February 14, 1946 – February 22, 2024 (age 78)
Richard William Wagstaff, beloved father, Papa, brother, friend and neighbor passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024 in his home surrounded by family, friends and so much love. He was 78 years old. Richard was born February 14, 1946 in Salt Lake City to Lena (Morley) and Dillworth Wagstaff. He was the third of 7 children. Richard loved and honored his mother, who for many years raised the family on her own. The Wagstaff siblings used humor, lots of laughter and love to get through some hard times. Family folklore and family jokes from those early years were repeated (over and over and over again) up until the last hours of Richard’s life and always brought smiles and lots of laughter to Richard and anyone who knew.
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Growing up in the time and place that he did Richard learned early on the profound importance of the second great commandment “love your neighbor.” Richard experienced how vital it was to have true friends and in turn he learned the joy and responsibility that came with being a quality friend and neighbor. Anyone fortunate to have been a friend or neighbor of Richard can attest to the fact that loving and serving his neighbors and friends was a hallmark of his life. In his younger years and in High School he was active in football and wrestling. He graduated from Bingham High School in1964. After High School he faithfully served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the central Atlantic states from 1965-1967. He then served in the US Army, later retiring from the Army Reserves. In all of these endeavors and adventures he loved the people that he met, served or served with, keeping in touch with many of them until his passing.
After his missionary and Army service Richard moved from West Jordan to Logan in order to attend Utah State University studying landscape design. Richard loved living in Logan and again Richard found many more wonderful friends and roommates with whom he shared many memories, stories and laughs. He especially loved his years living on Darwin avenue.
During the next decade of his life Richard combined his love of people with some business endeavors. He started up one of the only hippy stores in Logan, Swagman imports and later was part owner of the Italian place sandwich shop. He then went into traveling sales covering the Intermountain West area, allowing him to once more find opportunities to see new places and meet new people. During this time Richard’s mom sewed him his first Santa Suit and he began playing Santa Claus at many parties and gatherings throughout Cache Valley and beyond bringing so much Christmas joy to so many every year up through Christmas of 2022.
Born on Valentine’s day was so fitting for a man that had such a soft, tender and loving heart. Although until his age 32 he had yet to find someone to give his whole heart to. As luck would have it, one of Richard’s good friends had found the perfect match for Richard in Betsy Hutchings and a blind date was set up. Richard and Betsy had their first date in the fall of 1978 and the happy couple fell in love and were married on June 22, 1979 in the Salt Lake Temple. Mr. Santa now had a Mrs. Santa to help him spread Christmas cheer each December. In addition to the regularly scheduled parties Mr. and Mrs. Santa attended, the Jolly couple always made time to visit those in their ward and neighborhood who were in need of some extra Christmas spirit and love.
Together Richard and Betsy created a home that was warm and welcoming to people from all walks of life and they always found ways to help and serve others. Richard and Betsy loved having friends over to eat good food and play games. They loved gathering with the Hutchings and Wagstaff families enjoying many family reunions and holidays over the years. Uncle Richard always kept everyone smiling and laughing. Richard and Betsy worked side by side in the large garden and kept a beautiful yard with lots of flowers. Richard and Betsy were so happy to welcome two daughters to the family, Sarah in 1981 and Rachel in 1982. With the addition of the girls the Wagstaff family felt complete. Richard was the original #girldad, he spent countless hours playing Barbies, “house” and dolls. He also taught his girls to ride bikes, serve your neighbors and friends, look out for the less fortunate, take care of animals, play many sports, snow ski and he never missed attending a meet or game to support his girls with his signature whistle.
Richard especially loved and tenderly cared for little children and all creatures great and small, he especially loved dogs and there is no doubt he was greeted by many of his old faithful, four legged companions as he passed into the next world. He loved flowers and trees and knew so much about both. He loved watching gardening shows, reading gardening books and looking at seed catalogs. He loved learning and knew a little bit about almost everything. Richard could fix just about anything and was a master with super glue. Richard also had a great love for music. At the top of his play list would be 1950-60s golden oldies, with Motown and Elvis ranking at the top but overall he had a very eclectic taste in music and passed that on to his family. Peanut butter, chocolate and ice cream (especially when combined) were also favorites of Richard!
While raising a family Richard worked selling insurance and then later worked at and retired from TTM Technologies in Logan. Although it was more of a hobby, by far his favorite line of work was running his popular stand at the Cache Valley Farmers market and later operating Poor Richard’s produce stand in a few different locations. In all of his work and market endeavors Richard cherished making many more new friends and memories. Sharing with others his love and knowledge of plants and flowers and fresh produce. Many of these interactions at work and in the farmers market also developed into lifelong friendships with coworkers and customers.
Richard lovingly cared for Betsy during the last year of her life and has missed her fiercely since her passing in 2020. Their reunion was a joyous one and knowing they are again together brings us great comfort. Richard was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two nephews.
He is survived by his two daughters, Sarah (Clayton) Winslow of American Fork, UT and Rachel Woods of Ogden Utah and his three grandsons, Colter Winslow and Isaac and Abe Woods. Richard is also survived by 5 of his siblings and many nieces and nephews.
We are so grateful to all who helped care for Richard in his home these last 18 months, we could not have asked for a more incredible group of people (Team Richard) who lovingly gave their time and efforts to ensure Richard could stay in his home where he wanted to be. We express our immense gratitude to the Johnson, Bryner and Ogden families and to Mahayla Bassett, Brad Christensen and Symbii Hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM with a Viewing prior from 11:00 AM to 11:40 AM and a Viewing the night before on Thursday, February 29 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint building at 125 W. 600 North, Logan, UT.
Burial will take place at the Logan City Cemetery at 1:30pm.
In Richards memory give some loving service to your friends or neighbors or give some extra love to your furry friends.