SALT LAKE TRIBUNE 05-28-99

Joseph C. Rich, age 90, died May 26, 1999 in Ogden, Utah of natural causes.

He was born April 9, 1909 in Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho to Edward Charles Rich and Deborah Teressa Dalrymple Rich. At age 17, Joe was called to the Southern States mission for the LDS Church. On August 12, 1932, he married Ruth Smith in the Logan Temple. She died December 21, 1984. He attended Utah State Agricultural College, University of Utah, graduated from George Washington Law School and passed the bar in Washington, DC.

His reserve commission in the United States Army was activated at the beginning of World War II. After serving in many positions at the Pentagon, he completed his active service as the Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation. When the war ended, he moved to Salt Lake City and worked for ZCMI. During this time, he retained his Army reserve status, commanded a local reserve unit and retired from the military as a Colonel.

In 1961, he and other family members purchased two new Travelodge motels in Tampa, Florida which he successfully operated for a number of years. He and his wife returned to Salt Lake City to be near family when he retired.

Joe was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life. He served twice as a bishop, on three high councils and as a worker in the Salt Lake Temple. After serving 24 years as stake patriarch, he was given emeritus status in January 1992.

He is survived by three children: Stephanie (C. Basil Williams), Ogden; J. Charles Rich (Jasmine), Salt Lake City; and Robert C. Rich (Mary), Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He leaves 16 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are twin brothers and a sister: Edward H. Rich (Beth), Orem; Emerson H. Rich, Salt Lake City, Helen E. Rich, Pasadena, California and numerous nieces and nephews. One sister, Edna Rich Nelson died in 1994 and a sister-in-law, Alice C. Rich died in 1998.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., May 28, 1999 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. He will be buried beside his beloved wife, Ruth, in Wasatch Memorial Park.

The family wishes to thank the many kind and caring people who assisted Joe during the last few years.