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In Memory

Richard Aland - Class of 1958 VIEW PROFILE

Richard Smith Aland, 78, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully at home in Star, Idaho, on Thursday, December 27, 2018. He was born on July 17, 1940, to Albert Smith and Anna May Winn Aland in Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Though his earliest years were spent in Sun Valley, Idaho, where his father was employed, he lived the majority of the time in Montpelier where he grew up. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many enjoyable hours with family members and friends roaming the hills and mountains during all seasons in Bear Lake County over his lifetime.

He graduated from Montpelier High School with the class of 1958. During the next two years he developed friendships with teens his age in Cokeville, Wyoming, and attended the Cokeville Ward following his graduation, and before serving honorably in the California Mission from 1960-1962. The next ten years were spent working and going to school. His job experience varied from days as a ranch hand, to construction work, then retail business. He could do anything he put his hand to. He attended Ricks’ College from 1963-65 and graduated from BYU in 1969 with a BS degree in Social Science. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in Community School Leadership in 1987.

Richard’s first job after college was teaching math, algebra, and P.E. at Bear Lake Junior High School in Paris, Idaho, in 1968; he also coached football, basketball, and track. In 1971 he met Lyndell Susan Dixon, a new teacher at the same school. They fell in love and married in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple on March 29, 1972. Their first four sons were born in Montpelier. In 1979 Richard accepted a position at BYU in Utah County, Utah, where their last three sons were born.

Richard served in a variety of supporting and leadership roles at Brigham Young University, beginning as manager of the Candy Jar and Varsity Theater. Over the next several years he supervised the custodial work and maintenance of the Wilkinson Student Center. He was also responsible for assisting Student Life through the planning, coordinating and carrying out stages of the $38 million renovation of the Wilkinson Center. His career culminated in his service as Director of Campus Support Services. He was a dedicated and loyal employee of the university as well as a positive influence on his peers and those he supervised. To support his large family, Richard also took a second job with the Marriott Center Department of Special Events and served in this capacity for twenty years. After 28+ years, he retired from the university at the end of December 2007.

A lifetime active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Richard served in numerous capacities. He was an assistant Scout Master for five years and the following five years as Scout Master in Orem, Utah, where he and his family lived for almost 36 years. He also served as a member of the stake high council. One of his most enjoyable experiences was serving as a bishopric executive secretary in the young adult ward.

Throughout his lifetime, Richard always put family before anything else. It was always about others and their needs. Whatever it took, he was there through thick and thin. He was blessed with many natural talents and took time to teach and train his sons. He was an excellent cook and delighted his family with delicious meals. We will miss the dear man who loved and took care of us. During his retirement he and Lyndell eagerly involved themselves in family history, which provided opportunities to travel and allowed them to meet extended family members, all of which provided years of fun.

Survivors include his spouse, Lyndell of Star, ID; seven sons Richard J “Ric” (Shauna) Cumming, GA; Chad S (Angela) Meridian, ID; David M, Boise, ID; C Scott (Diane) Middleton, ID; Ryan J (Kathy) Highland, UT; Brett D (Jenny) Spanish Fork, UT; and Michael W (Jessica) Meridian, ID; 22 precious grandchildren (15 boys and 7 girls): Keiffer, Brighton, Gideon, Harper, Jessica, Jacob, Lucas, Brynlee, Baylee, Camden, Mason, Keegan, Austin, Isaac, Tyler, Aubrey, Adalynn, Tanner, Spencer, Evan, Graham, and Odin; one brother John J. Aland (Marsha) St. George, UT; three sisters Lois (Byron Eborn) Montpelier, ID; Barbara (Brent Neeley) St. George, UT; and Susan Bauman of Pocatello, ID; sisters-in-law Mary Jo Aland, South Jordan, UT; Karen M Aland Pleasant Grove, UT; brothers-in-law Jeff W. Dixon, Jr. (Sue), Michael Dixon, both of Salt Lake City, UT, Danny R. Dixon (Barbara) Rougemont, NC, and sisters-in-law Donna (Randy) Martinson of Centerville, UT, Debra (Frank) Fowler of Layton, UT, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers Shawn (stillborn), Shane (stillborn), Gordon, and Robert; one sister and brother-in-law Shirley (Jerry Wurst), and one brother-in-law DeVerl Bauman.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeffrey Scott for his excellent and dedicated service as primary care physician to Richard, as well as Heart ‘n Home Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC for the gentle and tender care given to Richard in his final days of life.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 484 S. Main St. in Star, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am.



Click here to see Richard's last Profile entry.