09-03-2024 - Richard “Ric” Widerburg passed away 12 August 2024
Murray, UT-Richard "Ric" Widerburg passed away on August 12, 2024, in the arms of his loving wife, Leigh. He was born on March 31, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Delbert Richard Widerburg and Eunice May Widerburg. He grew up in Salt Lake where he became an Eagle Scout. Ric graduated from Olympus High School where he began dating the love of his life, Leigh (Berger). They graduated from Dixie College in 1969, after which Ric served in the California National Guard, transferring to the Army Reserves at Fort Douglas, Utah. Ric and Leigh were married on January 15, 1971, and enjoyed 53 blissful years together.
Ric had a vibrant personality, full of enthusiasm, excitement and energy. His love of adventure and can-do attitude led him to race motorcross and try to get to the top of Widow Maker Hill. He loved motorcycles and had a Harley Davidson for most of his life.
He was also a desert rat and loved Moab, Canyonlands and all the national parks. He loved hiking in the primitive areas in Utah and did the Maze and the Mountain Man Trail along with shorter trails exploring Anasazi ruins in Utah and Colorado.
Ric loved the mountains and we have beautiful memories of him fly fishing the rivers of Utah, Montana and Wyoming. He loved camping in Huntington Canyon by the river and "dropping a line" whenever he thought they were biting. He was a bow hunter and enjoyed many outings with the family over the years scouting deer.
He was interested in sports of all kinds and played softball, tennis and golf. He was a devoted Dolphins fan, Dodgers fan and Utah football fan. He had season tickets to the "Utes" for many years and cheered them on in Las Vegas when they won the Pac-12 Championship.
In 1991 he founded Widco Systems, Inc., a successful construction company that his son, Nathan, owns today. His sense of loyalty, integrity and fairness gained him respect throughout the construction community. He was proud that most Widco employees continued with them for many years.
But Ric's greatest pride and joy was his family. He loved and protected them fiercely. He was an affectionate father and grandfather and never missed a chance to coach his sons' baseball or soccer teams. He spent countless hours competing with his boys at anything and everything. As a grandpa he rarely missed an opportunity to golf with Bode or play a little 1 on 1 with Noah on the hoop out back. He jumped at the opportunity to coach Bode to all state 5A finish in the high school golf state tournament Bode's junior year. He built many lasting memories for them to cherish during the coming years. They were the light of his life.
Ric is survived by his soul mate and wife, Leigh, his son Dustin, son and daughter (in-law) Nathan and Wendy, and grandsons Bode and Noah. His sense of humor and teasing personality lives on in them.
In lieu of flowers spend some time with those you love, doing something you love to do, and think of him.
"Love is a happy feeling that stays inside your heart for the rest of your life." -Joan Walsh Anglund
11-21-2022 - Classmate Lawrence “Dean” White passed away November 12, 2022
St. George, UT- I left ever so quietly on Saturday the 12th of November. I would have preferred it be Friday the 13th because that was a lucky day for me. I asked my beloved Kaye to marry me on Friday the 13th back in '68, and we waited until the next Friday the 13th in June of '69, to marry. She was my high school sweetheart, the love and my life, my constant, caring companion. From that marriage, I have left a legacy of children and grandchildren whom I reluctantly leave, but know my spirit, my love of nature, good literature, music, and the Utah Jazz lives on in them.
I was born Lawrence Dean White on December 3rd, 1948, to Bonnie and Woodrow White. I go by Dean, or my nickname "Woody" which I inherited from my dad after managing our family business "Bonwood" Bowl (named in honor of my parents) for many years. I loved the people, both working with them and bowling with them. The Saturday Juniors, Bowl for the Cure, the Nisei league, the special needs groups, The Christmas Sub for Santa events brought me tremendous joy In 2010 I was honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving the GSLBA Special Service Award. Thanks to Todd and Heidi for taking up the Bonwood torch.
Music was one of my passions. In my hippie years I played with a band called "Rocky Mountain Splendor." I loved our gigs and the guys. We were lifelong friends. Working a day job was okay, but it never diminished my musical aspirations. In my golden years I produced a CD called "In My Room." Special thanks to Ryan Miller, Emily Miller, Jaymes Silver, Sabina Ulleryd, and Brittany Stephenson for their help on this project.
I instilled a love of camping, fishing, hiking, campfires, wood chopping, Sunday morning scones and trout at our Christmas Meadows family campsite. Everyone was welcome at our campfire. My kids and grandkids still make an annual trek to the mountains. Look for me there as you raft down the stream, watch a moose meander through the meadow and sit by the campfire.
Our family also frequented Laguna Beach and Disneyland. My beloved Kaye and I honeymooned there in 1969 and began taking our kids there when they were very young. It is my great joy to have travelled there later in life with my kids and grandkids. Look for me at the top of the hill on Splash Mountain, in the pilot's seat of the Millennium Falcon, and doing the Goofy dance in Adventureland.
Then there are the cabin days - life at Casablanca. Those days and memories will never end! Our last family party extraordinaire--when the kids did every holiday we had missed due to the COVID beast-- meant the world to me. That memory will be etched in our hearts forever - glad I held on to share that special weekend with my beloved family.
I tried to live simply, love beauty, and celebrate joy. My sense of humor was palpable. It was the small things that brought me pleasure--watching the Jazz with my grandsons, going to soccer games to watch my grandkids, taking the whole family to REAL games, or catching a concert together. We loved playing cards, games at the cabin, ATV rides, anything we could celebrate and do as a family. But I loved my quiet time too--reading my books, playing the piano or guitar, listening to music and peering out the cabin window from my upstairs vantage point to enjoy God's splendor--the sunsets, the rainfall, thunder, and lightning! Oh, so spectacular!
I have closed up the cabin for my last time, but my presence will remain. Watch for me in the clouds or in a soaring hawk, or the hummingbird fray. I loved the many visitors, especially those of you that came constantly towards the end (you are the salt of the earth). In the end, my body was weak, but my mind and spirit remained strong. Be thankful, be grateful, be kind and optimistic. I have shown you what life is truly about.
I am survived by my wife Kaye of 53 years. My daughter Brittany (Jeff and his parents Gary and Jean), my son Todd, my daughter Heidi (Rob), my honorary daughter Diana. My grandkids, Josh, Chris (Kenna), Laura, and Ovi. My siblings, Matt (Jill), Emma (Guy), Scott (Melanie) and Liz (Dave) and all their kids and grands. My in-laws - JoAnn, Tom, Jdee (Susy) and all their kids and grands. And finally, there's Sugar. Please carry on in my absence and watch over Kaye. I have loved you all, and I am ready for my next adventure. Namaste, Woody
Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sandy (8575 S. 700 E.) on Saturday November 26 at 2:00 pm. In traditional Dean "fashion", casual attire is encouraged.
Streaming service available at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - YouTube
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, 2022.
06-28-2022 - Classmate Susan Bale passed away June 14, 2022
SUSAN BALE OBITUARY
Susan Lee Bale
1949 ~ 2022
Salt Lake City, Utah—Susan Bale died peacefully June 14, 2022 after her long battle with MS. She was born April 12, 1949 to Dr. Dennis and Dorothy Bale in SLC, Utah.
She graduated from Olympus High School and then the U of U in 1971. She was a member of Phi Mu sorority where she served as president. After graduating from the U, she moved to California where she had a long and successful career in the mortgage banking industry. Susan traveled all over the world enjoying live theatre, fine art, fine cuisine, and high fashion.
She is survived by her mother, Dorothy Bale (98), SLC, UT; sister, Denise Bale, AZ; nephew and family, Dave Vega, Genevieve, Dante and Sophie, AZ.; and her two dearest friends of 54 years, Susan Draney Baker and Susan Hessler.
At Susan's request there will be no service. She donated her body for research to the U of U School of Medicine.
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Jun. 27 to Jul. 5, 2022.
