Richard Sorensen

1928 - 2022

Richard Paul Sorensen

1928 ~ 2022

- Richard Paul Sorensen, lovingly and fondly known as "Gramps", passed away peacefully at his home on April 8, 2022 just two months shy of his 94th birthday. We were certain he would hit his 100th birthday so this came as somewhat of a surprise. He enjoyed good health and remained active right up to the end.

Dad was born June 14, 1928 to George and Lillian Sorensen in Salt Lake City, Utah and was the oldest of four boys. He spent his childhood in the family home on "F" Street in the Salt Lake Avenues area and attended Bryant Junior High and West High School prior to joining the military and serving in the Occupational Forces in Japan following WWII. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army, he enrolled in Civil Engineering School at the University of Utah. This was an endeavor that was one of his most difficult, yet it began a lifelong love of Engineering and Land Surveying. He spent college summers surveying in Alaska laying out the Glen Highway and another working on a ranch in Montana.

While attending the "U", He noticed a beautiful brunette, Patricia Whitehead and her little brother Don, walking by the gas station he was working at. Negotiating through Don, he was able to make her acquaintance which began a courtship that led to marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on September 24, 1951.

After graduation, working for the Utah State Highway Department he spent his time designing roads and bridges mainly in Southeastern Utah, including the roads from Blanding to Monument Valley through Bluff and Mexican Hat, Price to Green River and south to Hanksville. He worked for Sharp Engineering for a number of years before starting Jackson & Sorensen Engineers. In the early 1960's, He went on his own starting the Richard P. Sorensen Company, Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors and actively worked into his 90's.

Dad thoroughly LOVED his work, provided well for his family and employed his kids and many of his nephews, nieces and kids from the neighborhood. His brother Ron worked with him through the years running the survey crew while dad did the engineering and design work. They made a great team that did excellent work. He designed numerous subdivisions, small dams, sewage treatment plants, and worked on many large commercial projects including the Huntsman Center, the Salt Lake Water Treatment Plant and the refineries in North Salt Lake. He was a charter member of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors and is still licensed as a Land Surveyor and Consulting Engineer.

A founding member of the Sports Mall, he and mom played tennis weekly until he was over 90 years old. They shared a love of Lake Powell and vacationed there with their family every year since the lake started filling.

Dad and mom served as Inner City Missionaries in downtown Salt Lake. He served in many church callings and was a much beloved Scoutmaster and Bishop. He was very instrumental in building the 6th & 10th ward building in the Big Cottonwood Stake. He took in the homeless, supported many missionaries and was a mentor and confidant to those he served. Dad was inclusive before we knew what inclusive meant. He rarely met someone he didn't like and took a genuine interest in those he met and made friends for life. He was particularly kind to the downtrodden and those in need. He was a lifelong advocate and student of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and followed the example of his Savior as a humble servant to his fellow man.

Dad loved his Sweetie and had a special relationship with each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had an uncanny ability to make each one think they were his favorite. In truth, they are all his favorites.

Dad is survived by his children Steven Michael (Colleen) Sorensen, Richard Bryan (Alison) Sorensen, Rebecca Pedersen Sorensen, James Walter (Lisa) Sorensen, Cydney Lynette (David) Maisey. 23 grandchildren plus 15 spouses, and 38 great grandchildren all of whom he adored and loved. He was proceeded in death by his eternal sweetheart, Patricia Ann Whitehead Sorensen, son Rodney Stuart Sorensen and daughter Tricia Lynn Sorensen, his parents and brothers Alan Sorensen, Fred Sorensen and Ron Sorensen.

Funeral will be held Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Salt Lake Big Cottonwood Stake Center, 1750 East Spring Lane, Holladay. There will be a visitation at the church on Wednesday April 13 from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. and prior to the funeral on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. -10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Holladay Memorial Cemetery.