Richard was born on July 2, 1932 in Orange, California to Dewain and Thetis Nelson Greenhalgh. He was a brother to two younger sisters, Merilyn Morgan and Sylvia Hunt. He graduated Orange High School in 1950 and then attended Orange Coast College. Soon after his second year in college he was drafted into the Army to serve his country during the Korean War. Upon his return home he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. While at Brigham Young University, he met his future wife, Luana Glazier. Richard and Luana were married in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1958.
Richard worked in senior management positions at Aerojet, Commander Industries, and Louisiana Pacific Lumber Company. These positions included living in Sacramento, Red Bluff and Eureka, California. Richard was respected by his peers as a leader that always treated people with respect and professionalism. Richard was often referred to as the “Gentle Giant”.
Richard demonstrated the same characteristics of leading people while serving publicly in the communities that he lived. Richard also served in several capacities as a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including as a High Counselor, Bishop and in the Stake Presidency. Richard spent endless hours in service to others.
When Richard and Luana retired, they moved to Arizona to live near their four children and take on the best roles yet, to be full-time grandparents and great-grandparents.
Richard is known for his ability to befriend anyone. There was not a place that he went that people did not immediately feel a connection with him. He was known for being honest in everything he did. He told his family that he always tried to live the principles his parents taught him about doing the right thing, the first time. He said that character is one of the most important things we own. Richard taught people by his actions and the unwavering path in life to what he believed. Above his chair he had a sign that read, “Return with Honor”. Richard truly lived a life of honor to his Heavenly Father, his family and all those he knew.
Richard leaves behind a large posterity. He is survived by a sister, Sylvia Hunt. His children Kimberly Greenhalgh Smith (Scott Smith), Kent Greenhalgh (Brian Roberts), Kevin Greenhalgh (Laura Greenhalgh), Kristin Greenhalgh Crook (Spencer Crook). Richard had 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Greenhalgh family.
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