Kenneth Rigtrup

Born March 13, 1936 to Robert and Bessie Rigtrup of Burley, Idaho who preceded him in death along with his eternal bride of 52 years, Susanne Joan Remund and his siblings Afton Morgan, Paul, and Howard. Kenneth is survived by his children Mark (Mily), Michael (Trudy), Scott, Melissa (Stan) Davis, Jennifer (Jason) Kimball, fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

As a youth, Kenneth had many accomplishments including First Chair clarinet, pep band President, and school paper Associate Editor. He also participated in numerous clubs including the Thespian Club and while he wasn’t very athletic, he was one of the better table tennis players in his school.

At age 18, Kenneth’s United States Air Force career was abruptly ended after Basic Training in 1954 when he contracted Polio, which left him in a wheelchair. He was never physically tall in stature, as denoted by his childhood nickname “Monk”, but was instead a gentle giant of heart. He graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1962 with a Juris Doctor Degree. In 1964 Kenneth quite literally swept the elegant beauty Susanne Joan Remund off her long legs and in to his lap; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

Kenneth was a voracious reader deriving great pleasure and satisfaction from his books and newspaper daily. He was an avid sports fan and could be found watching professional basketball, golf and tennis quite often. He also held University of Utah football and basketball season tickets for many years and attended religiously. Go Utes!

Professionally, Kenneth held numerous positions including Utah Supreme Court Clerk, 1962; Private Law Practitioner, 1962-1972; Industrial Commission Administrative Law Judge, 1972-1977; Public Service Commissioner, 1977-1980; Third District Court Judge, 1980-1997; Utah Court Justices Senior Judge, since 1997, Senior Judges Board Chairman. After retiring from the bench, he continued in private practice in arbitration and mediation work for numerous years thereafter.

Judge Rigtrup believed strongly that our institutions of law should be institutions of rehabilitation and he worked endlessly in that effort. His strong work ethic and intense desires to serve others brought him home late from the office most nights throughout his professional life. Upon arriving home, Susanne would fix him a plate of leftover dinner that he would eat alone at the kitchen table alongside a tall stack of case files for the next day. Justice and fairness were of utmost importance to Kenneth as he would meticulously read through his files well past the nightly ten o’clock news.

Kenneth was also a crusader and champion for disabled individuals through State and Federal law enactments and amendments regarding specially marked disabled license plates, disability allowance equality and National Park accessibility. He also served on countless State and National committees for disabled individuals that recognized him with a number of accolades because of his boundless contributions.

Of all his greatest achievements, Kenneth was first and foremost, the most loving, kind and generous man to have “rolled” through so many of our lives. He was a devoted friend, neighbor, companion and public servant, whose actions resonated honor, ethics, moral integrity, virtue, faith and selfless service at the deepest human levels. Kenneth’s keen wit, dry humor and constant encouragement will permeate our lives for generations to come as we recall his favorite statement of hope that he would say with a smile, “This too shall pass.”

We would like to express our gratitude to all the caregivers that assisted Kenneth in maintaining his independence. We would also like to thank the neighbors and friends generously giving their time and energy driving Kenneth to appointments, meetings, running errands and grabbing his favorite nightly meal from Burger King.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 21, 2019 at 11 am at the Valley View Twelfth Ward, 2125 E. Evergreen Avenue, Salt Lake City. Friends and family may visit Sunday evening, January 20 from 6-8 pm at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, and from 10-10:45 am prior to the funeral services at the ward.

Interment will immediately follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.