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Richard Rallison Obituary
Born Dec. 24, 1945, at Logan Regional Hospital, he was the youngest son of Robert Leo and Lucile Rallison. A longtime resident of Cache Valley, Richard graduated from Logan High School in 1964. Richard went on to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Utah.
Richard married Ruth Napp on Nov. 26, 1974, and the couple was sealed on June 21, 1977, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They have three children, Ray, Robert and Regan.
An avid inventor and pioneer in the field of optics, he contributed to projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope, the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, the optical disc used in bar-code scanners, as well as many other projects involving holography. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Electro-Optical Engineering from Utah State University in 1995 for his accomplishments.
Richard always had an adventurous spirit and could often be found riding his motorcycle around hairpin curves, wind-surfing, or flying whatever aircraft he happened to own at the time. The sound of his various aircrafts was a noise his neighbors had grown accustomed to over the years. His love of adventure, his sense of humor and his generosity will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, sons Ray (Heidi), of Seattle, Wash.; Robert (Tori), Nibley, Utah; and his daughter Regan Saunders (Christian), Logan, Utah; grandchildren, Sherice, Gabriele, Brianna, and Jack Rallison; brothers Robert E. Rallison (Lorraine, Deceased), Marvin (Beth), Salt Lake City; sisters Anna Lu LaPray (Tony), Highland; Mareta, Pittsburg, Penn.; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, Bernice (Larchide), and Orval Rallison (Vaunda).
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, Sept., 21, at the Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. in Logan from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the Paradise 2nd ward chapel on Wednesday Sept. 22, beginning at noon, with a viewing prior from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net.
A few paragraphs is hardly enough to sum up a lifetime of achievements; for more about Richard, visit www.ralcon.com or www.facebook.com/richard.rallison.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Rallison
Your mum
June 5, 2023
He was a great man, my uncle I love him very dearly,
Cheryl Whitelaw
September 13, 2019
We recently had a Logan High Class of 64 reunion, and Richard and Ruth are definitely missed. I thought Richard was invincible and think of him skiing, motorcycling, flying (crashing), paragliding, organizing events, and living an active, fun life. He was a great example to us. Legacy reminded me of the anniversary of his passingbut he is not forgotten. Love to his family and other friends.
Gaylord Moss
October 18, 2010
What a pleasure it always gave me to meet Richard at conferences. His warm and friendly enthusiasm along with the recounting of his latest brilliant technical achievements was a highlight of every meeting. Richard Rallison was one of those special people who combined genius with the best of generous humanity. I am one of many who will miss him very much.
Sharon McCormack
October 3, 2010
Rich was a person I was always happy to see. He shared his enthusiasm and always had time to be friendly. He lived life to the fullest and is a stellar example of having had a successful life.
He will live on in my memories.
My deep condolences are sympathetic as my mother recently passed.
Relda Jacobson
September 26, 2010
Ruth,
Richard,Zach and I were greatly saddened to hear of your loss. Zach and I especially have fond memories of you and Richard both while we were working there at the Cracker Barrel. We want you to know that we are thinking of you and your family at this time.
Much love to you all.
Relda, Richard and Zachary Jacobson
Don Broadbent
September 23, 2010
Rich set the standard for holography and enjoying family and life. Rest in peace Rich. Seems like he went the way he would have wanted to.
Don Broadbent
September 23, 2010
What a great funeral! It is a real tribute to Rich to see all the Logan High grads come from all over the state to grieve with Ruth, Ray, Robert, and Reagan and pay honor to such a loving, caring man. Rich was truly a friend to all people he encountered.
Thanks, Rich for all you taught us and all the fun along the way.
Dennis Yeates
Centerville UT
Jeffrey Murray
September 22, 2010
He was the best.
Jennipher Hulse
September 22, 2010
Rob and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your father. Know that I am thinking of you and your family and praying for you all.
September 22, 2010
Ray---I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you.
Kevin Gunnell
Corvallis, OR
MIchael Sacchitella
September 22, 2010
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers at this time of your great loss. Richard was an inspiration and role model to me and all blessed enough to have worked along side him. In addition to being a pioneer in so many aspects of optics, he had an amazing gift as a teacher. His passion inspired many professional pursuits and will live on in our memories. I will always cherish the memories of time I spent working with Dr Rallison. Rich also gets a western NY nod for making absolutely THE BEST apple cider on the planet !
Kathy Rose
September 22, 2010
Richard will always mean the world to me, my "brother", my best friend. I will cherish memories always. My most sincere sympathies to you and your entire family. He was very special to all who knew him.
Michael Teitel
September 22, 2010
Coming to Paradise to work with Rich was an experience. Rich's innovative work in the cave was mixed with fun. A day of skiing or a flight in an ultra light. Rich will truely be missed.
Monica Myers
September 22, 2010
Ruth, Ray, Robert and Reagan - words can not express how sorry I was to hear of the passing of your dad and husband. I will always remember him as the man who opened his home to all of us in high school to hang out sometimes for days on end - and never complained. Your home was always a fun loving place to be and a big part of that was him. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers as you face this most difficult time. May the memories that you have sustain you through the grief and sorrow that your feeling. All my love....
Monte Cook
September 21, 2010
Ruth,
I heard about Richard's passing this afternoon and wanted to send my condolences & to let you know what a blessing it has been to know you both.
Suzy LaPray Schwanke
September 21, 2010
Uncle Richard was my favorite Uncle.
He was kinda like a kid in a grown up body. I remember, being outside one day when I was young and hearing this loud noise coming out of the sky. I looked up and saw some kind of flying machine. I watched as it landed in a field just outside our home. I was a little scared, but then out popped Uncle Richard! I thought it was the coolest thing ever.
This past summer, he would stop at my Moms house and stay over night in his trailer. It was so fun to talk to him and here his adventures. He will be missed.
My prayers are with you and your family.
September 21, 2010
Rich was a remarkable inventor and a real pioneer in many fields. He will be remembered as a legend in diffractive optics. He always surprised us with his stories, his passion, his adventures with flying machines and when he raised rabbits.
His way to approach Optics was brilliant, often marked with a surprising and clever touch. He understood first complex mechanisms in photosensitive materials and quickly became one of the major players in the early days of holography. . And, more important, he was a pleasant person to talk to and to be with.
He left us too soon, and this is a great loss for many people.
Ruth, I don't know if this can help finding some comfort, but you must know that we will deeply miss Rich.
Jean-Marc Fournier, Pouilley-les-Vignes, France.
dale broberg
September 21, 2010
I'm sitting here trying to grasp what this means to me. I wrote some things down, but I'm not sure they made it to the guest book, so, here goes again. If Rich was around, he'd show me how to fix whatever it was I did wrong.
I've read the comments of others and there is no doubt that Richard's life touched on the lives of many, one might say billions when we include his elegant research and contributions to lasers, scanners and setting the standards of living, really living, life. His was a life well played.
I met Rich when I was five years old, at the Wilson elementary school in Logan. became and remained friends for 59 years.
There were clues to his genius back in grade school. The one that I remember most was in the third or fourth grade. One of our classmates brought a model boat to school, to share with the class during show and tell. It was a working model, with a motor, batteries and rudder. This classmate had received it from his brother who was stationed in Japan. All the boys were envious, I wanted one. So did Rich. I wished for one, Rich went off and built one just like it. brought it to school a week later to share. Looking back, I see this was an omen of the future. He did not see life as a spectator event. He saw life as something to be lived. and he did. We watched him grow way beyond the boundaries of Logan, and then return. If he wanted something, or thought of something, he went out and tried it. Hang-gliders, motorcycles, helicopters, white water rafting,and , yes, unfortunately, paragliding. He loved to fly, to soar, like in the song about wind beneath his wings. There are so many memories, most from days as young men, but a few from the present.
Someone once said that the only way to remove the sorrow that comes from a person dying, is to remove the love that came from their living.... and he loved living. His passing marks a passage for us all and we will never meet another like him. How fortunate we were to know this humble , brilliant person.
Travel well my old friend, and, enjoy the new wings.
db
Dale Broberg
September 21, 2010
To the four "R's" that remain from the Rallison family, Ruth, Ray, Robert and Regan, (Is there a theme here?) Someone once said that the only way you can remove the sorrow that comes from a person dying, is to remove the love that came from their living.... and....he loved living.... I knew Richard from the old Wilson School and kindergarten to present. Shared many moments and, like many other classmates, watched him grow way beyond the limits of Cache Valley and then return. You all know, first hand, first family, about Rich's creative abilities. I have a memory from the third or fourth grade, Again, at the Wilson Elementary School. Each week, we had , on Wednesdays, what we called "Sharing", also known as "Show and Tell' There was a kid in our class, named Buddy, his real name escapes me.. Buddy brought to "show and tell" ,or "sharing", a small wooden boat, with a motor and batteries. A working model that his brother sent him from Japan. I thought it was neat, or keen, words we used back then. I wished I had one, so did Rich. Difference was, I wished, Rich built his owm model, brought it to "show and tell" the next week and shared it with everyone. I'm passing this on because I think it defines Rich, from a very early age. He didn't just wish and watch things happen, he made things happen. The old Austin Healey sports car that had been rear-ended. I think he got it for nothing. He welded a fabricated hood from another car on the back, fired it up and headed off to San Francisco for the "Summer of Love" back in the 60's. He was not a spectator, he was a player more than anyone I have ever met. Then there were the "Light Shows" he would produce for local rock bands in what he later described as his dark days. and there was his laser research that everyone knows about. He wanted to fly so, what did he do? he built a helicopter. When the helicopter crashed, he turned to paragliding and continued to soar above us all. keeping the "Wind beneath his wings" as the song goes. I would argue all his days were creative days. A quiet genius who has now left the building, and us, but while he was here, he offered, and gave us all so much. If you knew Rich, you are a better person because of it.
I feel so empty.....
Travel well my old friend. and enjoy your new wings.
Joey LaPray Woods
September 21, 2010
Everyone should have an Uncle Richard in their lives. I have good memories of those little round holographs he would give us as children (we got the seconds). I kept them safe in my little jewelry box, they were a real treasure. I was always proud to tell people about my Uncle the inventor. I was glad this last summer while my family was visiting from Arizona my kids had a chance to talk with Uncle Richard when he came to stay at my mom's house in his trailer. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Geary Schwemmer
September 21, 2010
Dear Ruth, Ray, Robert, and Regan,
I am deeply saddened by your loss. I have known Rich since 1989, when I purchased my first HOE from him for NASA. He has to be one of the brightest and most colorful characters I have ever known, and I owe a large part of my success at NASA to his success with holography. He helped me develop several inventions involving his handiwork, and three atmospheric remote sensing instruments have been built over the last 20 years and are still in use: one at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH; one at Penn State Univ. in State College, PA; and one at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, on their high altitude ER-2 aircraft. His influence extends around the globe I am sure. I will also always remember his love of hot peppers and motorcycles, a couple of the things that we enjoyed together. I will also cherish my several visits to your home and lab in Paradise.
The photo of Rich that I included was taken at Goddard Space Flight Center in December 2006, taken looking through a multiplexed ultraviolet HOE he made for us at NASA, an innovative device used to make a telescope system that can view in several directions without moving.
May God continue to bless you and your family, and with my deepest sympathies,
Chris Clemens
September 20, 2010
I met Rich once when I toured his lab eleven years ago. He was one of a kind --- a brilliant experimentalist and practitioner of his art. I was inspired by my short visit to learn how to make holographic gratings. Rich was generous and gracious to me and to the entire field of professional astronomy. He will be missed.
On behalf of the UNC Goodman Laboratory, the SOAR telescope consortium, and the Southern African Large Telescope, I extend sympathies to all his family and friends.
Dr. Chris Clemens
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
University of North Carolina
Jene LaPray Parker
September 20, 2010
There was nothing at Uncle Richard would not try. He was fun to be around, a great story teller, and an all around amazing man. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marilyn Broadbent
September 20, 2010
Dear Ruth and family,
Richard was supposed to be the immortal one of our class. He was loved by all. We all enjoyed a little of his craziness, but mostly we were blessed by his ability to keep people together, especially his classmates. He was a true friend to many.
My condolences to you and your family. We will all miss him.
Brent Dickerson
September 20, 2010
Ruth,may the spirit of peace smile down on you and see you through these difficult times.Your husband my friend and yours will be missed.Great memories will remain forever.I feel your pain my God kept you in the hollow of his hand.
Ian Lancaster
September 20, 2010
Always a gentleman, always supportive, a true innovator and one of life's originals. His contribution to holography is immense.
jared s
September 20, 2010
i didn't know richard but i paraglided the hills in logan for many years and know the joy and excitement he was looking forward to during his last moments. he died in a beautiful place participating a wonderful sport.
My condolences to you and your family.
Jared
Bob Hess
September 20, 2010
Rich was highly inspirational and supportive of all interested in holography. Please accept my condolences. Every time I go through a supermarket checkout line I'll be thinking of him.
September 20, 2010
To the Rallison Family: Richard was an enthusiastic and generous gentleman. How I enjoyed him as my friend. He made life "happy and fun" and especially to be around him. How I will miss him! Mary and I give to all of you our most heartfelt sympathy. Mike Jensen, Gunnison, Utah
Leslee Thorpe Budge
September 19, 2010
High school is a hard time--Richard was more in my peripheral vision than others. As we all grew passed adulthood Richard became the glue who pulled many of us in the class of 64 back together. I will miss his emails, his stories about crashing his homemade planes, his skiing and bike trips. Most of all I will miss seeing him again.
Nancy Partington
September 19, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ray Kostuk
September 19, 2010
Dear Ruth, Ray, Robert, and Reagan, I was very sorry to hear about Richard. He was one of the most creative and intersting guys I have known yet always quick with a joke or story. I learned a lot about holography from him and owe him a great deal. I had a chance to visit your home/farm/lab about 20 years ago with one of my students and we really enjoyed the experience - especially the Bobcat and seeing one of his ultra light aircraft. I always looked forward to seeing him at the SPIE conferences to catch up on things and have a chance to socialize.
He was taken from us too soon and I am very sorry for your great loss. Please find some comfort knowing that Richard touched many people throughout his life.
Douglas Miller
September 19, 2010
Rallison family, I am sorry for your loss. Richard's work in holography was genius, fun, and it was inspiring! I will miss him.
Jerry Heidt
September 19, 2010
Ruth, Ray, Robert and Reagan
I'm still in shock. I send you my condolences along with all at Wasatch Photonics. I have contacted a lot of the people who knew Rich in the holographic community and they all send their sympathy for you.
H.B. Calder
September 19, 2010
Many of us knew Richard as our classmate from Logan High. Recently we became reacquainted with him and with others in our class through his outreach efforts to make it possible for us to get in touch again. I am grateful to have been able to get reacquainted again. I will remember his enthusiasm for life and his unconditional acceptance of everyone he met. More people will miss him than we can imagine.
He and his family are in my thoughts and will be for many years.
Greer Baird
September 19, 2010
Richard will be sorely missed by all. I, for one from the class of 64, appreciate all Richard did for our class. He kept us in touch with one another. Please accept my heartfelt feelings of sorrow at his untimely passing.
Greer Gardner Baird
Josh Myers
September 19, 2010
Ruth,Ray and Robert, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father, May god bless your family at this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marty Reese
September 19, 2010
I rekindled a friendship with Richard during the last few years spawned through class reunions and then a couple of dozen ski excursions to Snowbasin. With Richard, a run of the mill ski day would easily turn into an adventure. Richard was a fun, generous and interesting man who thought the world of his wife and children. I will miss his comradery, excenticities and humor. Nyla and I extend our very deep sympathies to Ruth and the family.
Cheryl Whitelaw
September 19, 2010
Richard was a great friend--we have many memories of fun times together. He helped to keep the "Class of '64" from Logan High together, and he organized activities for us to enjoy with others. He actually did a lot of activities that some of us only thought about. Best wishes to Ruth and the family.
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