Dennis L Richins

Dennis L. Richins was born during WWII to Don Willard Richins and Ione Wilde. He lived in Coalville with his mom and her parents, while his father was serving our country on the USS Washington in the South Pacific. After the war,  they settled on the Terrace. He attended Ogden City schools, Weber State College, and the University of Phoenix.

After high school, Dennis worked for the forest service, which allowed him to hike all over Utah for the purpose of making maps and models of the mountain areas. He was able to use his skills for automation of the inventory and supplies at Defense Depot Ogden. His managerial skills proved well as he progressed through his career culminating as the Human Resources Director  for the western region including Alaska. He enjoyed traveling through these supply depots, seeing the country, and working with diverse groups of people. He presented team building and experiential events for the personnel at these depots.

After DDOU closed, he started a new career as a mental health counselor working with the courts in Utah and Washington in the family reconciliation programs. He also used horse therapy  counseling troubled teenager at a ranch in southern Utah.

His volunteer work included serving as Child Advocate through the courts, soccer coach, cub scouts, and serving as a guide at the Eccles Wildlife Center. He held many callings in The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called as a seventy and served as missionary for 25 years with his companion, Dallas Buckway.

Between working at the forest service and DDO, Dennis worked 6 months at IRS with Suzanne. On the last day of the tax season when she was furloughed. Denny followed her out to the car and used the following pick-up line. I know you are waiting for a missionary, but I always wanted to go to church and did not have anyone to take me. Would you take me to church until your missionary comes home?

He is survived by his wife: Suzanne Moss Richins, and chidren: Jenifer (Richard) Gray, Analee Marston, and Quinn (Wendy) Richins. His grandchildren: Matthus (Jordan) Richins, Taysia and Takari Gray; Samuel, Emma, Grace, and Max Marston; Sydney Jones; Brothers: Bruce (Susan) and David (Rochelle) Richins and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also survived by the Easter and Cindy Niko and their children.

Dennis L. Richins was born during WWII to Don Willard Richins and Ione Wilde. He lived in Coalville, while his father was serving our country on the USS Washington in the South Pacific, with his mom and her parents. After the war,  they settled on the Terrace. He missed Coalville so much he would hop  a train and go back up the canyon to see his cousins often without telling his mom. To his delight he spent the summers riding horses, fishing and being up to no good with his cousins that he loved. They were a proud bunch of juvenile delinquents.

Dennis worked for the forest service because it allowed him to enjoy hiking all over Utah.  He took a job at Defense Depot Ogden which allowed him the ability to be home and available for every single one of his family’s needs, large or small, including his children, his parents, his aunts and uncles and any other delinquents that might need a helping hand. This gave him the fortitude needed to interact with the other humans he was forced to deal with. He would have much preferred to continue working in the forest to be at one with nature but it was more important to him to have a job where he could be there for his family at the drop of a hat.

When DDO closed, he happily took early retirement because again this allowed him to spend more time with his family and there was nothing more important to him. As his family’s needs changed and no longer required as much of his time and attention, he sought out other troubled delinquents and learned he could help them deal with other humans in a positive way.

Dennis has a rich heritage of shenanigans. The Richins take credit for the most prestigious  line of delinquents. His Uncle Lee taught him from an early age the importance of tom foolery. His children are forever in Lee’s debt for instilling these values in their dad which have been and will continue to be passed on to his posterity.

Dennis had many interests and was very artistic. He used his artistic talents to design landscapes so others could enjoy nature the same way he did.  He loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing,  and hiking with friends and family but he loved it most when he was with the very best company, himself.  During his final hours he told us he should be fishing on a stream.

Dennis wants you all to know “Only you can decide what you can’t do!”

“Everybody get on with it, I got this.”

This obituary was brought to you directly from Dennis and the rest of the clan hanging out and enjoying their reunion on the other side.

Dennis will have his wish granted to be laid to rest with some of the best already residing in the Henefer Cemetery including his Great Grandpa Thomas Leonard Richins and his Great Great Grandpa Leonard Richins.