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
