RICHARD MONROE EMERSON

1944 - 2011 Richard Monroe Emerson, 66, of American Fork, Utah, died Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, following complications of a heart attack and stroke. He is survived by his wife, Olive Hunt Emerson, of American Fork, Utah; daughter, Katherine Emerson Plato and family; and sons, Samuel, Daniel and Matthew Emerson and families to include 8 eight grandchildren, his brother, Robert Emerson of Massachusetts, and father, Louis Richard Emerson of Cedar Hills. Born in Troy, New York, Dick grew up in parts of Pennsylvania, Texas and Kansas, spent 30 years in Rancho Cucamonga, CA raising his family, and the last 9 years in American Fork, Utah, enjoying them. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and devout patriot, Dick spent his early years moving amongst several army bases in the states and in Vietnam, serving his country as a combat correspondent. At the conclusion of his military service he pursued a brief career teaching English and then began his longtime journalism career, first for the Des Moines Register in Iowa and finally at the Los Angeles Times in California as an editor and then programmer. Dick had a brilliant mind and started a brand new career at the LA Times in his 40's by teaching himself computer programming, becoming an expert in his field, and then transitioned newspaper production into the technology revolution by converting the process from pen and paper to computer and internet. During his career at The Times, Dick was awarded two Pulitzer Prizes for his assistance in coverage of the Mexico earthquake in the 80's and the LA Riots in the 90's. As an Expert Class HAM Radio Operator he cultivated this hobby turned passion into a lifetime of service disseminating information all over the world in times of disaster and peace. This passion earned him both the respect of his colleagues and cherished friendships in the HAM community. Dick was a devoted companion to his beloved wife, Olive and beloved patriarch to his children and grandchildren reveling in his golden years embracing those roles. Funeral Services for Dick were held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at the Sunset Hills 3rd Ward Chapel, 1120 North 400 West, American Fork, Utah. A Viewing was held prior to the funeral service from 9:00-10:45 A.M. at the Sunset Hills Chapel. Interment took place immediately following at Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Funeral Directors - Warenski Funeral Home of American Fork, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.warenski. comhttp://www.waresnki.com