January 4, 1946 – May 16, 2022 (age 76)
Richard K. Austin, 76, passed away on May 16, 2022, from cancer. He was born on January 4, 1946, to Clarence W. Austin and Glenna (King) Austin in Logan, Utah. His formative years were spent on a small farm in Benson, Utah, where he learned the joys of working hard and the joys of playing in the outdoors even more. His family moved to Logan, Utah, where he attended and graduated from Logan High School. Richard served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission.
In December 1968, he married Leslie Kofoed in the Logan Utah Temple. Richard received a Business Administration degree from Utah State University with an emphasis in Production Management. He worked in San Leandro, California for the Caterpillar Tractor Co. after graduating from USU.
The mountains and outdoors of northern Utah drew Richard back to Cache Valley, so he and Leslie moved from California to Smithfield, Utah in 1971.
Having ridden horses in his youth, Richard became a horse owner and an avid rider as an adult with many mountain rides for pleasure and for hunting. He loved being in the outdoors – working outdoors or enjoying the outdoors with camping and trail rides.
When he retired from the USU Space Dynamics Lab, he took up golfing for the first time and loved playing the game and being on those beautiful golf courses with friends and family.
In 2011-2013, Richard and Leslie fulfilled an eighteen-month CES Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tennessee Nashville Mission, serving in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joan, and his brother David.
He is survived by his wife Leslie, his four children: Sherri, Christie (Eric), Andrew (Angela), and Michael (Jill). He is also survived by siblings: Jenay Hoffman, Marilyn Smith, Mark Austin, and Kathy Nelson. He leaves behind twelve grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Allen Mortuaries.
A visitation will take place Friday evening, May 20th from 6-8 pm at the Allen Mortuary 420 E 1800 N in North Logan. On Saturday May 21st there will be another visitation prior to the funeral service from 10:30 – 11:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse 1650 East 2600 North in North Logan.
The funeral service will begin at noon.
Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Allen Mortuaries.