around you! From helping us as newlyweds move into the small little home of Dee’s mother, to once again being called on when we returned to Salt Lake to live in Willowcreek.  You were always there with a smile on your face, to help us turn our house into a home!

But most of all, when I think of you, I think of someone who was always there for your family! If there was a wedding no matter how far away, we could always count on you making the effort to be there. In fact at one of my children’s wedding you and Aunt Dee, saved us by helping in Mom’s kitchen, serving and making the guests feel at home (and of course cleaning up).

So, you were always there to support the big occasions, and I could count on seeing you there!  But what was even more incredible was you were also there for no special reason, just showing up to visit mom and dad and making their life a little brighter! You were the perfect “baby brother” for those three sisters who, by the way, adored you!

When I think of you now, I think of your glorious reunion with Grandma and Grandpa Rich. . . I think of you once again embracing those beautiful children you had to give back to Heavenly Father so early in their tiny lives. . . I think of how happy my brother Rick must be to see you again!!!  I know I am so selfish when my heart breaks because you have left us behind.

Uncle Bob, I will miss you but you will always have a spot in my heart with memories I will treasure forever!  Debi Larsen Leeflang (niece)

Uncle Bob

Sarah remembers Bob as always smiling and that he looked like his father. Bob told Sarah the reason grandma Echer (Lenna Beth) was short was because he patted her on the head and said "good little girl".  Bob and Dee cared for grandma Rich in their home and she remembers that.  

Alden remembers taking Bob through the veil at Manti when Lenna Beth and Johnny were sealed.  Bob was always supportive of family functions. He would visit Price often.  

Sherstin remembers him coming to weddings and Rich reunions.  

Jessica said he was always playing jokes and teasing.  She loved it.  

John remembers borrowing the tile saw.  He always would call John Alden "old man” when he saw him.  Bob was a good brother to grandma Echer.  I remember all of the same things and I loved Uncle Bob.  ---Peggy Echer  and her family (niece)

 It is difficult to think of one special memory of Uncle Bob, there are too many.  On of his greatest gifts that he so willingly shared with all of us was his sense of humor and happy countenance.  I tried to think of any time when I ever saw him angry....couldn't.  He had his share of trials in his mortal life, but handled them without anger, blame or pity.  I observed him make sacrifices and work hard for his family.  He and Aunt Dee were always present at extended family important events.  When Mom was sick, they made many trips to Price to visit, always making her day brighter.  Whenever we parted after a visit he would say "I'm sure glad you got to see me".  Yes Uncle Bob I am sure glad I got to see you.  I am grateful for your example of gratitude; no matter what.  I will miss you and your unique way you could make everyone smile.
Love,
Marilyn Echer Robinson (niece)

Saw-dust and Paint

I have so many memories with Grandpa Bob, that I am having a hard time picking which one to share. I thought that maybe I should share one that had meaning behind it, or some hidden moral behind the story, but just being with him and doing everyday things made many memories that are special to me. These memories may not make front page news,but
they will forever be in my heart.

The time I spent with Grandpa may not have been exciting, or eventful, but just being with him
 meant the world to me. I remember a strong man, whom always wore blue cover-alls with paint splattered all over them. He never smelled of anything, but saw dust and paint. His hands were worn down from all the hard work, although we always teased him for all the naps he took.

Out of all the men that have come into my life, Grandpa will forever be the best one. Not only did he teach me how to hammer, cut and paint, he taught me how to love, respect, and cherish. Every time I have a chocolate milk shake, I will think of him. - Andrea Roedel (granddaughter)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

He was funny! --- Dylan Rich (great-grandson age 8)

He was a genius and a very clever man. --- Isaac Rich (great-grandson age 6)

He was funny and I am grateful to have known him.  --- Riley Rich (great-grandson age 10)

Smiling Bob

Your Grandpa Rich was "THE" Smiling Bob! I was fortunate to be able to see him often at my neighborhood Smith's. His kindness and warm greetings were always delightful! I am sorry for your loss Leo, Merri, Chris , Steph, TJ, and kids. I love you so very much.
May you know peace, and celebrate his life!
-- Bex (Becky Clawson Walkup - Merri's sister)

On The Road Again

I traveled a lot with Dad and enjoyed working with him.  He taught me a lot, but one of my fondest memories about Dad is something that influenced my life greatly. It was in 1972 when I went on a work trip with Dad to Pennsylvania, we were on I-80 going through Nebraska early in the morning and we got off an exit - I remember seeing I-80 stretched for miles in both directions and that's when I knew I wanted to travel when I grew up. I credit dad for the profession that I loved doing for 25 years, thanks Dad!!! I love and miss you!!! ... Robert Rich (son)

Bob the Builder

Grandpa I love you so much and thank you for raising the man that raised me to be a man so that I can raise my 3 young men. Thank you for giving me the knowledge to build as well as the love to do so. Thank you for loving me and always having a smile to give. Build that home now with our Lord so when your family comes to you we can all be home again.--- Christopher Rich (grandson)

    We first met the Rich's when we moved into our new home on 5th East in Murray,  They were our first friends and our kids grew up together.

     We remember Bob as a very good and generous person, always willing to help out.  He taught Lyle Carpentry and to do about anything else pertaining to building.  They worked on several building projects over the years, including installing the runway lights on the Stapleton International Airport in Denver.  The last job they did together was building our Cabin in Salina Canyon.

     Bob was a hard worker and would do anything he could to help other's.  He had a sense of humor and was somewhat of a jokester.

     He served his family and church well, he stayed strong in the gospel and was a good and faithful servant.  "We'll miss you Bob."  May God bless and your Family ----The Taylor's

Well where do I start with grandpa. He is an amazing man. I have a thousand and one memories of him that play over and over again. I can pick anyone of them and know they would be perfect to talk about. But there is one I want to talk about that means more then anything to me. There was one time I was helping him nail the stairway together and he was showing me how to hold the hammer, but I kept holding it how I wanted to. He told me if I did not hold it how he showed me I was going to hit my thumb. I had no care but to keep going on the way I was. Within a matter of moments I slammed my thumb and started to cry. The meaning of this story is do as your elders say because they are smarter then you are. I did not realize that for a long time. He is one of the smartest people I know and will always be in my heart day in and day out.
-Todd Crawford- (grandson)

Safe and Secure

My love of antique cars started with Dad’s red and white 1960 Chev truck.  I used to love to ride with him in it.  That’s where he taught me to use a stick shift.  I’d sit next to him on that bench seat, his big arm around me, all tucked up next to him.  I felt so safe and secure, happy and content going down the road, listening to the whine of that old transmission and being with my Dad.  --- Leon Rich (son)

Mean, Ornery, and Irritable

If you asked him, 'How are you?', his answer was always, 'Mean, ornery, and irritable'.  But I remember him as kind, happy, and even-tempered.  One late night, when Leon and I were first married, we were out and our car broke down.  After weighing our options, we reluctantly called and Bob, Dad came to our rescue.  He didn't arrive with a lecture, a bad attitude, or 'I told you so' - not mean, ornery, or irritable.  He arrived with a smile, a warm ride home, and assurance that he would be back in the morning to take us to get the car taken care of. --- Merri Clawson Rich (Daughter-in-law)