Richard Frank Brecht passed away on March 31, 2017after a long battle with Alzheimer\s. Rich was born on September 14, 1939, in Buffalo, N.Y. to Richard and Lauretta Brecht, their only child. He graduated from Batavia High School in 1957 and attended Utah State University where he received both undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. While at USU, he joined the LDS Church and then served a full time mission to Northern California. He married the love of his life, Judy Thomas June 7, 1963 in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. They had four children. Rich worked for IBM in Endicott, New York for over thirty years as an engineer in their banking division. He enjoyed traveling and lived abroad with his family for several years while working for IBM. Rich loved to play sports especially basketball and softball. One of Rich's greatest passions was family history. He had a strong connection to his kindred dead and he spent much of his life doing genealogy. He was a meticulous journal writer, gardener, and he loved rock and roll music from the fifties. Rich was a devoted member of the LDS church. He was a bishop twice, a stake patriarch for sixteen years and a committed home teacher. He impacted the lives of many through his service and faith. He loved God and Jesus and he exemplified this by the way he lived his life.
Rich is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Jen and Dave Storey, son Richard and Lani Brecht, son Jeffrey and Tara Brecht, daughter Julie and Rich Hadlock and his wonderful 14 grandchildren; Aaron, Erika, Alex, Alexus, Ty, Abbi, Holden, Kayden, Gavin, Lauren, Carly, Maddie, Brooke, Kylie and great granddaughter Mia.
The funeral will be held at Larkin Mortuary, Riverton, Utah 3688 W. 12600 South on Friday April 7th at 11am. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 on April 7th. The interment will be at the Hyrum Cemetery in Hyrum, Utah.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Silverado Hospice for their years of loving care and support. Donations can be made in Rich\s name to the Utah Alzheimer\s Association.
