Leo Dee Richins

L. (Leo) Dee Richins, 69, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the BeeHive Home in Lehi, UT after living with extended illness.
He leaves his wife, Kathy (Kathryn); his six children and their spouses, Christina and Jason Dowland, Tiffany and Jason Grimes, Travis and Chandra Richins, Ryan, Brett and Carlee Richins, and Chelsea and her fiance, Mike Boyd; his 16 grandchildren, 10 boys and 6 girls; and his siblings, Shirley, Billy, Cindy, and Sue. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Wayne.
Dee was born March 14, 1947 to Elmer and Blanche Richins and spent his childhood in Rose Park, UT. As a boy, Dee was a protective and playful brother, who loved his parents, got good grades, and enjoyed entertaining those around him. He was also industrious from a young age; his younger sisters remember long, back-aching days of worm-selling with him to pay for a Disneyland vacation.
Dee served an LDS mission in Austria, where he learned to speak German and eat sauerkraut. His experience with this culture would stay with him throughout his life (his children have many fond memories of their parents dancing the polka, sometimes balancing an egg between their foreheads and sometimes not).
Dee studied mechanical engineering at the University of Utah, served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the National Guard, and sang in the Mormon Youth Choir. He and Kathy were married June 23, 1972 in the Salt Lake, LDS temple.
Dee is remembered in many ways–husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, grandfather, tickle-monster–but the lasting, consistent images revolve around his helpful nature; his smile, boyish and cheerful to the end; and his love of singing.
When Dee had his guitar, his loved-ones gathered. Whether singing his children to sleep from the hallway, leading campfire sing-alongs at his yearly family campout, taking his children to sing carols for residents of assisted-living homes, playing while his grandkids danced, or just strumming some Peter, Paul, and Mary in the living room, Dee’s generosity and love shone through in music. It was where his personality and voice were clearest, and it’s the legacy that lives on most powerfully.
He loved his grandchildren, and they always slept peacefully in his arms.
He would want his children to know that Your dad loves you.
He is missed.
Funeral service will be held Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Old Mission Ward, 1433 East Old Mission Road, Sandy, Utah. Visitation will be Sunday, August 14, 6:30 P.M. till 8:30 P.M. at the Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary, 10055 South State Street, Sandy Utah and again Monday from 10:00 A.M. till 10:45 A.M. at the church. Interment will follow at the Memorial Redwood Cemetery.
Service Information
Viewing August 14, 2016 at 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Lake Hills Mortuary, 10055 South State Street, Sandy, Utah





Viewing August 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Old Mission Ward, 1433 Old Mission Road, Sandy, Utah





Funeral Service
August 15, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Old Miss Ward, 1433 Old Mission Road, Sandy, Utah