Richard was born on March 4, 1940, to Lawrence and Ida Andrews in Logan, Utah. He attended Adams Elementary School and Logan High School, Class of 1958. Richard completed two years at Utah State University before serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British North Mission. Following his mission, Richard returned to Utah State University and earned his degree in 1964. He then began his training at Northwestern University in the dental program. Richard married Suzanne Hall of Carnation, Washington, during the summer of 1966 in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. He finished his schooling in 1968 with a doctorate in dentistry. Richard was commissioned as an officer in the Army Dental Corp for two years, serving one year in Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam, Richard moved his family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he began his dental practice. He worked as a dentist in the area for over 40 years until his retirement. In 1983, Richard and Suzanne bought a tourist business called Sunbeam Village near Stanley, Idaho, that they ran with their family for 17 summers.
Richard was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many ward and stake callings, including three years as an institute teacher in the prison system. He was a skilled builder adding on to the family home several times and building his own dental office and log home. Richard was a lifelong learner, striving to become proficient at stain glass work, jewelry making, and woodworking.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lawrence and Dale, and sisters Ludene Bickmore and Ruth Buttars. He is survived by his wife Suzanne; seven children, Christine Breshears (Lee), Carter (Tendra), Paula Jean Abbott (David), Lynette Thueson (Justin), Michael (Camille), Ginger Allen (Gregg), and Boyd (April); twenty-nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Richard will be interred at Logan City Cemetery in his final woodworking project, a casket. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, April 7th at 2:00 pm.
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