Alvin Richer

Alvin Richer set a great example. He showed us our potential, set the bar high, expected us to reach it and showed us how. He did not expect more from us than we were able to give, but he did expect all that we could give. He never accepted average or mediocre performance. We were better than that and could do better. He didn’t berate us or belittle us. He showed us respect but was disappointed when we didn’t work and perform to our potential.

Al was a man of enormous integrity, discipline, and empathy. His legacy will endure in the lives of those he mentored. We honor his achievements and great success. We will miss him.

Al purchased Arnold Machinery Company on October 1, 1984. At that time the Company had eight branches and 144 associates. With Al at the helm Arnold Machinery Company made 22 business acquisitions. Now there are thirty-one branches in twenty one cities in ten western and Midwestern states with over 500 associates. He instituted his management philosophy which is Customer Service, Controls, Incentives, and Communication. At the June 1986 strategic planning meeting he introduced Silver Service. It was later trademarked along with Customer Satisfaction is Our Only Policy.

Al made Arnold Machinery Company a leader in the industry. He served as the president of Associated Equipment Distributors in 1998. He very proudly completed his book, Silver Service, The Foundation of a Management Philosophy, in 2013.

We grieve the loss of Alvin Richer and honor his achievements and contributions to the community and to Arnold Machinery Company.

He was born in New York and received his Bachelor’s degree and an honorary Doctorate of Management degree from Westminster College. He served on the board of trustees of Westminster College from 2004 to 2014. For his many contributions to the college, the main square at the college was named the Al and Helene Richer Commons.

He was additionally a member of the Board of Directors of the Utah Opera and provided substantial financial contributions to the Intermountain Medical Center and the Huntsman Cancer Institute for cancer research.

He is survived by Helene Richer, his wife of 66 years and his two sons Arnold Richer and Robert Richer. He is also survived by two grandchildren and a great grandson.

A memorial Service will be held in Alvin Richer’s honor at the Alta Club, 100 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah on Monday December 12, 2016 beginning at 4:00 PM.

In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to Huntsman Cancer Institute (2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112) for bladder cancer research in the name of Alvin Richer.