Richard Emerson Kirkham
(March 6, 1945 - July 1, 2022)
Our cherished and adored husband, loving father and grandfather, dedicated son, friend, (“Pops,” “Padre,” “Daddio,” “Dr. K,” “Special K,”)- Richard (Rick) Emerson Kirkham, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on July 1, 2022, after a valiant fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rick was born to Emerson Dale and Virginia Koch Kirkham and raised in Holladay, Utah. He graduated from Olympus High School, attended the University of Utah, and finished his education at Brigham Young University graduating Cum Laude and receiving a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology. (He rooted for the Y in case you are wondering!) He worked at Central Utah Mental Health, Wasatch Mental Health, and Children’s Special Health Services. Later in his career, he worked in private practice doing many vocational rehabilitation evaluations for the state of Utah.
Rick served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States mission. He had a deep love and understanding of the gospel and for the Savior Jesus Christ. His love for the Savior was reflected in the way he lived and treated others.
Rick comes from a long line of musical talent and music was a big part of his life. From classical to rock, he had a love and appreciation for all types of music, especially 80’s rock ballads! After returning from his mission, he became a member of The Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus. We will always have sweet memories of him sitting at the piano Sunday mornings, serenading us with beautiful music.
Rick’s nose was constantly in a book! He had a great love for learning and was well educated and informed. Whether it was spiritual, medical, or political matters, he was always seeking to have a greater understanding and knowledge so he could apply what he learned and use it to better himself.
He was sealed to the love of his life, Joyce Newman, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 19, 1971. Rick and Joyce raised their four children in Richfield and Sandy Utah. He deeply and unconditionally loved his family. He always made a point to be present when he was with them and made sure everyone felt valued and included. They all loved his wise and thought-provoking conversations. His understanding listening ear will be greatly missed.
Rick is survived by his beautiful, sweet wife Joyce (aka “my girl”). Cherished Children: Ryan Kirkham, Aimee (Casey) Wallace, Laurie (Shandon) Cole, Darren (Shari) Kirkham
Adored Grandchildren: Jacob (Makenna), Jaxon, Kaylen, Hannah, Bryten, Jameson, Cayce, Justice, Talon, Ellie, Sienna, Abi, Sadie, Jett and Emri
Treasured Sisters: Patrice (Bill) Wollam and Julee (Marc) Bernhisel
He is also survived by an amazing lifelong group of very loyal, and VERY mischievous friends (you know who you are)!
He was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Virginia Kirkham and niece Tammy Rogers.
Rick was blessed with the spiritual gift of unconditional love and understanding for others. The relationships he accumulated on this earth are his most prized possessions. He both leaves these behind to each of us, and takes them with him, as our hearts are knit together till we meet again…
Our family would like to thank Diane Young APRN, Dr. Stephen Miller, Ed Parry NP-C and Bryan Hoelzer MD at Southwest Spine and Pain, the doctors and staff at the Heart Center at St. Marks, and all of the doctors and health professionals who have helped him throughout the years. A special thank you to Elevation Hospice (Alissa, Miriam, Jeff, and Sherrie) for their loving care and attention and always treating us like family.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cottonwood 12th Ward at 1750 Spring Lane, Holladay, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
There will also be a viewing the previous evening, Thursday July 7th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 1950 E 10600 S. Sandy, Utah
Interment: Holladay Memorial Park
4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah
To view the COMPLETED services via Zoom click the "Watch Services" button or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/FQ9PUukdbPZfaijzj494gu_VNd3W0quZSwS2W_6roPruHodPUTg0WVUZXPLMaFCw.-E8Yt_JwKBK66OAE?startTime=1657298102000
Kim and I love and miss you so much and look forward to reuniting
With you one day.❤️
Rick’s passing has had a profound affect on me. I was at his and Joyce’s wedding and in the blink of an eye we grew old and now attending a funeral. I’m so grateful that this mortal existence is but a small moment and we will all be together in the grand place where Rick has gone, although the pain of separation must still be borne. I love you Joyce and will continue to pray for the comforter to remain with you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Joyce, and your dear family at this time. What a beautiful obituary of the wonderful life of your dear husband. What a comfort the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at times like this, knowing we can be with those we love again. Love to you, Julie
Rick supervised me as an intern as Wasatch Mental Health many years ago. He was kind, insightful, helpful, accepting and encouraging. He was genuinely interested in me and my well-being and I am very grateful for his support and mentorship. May you be blessed with peace and continue to experience his loving presence in your lives.
Sending LOVE and LIGHT to our dear friends. I met Laurie Kirkham Cole in her adult life and “I have been changed for good” She speaks often of her Dad and
I see his example reflected in her life. You make everyone feel valued! What a wise and wonderful treasure you’ve passed to your kids and grandkids. We love you! Until we meet again
Hey Kirkham, you left us far too soon, but you left us with some good time memories. Although we’ve been friends for nearly 70 years it’s very hard to believe that you won’t be with us at our “Cumberland gang” lunch hangouts. You will be more than missed, yet still with us as I’m sure more remembered stories will surface.
You’re the one that put all of us back in touch a few years ago and the reason our friendships were renewed and have actually grown in recent years.
Our stories of some crazy things we did as kids keep getting better as each of us remembered bits and pieces and then…bam, memories and stories came together!
I can still ‘kind of’ remember meeting for the first time, I believe on my front porch as you wandered over from your house as we were moving in. I quickly learned to look up to you!
We went through some fabulous years and I, for one, appreciate your efforts to put us all back together so we can now have some great laughs every few months. Having that many boys grow up together in such a small proximity is rare, but each of us are thankful for that. Stories that will stay with us forever.
Thanks Buddy! You will always be remembered for your extreme friendship and kind of the glue that held us in check.
I know your family is proud of you, and I am proud to have called you a great friend!!!
You will be forever part of us Cumberland Boys! (Rick, Marlin, Bill, Clark, Dave, Craig, and Lorenz)
Bill
To our forever sweet friends, The Kirkhams -
Rick was such a wise, caring and spiritual man. He never passed up an opportunity to serve and offer his help, expertise and sometimes just a listening ear to our family in times of need. He comforted when you needed comforting and when you were around him you just knew he truly cared. we will miss our friend Rick.
We also remember and love the fun times when we were altogether as friends and all of the laughs and great memories of wonderful times together. Joyce, we love you forever and think of you everyday.
Love, Susan and Lezlie
Growing up, and even as an adult, I remember Rick and Joyce as being one of my very favorite couples in my neighborhood and ward. You always felt/feel safe around them and loved. Never hesitated to run up and hug those two. I am so sorry for your loss. I love you Joyce - Lezlie
Dear Joyce and Family,
I am visiting my sister in Richfield and happened to look at a Richfield Reaper. There were some tributes from the Tribune as part of the paper and I was saddened to see Rick's picture among those spirits had left this Earth. My deepest sympathy for your loss. Lela and Thayne will be sad to hear this news. Our best to you and your children. We will always love you.
Marjorie Hacking Waggoner and Family