Richard Vaughn Stam

1925 ~ 2021

Service:

Feb. 16, 2021
12:00 PM
260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Our wonderful father, grandfather and grandpa-great graduated earth school and passed on to join his sweet wife, parents, siblings and friends on February 1, 2021 at the age of 95. He lived a long, happy, adventurous and fulfilling life and said he’d love to do it all again!
Dick was born December 26, 1925 to Peter William and Myra Manning Williams Stam and was the 10th of 11 children. He grew up on the avenues with his 9 living siblings that taught him from a very small age everything they knew. He learned plumbing from Joe, Art Design from Myron and Mechanics from Marv, just to name a few. Dad loved to learn and became very good at all of them. He especially had a love for Mechanics. He helped Marv build their first “car” from an old washing machine engine at age 4. He drove his first car with the help of his sister Barbara at age 6. She ran the pedals, while he did the steering. He bought his first car at age 12.
Dad was taught by his father that if he learned how to work, he would never have to worry. Dad took it to heart and excelled in almost everything he did, and always did it the absolute very best he could. Dad loved cars and at age 16 started his own business of customizing them with dual pipes and fancy new paint. People came from all around to have dad fix up their cars because he was the best. Dick always had the best looking, best sounding and fastest car. He never lost a race. (Back then the police would block off Foothill Blvd on Sunday mornings and let them race for 2-3 hours.) It was said he always won because he knew how to speed shift, but he humbly said he never had to speed shift because he was always so far ahead.
Dad had many talents. He loved music and sang and played the drums. He played in a band and when some of the Big Bands came to Salt Lake he was often asked to sit in and play with them. He attended East High School and after graduation, his shop teacher asked him to help him build an airplane. Dad was excited to do it and when they finished, they flew in it all around the Salt Lake Valley. Dad wrote and directed many plays that were performed around Salt Lake. He was always up for a good time and made sure everyone had fun at the many parties that he was in charge of. He was also a talented artist. Dad and a friend joined the Merchant Marines and sailed from San Francisco to Louisiana through the Panama Canal. One of the highlights was the day they reeled in a 10’ shark.
After returning from the Merchant Marines, Dick bought and ran his own service station and also painted cars. Paul Paulsen, owner of Paulsen Construction Co. came by the station and asked Dick if he would like to come to work for him. He told Dick that someone had told him that he should hire Dick because he was a “Mechanical Genius.” Dick said to Mr. Paulsen that if he would pay him more than he made at the service station that he had a deal. At age 22 Dick started his career with Paulsen Construction that lasted 40 years. When Dick was 24, Paulsen Construction bought the first crane in the state of Utah and asked Dick if he would like to run it. Of course, Dick said yes and was the first Crane operator in Utah. He loved his work. Some of the jobs he worked on were: The Original Salt Palace, SL Temple Annex, the Control Tower at the SLC Airport, the bridges on I-15, 180 miles of High Voltage Electrical Towers across the Teton Mountains, Derailed trains, placing the Christus Statue in the Visitors Center on Temple Square, City Creek Water Treatment Plant, moving and resetting Eagle Gate, moving Brigham Young’s House from Liberty Park, the Cathedral of the Madeline plus crane work on hundreds of buildings. It was reported in the newspaper that he was the “Best Crane Operator this side of the Mississippi River” and named the “Legend” by the OE Union and his peers. He was proud to say, “he never had any kind of accident!”
Dick met and married the love of his life, Muriel Dahle in Salt Lake City and they were married 64 years before her death in 2012. He said she was the prettiest girl he ever saw. They were sealed in the SL Temple on June 13, 1955. They raised 5 children and approx. 30 foster children. They loved to travel and spent their retirement years traveling to Europe and Hawaii and taking their motorhome and boat to go fishing at Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge and Soldier Creek with family and friends.
Dick was a High Priest and held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elders Quorum President, Activities Chairman, Cub Scout Pack Leader of the largest Cub pack ever in the Salt Lake Valley, and working with, teaching and coaching the youth were some of his favorites. He was an avid Jazz Fan and spent his last 12 Birthdays in a suite with his family at the Jazz game where the Jazz Bear would come to wish him Happy Birthday and cover him with Silly String.
Dick is survived by his children, Loralee (Jim) Hanson, Lon Stam, Jillyn Best, Darren (Roseann) Stam, Renee Stam, 27 Grandchildren and 37 Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel, a daughter Jenee and a grandson Andrew, his parents and all of his siblings and their spouses, and 2 sisters he never knew. We always told him he was, “Last the Best of all the Game,” and he truly was!
We want to extend a special thank you to April Anderson, whom dad adored, Louise Fitzgerald, Debi Poulsen and the kind nurses and aides at Bristol Hospice and Ashford Care for their loving service to our dad. We love and miss you dad but know you are together again, holding hands with mom, until we meet again.
A Viewing will be Monday, February 15, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. at the Cottonwood Heights 3rd Ward, 6890 S. Whitmore Way (2225 E.) Cottonwood Heights, UT.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 12:00 Noon at the Larkin Funeral Home, 260 E. South Temple, SLC, UT for family and close friends. To view the service recording please click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aZSOQalOGoRXvnob0RaydQZb_oDwgFQC8Bx8Z9KFM5bc2n6qCt9ygmg_473iaifV.68hnHwDf9fo2HnvA





Guestbook/Condolences

Richard was one of the best operators in the crane industry. He set a great example both in work and character. I worked with him on several occasions and always enjoyed the time spent with him and admired his craft.
Sorry Lon for your loss but I know that you will follow in his footsteps being a good man too, and always have his memories with you.
Craig


- Craig Lever

so

Very sorry to hear of your loss. He was the best neighbor we have ever had. Luna Circle will miss him. Thank you for stories & advice, always a smile. The Melvilles


- Dave and Yukie Melville

Uncle Dick was my favorite uncle! I have so many memories of him. When he was maybe 18 and playing the drum in a band, he would often sing "That Old Black Magic" beautifully and I thought he was awesome. He was always fun, loved to laugh and will be so missed by his children and family. He lived life to the fullest.


- Sharron Stam Collins

I very much admired Dick. He always seemed so positive and upbeat. He was a great friend to my parents. They thought very highly of him and thoroughly enjoyed his company. He lived a wonderful long life and will be missed by many.


- Terry Meier

Mono, there’s only a few people that will remember your nickname. I’m saddened by your passing, but know you’re in a glorious, beautiful and happy place. You were loved by all of your players, and everyone around you ❤️. You taught me more than just how to play basketball, but how to accept everyone, no matter their faith. Blessings to your family at this difficult time. You will live in my heart always. God bless. 🙏


- John Katter

Dick and Muriel will forever remain in our hearts. For all the years I had the privilege of spending in their home as a Visiting Teacher and later as a friend, they changed my life forever. Sending our love to both of you. Hope to meet you again in Heaven.


- Karla Hortin

Hearing the stories of how Grandpa Stam was as a husband, father and grandfather inspires me to be better. An incredible legacy left by an incredible man.


- Brad Jenson

We are saddened at the loss of our friend and neighbor of over 50 years. We have so many fond memories of Dick and can’t even begin to count the number of times he came to our aid to fix this or that. He loved to tell the story about Nancy catching the biggest fish on a trip to Lake Powell. Our prayers are with the family. May you feel the encircling arms of the Savior’s love and may you find comfort in the knowledge that life is eternal. We have been blessed to have him in our life.


- Chuck and Nancy Rose

Dear Loralee, Lon, Jill, Darren, and Renee, and families!
I am sad I missed the viewing last night, and the opportunity to see each of you! I was exposed to Covid, and didn’t feel good yesterday - didn’t want to share any germs! I watched the funeral and loved remembering so many wonderful things about your parents and your family. The funeral was so nice - I was grateful to be part of it. Thank you for sharing so much with us through the years. With love, Jean Goff


- Jean Goff

Dear Stam family,

The funeral was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. May God’s peace and wonderful memories continue to bless your lives.

With love,
Chaplain Lora Black
Bristol Hospice


- Chaplain Lora Black