Robert Eugene Lichfield

1932 - 2011

Robert Eugene Lichfield was born Jan. 7, 1932, and raised in Ogden, Utah, to loving and hardworking parents, Joseph Eugene "Gene" Lichfield and Susannah Parker Lichfield, a first-generation English immigrant.
He began his education at Polk Elementary School where he met Lynne Rich, his future wife, in the first grade. His education continued with Lewis Junior High, and Ogden High School, where he served as student body president; an opportunity he attributed to good friends, whom he said had great faith in him.
Prior to his formal architectural training, Robert received a craftsman's education at the side of his father, a builder and carpenter, first carrying bricks for the construction of the homes that his father and uncles built together. Robert attributed his need for long sleeves on dress shirts to the "stretching" he obtained from all the brick toting as a carpenter's helper, that he did as a boy. Robert attended Utah State University his first year of college then completed his degree at the University of Utah. He married Lynne Rich on Sept. 10, 1954, then graduated with a Bachelor of Science in architecture.
Air Force Service: Robert became an Air Force pilot in 1957, the same year his first son, Aaron Rich Lichfield, was born, with the family stationed in McAllen, Texas. Robert obtained the rank of First Lieutenant and piloted the T-33, and the B-47 bomber. His Air Force years included his family being stationed in Laredo, Texas; McAllen, Texas; Wichita, Kan.; and Tucson, Ariz.
Robert's first architecture work was in Ogden, with the firm of Kenneth Jones, and then at the John Piers office also in Ogden. Seeing commercial building growth in the economy of California, Robert secured a position with Ernest J. Kump Associates, in Palo Alto, and moved his growing family of three to Menlo Park, Calif., where his son, Aaron, and his daughters, Kathryn and Emily, were later joined by Sara and Diana.
During most of his adult life, Robert managed his father's commercial properties together with his sisters, Dorothy, Barbara and Edna, all of whom have predeceased him. His brother, Jack, passed away at the age of 3 years.
Robert was a creative and precise designer and builder and was skilled at fixing things and devising unique solutions to problems, often with novel approaches that defied stereotypes. His design of the family's home in Menlo Park, Calif., won him "The Menlo Park Design Award for Excellence," with his innovative, neo-craftsman style.
From his Air Force days he had a passion for flying. He regularly made the long flight from Ogden, Utah, to Coronado, Calif., later in his life. There he enjoyed the art galleries, sailing, and being near the ocean and bays. He surprised himself by achieving his dream of having a boat slip beside his condo.
Robert taught his children to water ski and snow ski, and took them on many memorable family outdoor adventures, in "motor home" trips to the Redwood Forest, Monterey, Carmel, Lake Tahoe, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Half Moon Bay, Lake Lagunita, and, of course, wonderful Bear Lake. He always taught the science behind things as he traveled with his children, answering their many questions and teaching them along the way.
Robert embraced physical challenges and the contemplative time provided by physical activities; for many years running 10 miles several times per week, becoming proficient in yoga, weight lifting, and doing inverted sit-ups using boots fastened to a bar from the ceiling. In his 50s, he traveled around Europe, visited the home of his mother, in Sunderland, England, and found that Switzerland was his favorite European country. His love for motorized vehicles included the enjoyment of a 1966 Ducati motorcycle, the first of several that he rode and maintained himself, along with his beloved 1967 Piper Cherokee aircraft, and several boats of all kinds.
All of Robert's five children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren continue on with the benefit of his values of lifelong learning and inquisitiveness, ingenuity, and self reliance. Survived by his former wife, Lynne Rich, San Diego, Calif.; Aaron R. Lichfield, (DeAnn) North Logan, Utah; Kathryn Lichfield, Jackson, Wyo.; Emily Lichfield Cannon, (Scott) Bountiful, Utah; Sara A. Lichfield, San Diego, Calif.; Diana Lichfield, San Diego, Calif. He turned 79 years old on Jan. 7, 2011.
He passed peacefully at his home, Feb. 6, 2011.
Memorial services will be held Friday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
The family will meet friends for 30 minutes prior to the services.
Interment, Lindquist's Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
E-mail condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.