Richard M Sorenson passed away suddenly at his home in Herriman, Utah on Monday, February 15th, 2021 at the age of 68.
Richard was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather (Poppa). He is predeceased by his father, Ned, and mother, Hazel. He is survived by his wife Karen, his four sons, Matthew, Jacob, Thomas (Aubrey), and Daniel, his 3 grandchildren, his brothers, Ned (Shirlene), Neil (Caren), Harold (Judy), and Nathan (Brenda), and by his sister Virginia (Kirk) James.
Born October 20th, 1952 to Ned and Hazel (Butterfield) Sorenson, Richard was the third son of what would eventually be six children. Richard would often recount stories of his childhood, to the delight of his listeners.
Richard was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all his life. In June 1973, at almost 21 years old, Richard left to serve a mission in the California East and California Anaheim missions, where he served faithfully until June 1975.
It was in 1975 that Richard met his lifelong sweetheart, Karen Jo Beeny. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on a very snowy December 12th, 1975. They celebrated 45 wonderful years together. They became the loving parents of four sons, Richard (Matthew), Jacob, Thomas, and Daniel.
Though he never served himself, Richard was a passionate supporter of the Armed Services, and was proud of the service of his father and elder brothers, Ned and Neil. He took great joy in taking the veterans in his family and his employees out for lunch each Veteran's Day. He was working to extend this honor to the next generation, when his health began to fail.
Richard worked as a volunteer firefighter and Lieutenant at the Herriman Station for over 20 years. He worked with Salt Lake County Fire to offer EMT training to all the volunteers at the station. He also earned the EMT designation himself.
In his professional life, Richard believed in the value of hard work. He began working at a young age. He was a professional plumber his whole life, earning his plumber's license in 1978. He began working at the University Hospital in 1983. He worked in various capacities there for 32 years. He retired in 2015. He was very proud of the University Hospital as an institution and of the service it provides to the community. He was honored to contribute to the Hospital's mission by helping to maintain its critical systems.
Creating was one of Richard's favorite things. He loved to work with his hands and build things from wood. When faced with a new project or task, Richard was always good at figuring out how things worked and the best way to approach a problem.
Richard enjoyed playing practical jokes, and did so with a straight face. It was often hard for his wife, Karen, to tell if he was joking or not, and his laughter at the reveal was always infectious.
He enjoyed camping/RV-ing and ATV-ing with his family. They had many wonderful trips to Fish Lake in Central Utah, that his sons remember with fondness.
Services will be held Saturday, February 20th, 2021 at the Larkin Mortuary-Riverton, 3688 W 12600 S Riverton, Utah 84065. The viewing will begin at 1pm, funeral services at 2pm. Interment at the Herriman Cemetery to follow at 3:30pm. Flowers may be sent to Larkin Mortuary-Riverton prior to the funeral.
This service can be viewed via Zoom meeting with the following link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83023483534?pwd=SjFXREkwT2JYN0NkT1VYQnhnU083dz09
I was so sorry to hear about Richard. I know what you both have been through. We can be glad that he is not longer suffering, but for the ones who are left it is a great heartache. I send my sympathy to all of the family.
Sorenson Family,
Words cannot express the sorrow that was felt when we learned of Richard’s passing. He is a great man and a wonderful storyteller. We will miss those stories. We are grateful to be part of your forever family.
I want to offer my condolences for the loss of Richard. He and I worked together for several years and I can validate he loved the hospital and the work he had done over the years helping the institution grow and support not jus the community but the making of future physicians to care for the generations to come.
My thoughts and prayers go to the entire family.
Andrew Burkhardt
Karen, we send our thoughts, love and prayers to you and your entire family. Richard was taken from this world at a much too young age. Be grateful for the wonderful memories you will all cherish of your time spent with him. May God watch over all of you and give you strength and courage, and may Richard rest in eternal peace.
I love Richard and appreciated his, always kindness towards me. I pray the lords richest blessings for your family, for the loss and heartache that you feel. God bless.
We are thinking about you and your family at this time.. in hopes that time will heal the sadness you feel, but not lessen the amazing memories that you'll always have.
Please let us know if you need any thing, as we are literally steps away. ..
Karen & family, I send my heartfelt condolences to all of you at this time. I am sorry for your temporary loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you that you will have peace and know that you will be with Richard again. I know Richard is a very special man with a big heart and he loved to help others like was shared at his beautiful services today. I was privlidged to get to know and work with Richard at the University Hospital for many years. I too enjoyed visiting with him about life and family. I worked off site most of the time but always enjoyed visiting with Richard whenever I would come up to the hospital. I remember he often asked if there was anything he could do to help. I enjoyed his sense of humor too. May the Lord hold you in his arms at this difficult time and bring you comfort and peace. With sincere sympathy, Kathryn Jackson