Richard Collier

Paonia resident, Richard S. Collier passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at his home in Paonia, Colorado. Richard was 83 years old.

Richard Scott Collier was born July 6, 1936 to Vernon and Elsie May (Standring) Collier in Vernal, Utah. His mother passed at a young age, his father remarried Gwladys (Morgan) Collier. He spent his childhood summers in Vernal, Utah and attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduating South High School with the class of 1954. Richard went on to further his education at the University of Utah where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. In June of 1958 Richard went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy.

Once Richard was honorably discharged from the Navy, he moved to a few different places which included Norfolk, Virginia, Boulder, Denver, and finally settled in Paonia, Colorado. He graduated from University of Colorado Boulder with a Master’s in Physics and enjoyed a career as a Physicist working in various private and government sectors, including NIST and NASA.

Richard belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paonia.  He sang in the church choir and was a member of the Colorado Corral group. He enjoyed farming, hiking, camping, and studying lightning.

Richard is survived by his children, Connie Thomase of Albany, NY, Daniel Collier of Fort Worth, TX, Wayne Collier of Denver, CO, Matt Collier of Longmont, CO, and Angie Collier of Fort Collins, CO; a sister, Joy (Collier) Heath of Kaysville, UT. Richard is further survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Saturday November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Services entrusted to Lindquist's Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road.