Richard Allen Aldous

Richard Allen Aldous was born January 8, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to June Orrock Aldous and Heber Frost Aldous.  He attended East High School and the University of Utah and completed an LDS mission to the US Eastern States.  Richard married LaRee Baird on September 10, 1954 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  LaRee remained the light of his life for 56 years until her death in 2011; together they raised six children.   Richard graduated from the University of Utah Medical School and completed residency training in ophthalmology at the University of California San Francisco.  He served as a captain in the US Air Force at Châteauroux-Déols Air Base (France), Évreux-Fauville Air Base (France) and Travis Air Force Base (California).  He then returned to Salt Lake City, where he established a private ophthalmology practice and consulted at the Salt Lake Clinic and the University of Utah Moran Eye Center.

Richard loved his work and devoted long hours to patient care.  At the same time, he always made time for family.  He particularly enjoyed hiking, camping, skiing, and bird watching and instilled in his children a great love of the outdoors.  He gladly served in various LDS Church callings including many enthusiastic years as a scoutmaster, receiving the Silver Beaver Award for his impact on the lives of youth through distinguished service.  Richard was beloved by family and friends for his enthusiasm, intelligence, curiosity, kindness, and sense of humor.  He provided unfailing support and encouragement for his family through good times and adversity.  

Richard died peacefully in his home on March 1, 2017.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Harold Eugene Aldous.  He is survived by his sister Carol (Stan) Petersen and sister-in-law Ellen Cannon and by his children Kathleen Aldous, Julie (Ed) Johnson, Michael (Jenifer) Aldous, Annette Aldous (Elliot Holar), Sharon (Scott) Bradford, and John (Jeanette) Aldous.  He and LaRee have 18 beloved grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  Viewings will be held on March 9th from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Russon Brothers Mortuary (255 S. 200 E. SLC) and on March 10th from 9:30-10:30 am at the Foothill 7th Ward Chapel (2215 E. Roosevelt Ave. SLC). Funeral services will be held at the Foothill 7th Ward Chapel on March 10th at 11:00 am.  Additional information can be found at slc@russonmortuary.com.