Richard Warren Zito Jr.

Richard Warren Zito Jr

1961 ~ 2025

Richard passed away peacefully while volunteering in Millcreek Canyon on Desolation Trail on August 7th, 2025, in Millcreek, Utah, at the age of 64. This was the same hiking trail where he proposed to his wife, the mother of his children. It was a significant and special place throughout his life.

Our beloved Rich was born on August 3rd, 1961, in Salt Lake City, UT, to his parents Richard Warren Zito Sr. and Mary Verlaine Showell. He graduated from the University of Utah, where he had joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Everlasting friendships of over 40 years resulted from this choice. He later received his Master of Business Administration Degree from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. During the course of his life, he also spent many years as a river guide, sleeping under the stars, which he described as some of the most cherished years of his life. He went on to become an outstanding Financial Advisor, built a network of clients, and cared for them with deep pride.

In 1998, he married the love of his life, Tristen Andree Zito. Within a few years, they brought their children, Dylan and Michael, into their home in Cottonwood Heights, where they provided an adventurous and joyful childhood for them. His children will remember him as a gentle, patient, goofy, fun-loving man who encouraged them to be unapologetically themselves. Rich was infinitely proud of them and would do anything for them. He was an unconditional, fiercely loyal husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Rich was a family man, musician, athlete, skier, hiker, explorer, rock climber, river guide, concert-goer, community-builder, philosopher, and even an author. Throughout his world travels, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, ran rivers in South America and Russia, and skied in the French Alps.

He was an authentic, generous, witty, and kind individual who loved life and was passionate about making this world a better place – which he did. He was an active and dedicated member of his community and a spirited volunteer with many different organizations.

Rich is survived by his mother, Mary Verlaine Showell; his wife, Tristen Zito; his daughter, Dylan Zito; his son, Michael Zito; his brothers, Tony (Vanessa) Zito and Collin (Mindy) Zito; his stepmother, Terrie Zito; many nieces and nephews, and his loving extended family. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Warren Zito Sr.

A Celebration of Life will be held for our wonderful Richard at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East on Saturday, August 23rd, from 5-8pm. Please join us for refreshments and music and to honor Rich's awe-inspiring life. With an Open House format, speakers will begin approximately at 6pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following charity organizations, which were dear to his heart: Waste Less Solutions, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross, Save Our Canyons, Heifer Intl, or any donation that protects our natural environment and/or advances social justice.

The family would like to thank the volunteers and crew members who fought to save him that morning. Thank you for this incredible display of humanity and solidarity, and for fighting for our beloved Richard.

He will be deeply and eternally missed.

Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Share your memories and photos with Rich's family at www.starksfuneral.com