Richard Allen Raum

Our beloved Richard Allen Raum, age 71, unexpectedly passed away from an unknown illness on December 9, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born on January 22, 1950, in Grundy Center, Iowa to Leroy and Florence (Sonkens) Raum.

Growing up on a farm in Gladbrook, Iowa, he learned the value of hard work. He graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1968. Other schools he attended included Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Throughout his life he had a great love for books, fishing, astronomy, science, history, darts, traveling, rock music, playing cards, shooting pool, and eating great food. He was passionate about football and loved watching his favorite teams the Washington Football Team and the University of Utah Utes.

Richard loved our country. He served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Texas and Germany. He also served in the Army and Air National Guards of Utah and won several awards for his honorable service. Since he was 6 ’ 7”, it was easy for him to get a job as a bouncer at local bars in Salt Lake City. Richard also worked for the United States Postal Service for 25 years, where he made many lifelong friends and was known as a jokester and great storyteller. Throughout his life he had many friends and was loved by all. He was very proud of a recent connection with Matt and Liz.

He cherished spending time with family in Iowa and especially enjoyed going to the Gladbrook Corn Carnival and the Boomtown Fireworks. Richard’s kind heart will be missed. His signature in texts and calls was “LTY” (love to you). In his honor, reach out to a friend or family member and send love as Richard did. Think of him next time you have a root beer float and picture his huge smile and him saying, “Right on!”

Richard is survived by his siblings Jerry (Nancy) Sonkens of Salt Lake City, Utah, Dennis (Cheryl) Raum of Gladbrook, Iowa, Beverly Raum Green of Hudson, Iowa, Robert Raum of Blair, Nebraska and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, some with children of their own who will also miss him deeply. Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Florence Raum and father Leroy Raum as well as his sister Barbara Raum Guillory.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, located at 3401 S. Highland Dr., Millcreek, Utah. Military Funeral Honors following Celebration.

Please feel free to wear your favorite sports attire to the service in his honor.