Dr. Homer R. Rich

Dr. Homer R. Rich OGDEN – Dr. Homer Redd Rich, 90, passed away Friday, May 18, 2007, while doing what he loved – working in his pottery studio. He was born August 16, 1916 in Brigham City, Utah to Abel Sargent and Alice Redd Rich. He grew up in Brigham and attended Box Elder High School. He attended the University of Utah, where he dated Carolyn Ryan. They were married May 16, 1941, and were later sealed in the Ogden LDS Temple. They had six children. His wife Carolyn passed away in 2003. He attended medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Homer was a Captain in the U.S. Army, and served during World War II as a physician to German POW’s. Dr. Rich started his pediatric practice in Ogden, Utah in 1948. He practiced for 51 years before retiring at the age of 83. During that time, he saw thousands of families, both in the office and during house calls. He loved the practice of pediatrics, and looked forward to going to work everyday. As he said of his work, “I’m a lucky man. I deal with the best people in the world – young mothers and children.” He served in many capacities as an advocate for children, eventually earning the ‘Child Advocate of the Year’ award for 1986 and 1988. He was awarded the Marty Palmer Service to Children Award in 2001 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. He served as Chief of Staff at McKay-Dee Hospital and was an Instructor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah Medical School. After retiring, Dr. Rich was awarded “Utah Doctor of the Year” in 2001 by the Utah Medical Association. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was a High Priest. He served as an executive secretary to two Bishops, and as a Home Teacher. Homer was a member of Rotary International. He enjoyed pottery, reading, playing the saxophone and driving his red Jaguar XKE. Surviving are his children, John Elliot (Diane) Rich, St. George; Kathy (Larry) Davis, Ogden; David Ryan (Jeannie) Rich, Tucson, AZ; Carolyn Rich-Denson, Ogden; Mary Margaret (Rex) Goodwin, Pleasant Grove; 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are two brothers, Elliot Rich and Wayne Rich, both of Logan; and one sister, Ellen Cook, Grand Terrace, CA. Preceding Homer in death were his wife Carolyn, two brothers, Carlisle and Lowell, daughter Rebecca Ann, grandson Matthew Rich and his son-in-law Marc Denson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Five Springs Ward Chapel, 1425 Kingston Dr. Friends may call at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday at the Ward Chapel 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Interment, Brigham City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McKay-Dee Foundation or St. Benedict’s Foundation, or any charity benefiting children. Email condolences to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com