M. Keith Richardson

On May 14, 2015, M. Keith Richardson was reunited in heaven with his eternal sweetheart, Mary (M. Marian Anderson), his wife since June 1950. His family, who cherished him, bid a tearful heartfelt goodbye to their hero, father, grandfather, and friend. Keith is survived by 4 children—Myron Richardson (Malon), Colleen Lindstrom (Chris Lino), Bonnie Hoopes (Tony), Mark Richardson (Annette); 27 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren.

Keith’s handsome face first graced the home of his parents, Acel Richardson and Nora Virginia Player, on July 13, 1923. He grew into a strapping social lad with many neighborhood friends. After graduating from East High School, Keith joined the U.S. Navy to serve heroically as a pilot during WWII. Following his service, he pursued and achieved a Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Utah (Keith was an avid Utah fan!). After founding an architectural firm, Keith worked and retired as an architect for the LDS Church.

As an extraordinary architect, Keith’s successes include building homes, churches, and commercial structures throughout Utah and the world. While these accomplishments are significant, our precious father and grandfather excelled even more at building people. Keith and Mary’s craftsmanship is evident in the lives of each family member, neighbor, work colleague, and friend who met them. This patriarch touched lives with his love, kindness, leadership, laughter, and twinkling hazel eyes. He and his wife Mary loved their family, their faith, their friends, and any stray people who entered their lives; the Richardson home was a place of love.

Many questioned whether “miracle man” Keith was indestructible. Captured as an intern in Russia during an intense bombing raid in WWII, Keith suffered hunger, fatigue, and illness. Later, during a boating trip in Lake Powell, Keith plummeted 75 feet off a cliff to shatter nearly every bone in his body. Subsequently, he broke his back 3 times. His family believed this man (held together by duct tape and ibuprofen) was invincible until it was his time to pass on.

It is easier to count the destinations that this world traveler hasn’t been to, than to list the countries he has visited. Additionally, he lived in Russia, Germany, Portugal, Alaska, Hawaii, and more. His influence has impacted the lives of people throughout the world.

One of the highlights of Keith’s life was a mission for the LDS Church. Keith and Mary helped build the first LDS chapel in Vyborg, Russia during 1994-96. They loved serving! He was active in the LDS Church and a rock of faith and of strength to all of those who knew him.

The family wishes to thank First Choice Home Health for their loving personal care!

Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 19, 2015, at the East Millcreek 7th Ward Chapel located at 3408 S. Celeste Way (3120 E), Salt Lake City, Utah at 11:00 am. Viewing will be held prior at 9:30 am-10:30 am at the chapel. Interment will follow the funeral at Wasatch Lawn.