Richard Isaac Swenson

Richard Isaac Swenson, husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle returned to his Heavenly Father Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Age 86.

Richard was born March 3, 1938, in Spanish Fork, Utah to Phebe and Jack H. Swenson. He had four siblings. Three brothers and one sister.

On September 9, 1961, he married Sydna Jo Mason in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on February 4, 1984.

Richard graduated from Spanish Fork High School. He then attended the University of Utah receiving his bachelor's degree in chemistry followed by a master's in business administration, earning him a position with PPG Industries which took him and his young family to Burlingame, California, Middletown New Jersey and finally Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

In 1977 he brought his family back to Salt Lake City, Utah to realize his dream of opening a chemical business of his own, Western Briquette Company. A few years later, he ventured into an additional field establishing REP Chemical Inc.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was devoted to the University of Utah and was a Crimson Club member most of his adult life. He loved football and tailgating before the games. He also strongly supported the Lady Utes Women’s Gymnastics team. He loved traveling around the world, golfing, and skiing.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Phebe and Jack Swenson, wife Sydna Mason Swenson, brothers Jack Swenson Jr and David Swenson and sister Barbara Burke, granddaughter Laura VanderMeide Morrill, and grandson Zachary VanderMeide.

He is survived by daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A private family graveside service was held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah.

Many thanks to compassionate caregivers of Renew Hospice, especially his nurse Jesi Gurule and aides Shelby Yardley and Haylee Harmer. For their care for Dad and the support to our family.