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Richard Shorthill Obituary
1928 ~ 2012
Richard Warren Shorthill passed away peacefully Thursday morning at the age of 83.
He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Ellen E. Shorthill, his children David W. Shorthill (Patty) and Ann S Frazier as well as his brother Robert H. Shorthill (Rita). He also leaves behind his five grandchildren; Thomas, David, Christopher, Ruthann and Jeffery and 5 beautiful great-grandkids. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth W. Shorthill.
Richard was born December 28, 1928 to Warren and Elizabeth "Pat" Shorthill in Aberdeen Washington, at age 22 he served in the United States Army. He attended Westminster College then transferred to the University of Utah where he earned his PhD in Physics. He taught Physics at the University of Utah as well as Waterford. He received the Benjamin Franklin award for his pioneering work in the field of fiber optics. Richard received numerous other awards and published countless papers and research finding during his career. He also worked with NASA on the Viking program, the Apollo missions to the Moon and the Boeing Company.
He had a love for life and treasured his family; he even had a special place in his heart for his loyal kitty, Luna. He and Ellen traveled the world together, to places like China, Russia and Germany, all in the name of research. He also loved to ski; Alta was the "best place on earth!" He was a part of the Wild old Bunch and taught skiing through the Alta ski school, especially enjoying the children's classes he instructed. He was a 56 year member of the Free Masons.
The family will receive friends for a viewing, Wednesday August 8, 2012 from 6:00-8:00pm and the Funeral services will be held, Thursday August, 9 starting at 10:00am with the services beginning at 11:00am at Evans and Early Mortuary, 574 East 100 South, Salt Lake City. The Interment will be held at Utah Veterans Memorial Park in Bluffdale at 1:00 PM. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.evans-earlymortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Shorthill
David Bearden
December 24, 2020
Dear Ellen and Dr Shorthill's family. I hadn't seen Dr. Shorthill for many years. I was his student at the U where I studied ME. Dr. Shorthill was such a mentor to me, we published a paper together, but I especially appreciated his dry sense of humor. There was a time when I was getting bills from a Summer university program that I didn't think I needed to pay he said to just send them a letter that you've died and that will get them off your back. He was so funny. For many years we would see each other at the IEEE conference (ski conference). There are only a few teachers who you remember and they helped or changed your trajectory- Dr Shorthill was one of the few as he nurtured my interest in space with stories of Viking and Voyager and helped with research opportunities. I now work at NASA jPL working on new spacecraft that have their genesis in things Richard worked on. Miss him.
Ann Shorthill-Frazier
August 25, 2012
Dad, Still can't believe you are gone! I miss you...touching foreheads and saying "I Love You"! You made me stronge and very capable of taking care of myself, by teaching me determination and perserverance, thank you!!
"My Father. To be the daugther of Richard Shorthill was to be protected....guided.....and fasinated.
I loved when he drew cartoons on birthday cards, silly little things that made us laugh. I was always sixteen on every birthday.
My dad was handsome, thats for sure, and loved to dress up...a tux, a bright green jacket at Easter and red plaid at Christmas!!
There was a silly side to him and could make the kids laugh with making a face or howling like a wolf.
One particular time, during a rough time in my life. there was a flood in my basement, the pipes had froze and it was "raining in the kitchen, Mom", water was everywhere. I called my dad..."help me". He was at my door in his doctor's coat, stethascope, hip waiters and his shop vac...."Dr. Shorthill's clean up at your service".
He gave me some advice once....never be on time when meeting a large group of people, that way all eyes will be on you when you arrive and you will have your own grand entrance, I have always had a problem with promptness.
Another helpful hint was, if you need more time to pay your bills, mail your check and don't sign it, you'll get alittle more time when you have to send another one.
I knew no matter what, he would be there for me, walking across hot coals to get there.
Dad always said a pray to us on our birthdays:
Many happy returns on the day of thy birth. May sunshine and gladness be given. May the dear father prepare you on earth for a wonderful birthday day in heaven."
Dad, your are in heaven now and with mother, I take great comfort in that!!!"
Merry Jane Sugden
August 18, 2012
I met you once so did not know you well. But I love your daughter Ann. You raised a loving wonderful daughter. I know you were loved and will forever live in the hearts of all your family.
Me, My Older son Brad & Grandaughter Morgan @ Mom's Funeral
Jeffrey A. Lund
August 14, 2012
Dear David, Patty, Thomas, Christopher and Jeffrey,
Annie, David and Ruthann,.. and Dearest Ellen,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dick was not just my best friend's dad, but a hero, a bona fide genius and in his actions with me, a great "impromtu/off-beat"comedian. It strikes me as ironic that he passed just as one of his life's greatest dream/projects was actually finally being accomplished with the Mars landing. Perhaps he has a better view of it all now than we do. The moon landing, as I recall, was not nearly as important to him.
He was always moving on to the next star, planet or "trajectory", whether peering through his telescope on Alkai Point, or in his life, as he has now.
I only heard of his passing last week from my brother Jonathan.
I am very sorry for your loss. I wish I could have attended. Just to see and meet you all after such a long time. The news was too late and (my life journeys from SLC to Laguna and now, in Phoenix) prevented that.
David was my first and best friend from childhood because Ruth was the very dearest friend my mom "Louli" ever had. They met at South High and attended Westminster College together. (Ruth met Dick at South too, I think), Then my mom met my father, who had grown up across the street from Westminster.
David and I were our mothers' first-born sons, arriving on this planet, just weeks apart. Ruth's sweet Christ-like unconditional love and faith, always reminded me so much of my mom's- Arden Lou Hunt Lund. My mom passed away just over a year ago- Two years and two days after my dear dad Allan G. Lund died.
My parents attended the same church as Dick and Ruth (and oddly, the same one that I attend now). My parents loved going out dancing and dining with Dick and Ruth in the early years, and when Dick moved back to Utah, they loved going out with Dick and sweet Ellen, another dear friend of Ruth's and my mom's.
I am still recovering in many ways, from my parents' deaths and probably always will be.
So, please know that I genuinely do have, a deep empathic sensibility of how David, Annie, Ellen, your children, and grand children- Friends and families- Feel at this sad time. I only wish Allen and Lou were still here to comfort Ellen... and all of you.
David will always be the earliest, best, electronically-compatibly"geeky" friend I have ever had in my life.
Sometimes our earliest friends, especially those we have in childhood and high school, are the ones we most profoundly remember for the rest of our lives. Even if we lose touch for a while later on.
As attested by our parents' long friendship and in some early, yet very lasting ways, by us, their children.
My prayers and deepest love are with you all.
With Sincere Sympathy and Fondest Affection,
Jeffrey Allan Lund (Phoenix, Arizona)
([email protected])
Hope we can be in touch more.
"In the living years"
August 6, 2012
Aunt Ellen,
I am so sorry uncle Dick is gone. I wish I could be there and give you a great big hug but I will not be able to come, I love you dearly! Gladys
Ginny Buckley-Kessler
August 6, 2012
David & Patty,
Very sorry for your loss. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.
August 5, 2012
Ellen I am sorry to hear of your husband. Sorry to contact you this way but I have not hear from you in years and I do not have your phone # or address.
Please contact me. Wilma Harris [email protected] 785-537-1368 or
1320 El Paso, Manhattan, KS 66502
Papa and Gauge
Ruthann Hertel
August 5, 2012
Papa,
I miss you already. The time has not been long, but my heart is heavy, I know you are not gone. My mind it full of love and memories that we shared, from when I was little to last Thursday when I held your hand and you told me that you loved me. I will love you forever and know that you are around me always. In my heart you will be, but also in the suns' warmth on my face, the snow falling on the trees, and the moon shining brightly in the star filled sky. For you are not gone but with me always.
Forever - your granddaughter
Ruthy
Grant and Valerie Gudmundson
August 5, 2012
Wally, our depest sympathy and love go to you and your family. You have been a stand-up son and have been a great example to me.
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