West Jordan - Richard "Rich" Wayne Pool (81) peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in West Jordan, UT. He fought cancer valiantly for almost five years.
Richard was born on October 21, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Anna Jo Roskelley and Wayne Forbes Pool. He was the oldest of three children. Rich lived in Salt Lake City until the age of six when his family moved to Montpelier, Idaho, where he graduated from high school in 1959. Rich was industrious and worked after school for a milling company. He nearly lost his life when he fell into the grain from the top of the silo and had to swim his way out. Richard had many responsibilities when his father traveled and was very dependable. Richard was active in the scouting program as a young man.
Rich met Carol Jane Murray at a dance at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan in 1959. They married on May 19, 1961, and have been dancing ever since. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 21, 1976. They have five children.
Richard and Carol lived in Logan, Utah, then Montpelier, Idaho and built their first of many homes in Soda Springs, Idaho. They then moved to Salt Lake City, followed by a brief time in California for schooling. Upon their return, they lived in Salt Lake City, Murray, Cottonwood Heights, and finally West Jordan, where they have been for almost 25 years.
Richard was a Certified Orthotist and enjoyed his rewarding career, especially working with the children from Shriner's Hospital and patients at the Veterans' Administration Hospital. He never tired of helping others, and was brought to tears many times, especially when a little child would stand or walk for the first time. He eventually started his own business, Custom Orthopedics. His son, Ryan, worked alongside him for several years and Rich retired after 27 successful years.
When not working, Rich and his son could be found at BMX tracks all over the country and made many friends in the racing community. Ryan graduated to racing motorcycles and then go-karts, and Rich remained as his cheerleader and mechanic until the very end. He was an adrenaline junkie and loved his cars and motorcycles, and rode (and wrecked) many over the years. He also enjoyed riding his bicycle in his later years.
Richard and Carol purchased a cabin in Fairview, Utah, and loved fixing and improving it over many years. Richard was meticulous in caring for his cars, tools, yard, and home and shared his many skills with his children. The entire family spent a week at Snowbird every summer for the last 45 years. He and Carol discovered a love of travel, and their favorite destination was Cancun, Mexico. He got one last walk on the beach this past September.
Richard served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and especially loved teaching Sunday School, serving in the bishopric, and in the baptistry of the Jordan River Temple.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; siblings Karen and Russell (Sylvia) Pool; children Leslie (Eric) Hughes, Suzanne (Steve) Christiansen, Ryan (Robynn) Pool, Kellie Waldron, and Jeanine (Nick) Norris; fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Anthony Waldron.
The family thanks the many healthcare professionals who took wonderful care of him.
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 10 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095, Funeral Services will be held at Willow Grove Ward, 1945 W 9000 S, West Jordan, UT 84088 on Saturday, February 11th at 11:30 a.m. where a viewing will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to services. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.