Richard Wesley Christiansen

Richard Wesley Christiansen peacefully graduated from mortality on November 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. His life overflowed with learning, healthy living, accomplishment, and love and devotion to his family. He impacted countless, leaving a legacy of thousands of students whose careers were shaped or influenced by his teaching. 

He was known in life for many attributes, including his ability to explain complex concepts, his integrity, intelligence, and his testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whatever he pursued, he did so with commitment and boldness.

Born May 18, 1939, in Nephi, Utah, to Norma and Wesley Christiansen, Richard lost his father in WWII at age 5. Norma later remarried Edison Harkins, an aptly named electrician, whom Richard credits as the most influential person in his life and who inspired him to become an electrical engineer.

Richard met Anita Louise Stuckey in New Jersey in the 10th grade and described falling in love "the moment he laid eyes on her." Grades were very important to Anita, who insisted homework be completed before dates. So Richard assessed the situation, identified the variables within his control, and immediately transformed into an enthusiastic student. She graduated Valedictorian, he third runner-up, and they were voted 'Most Studious Couple. They married in 1959 in New Jersey, and a year later had their first of nine children. They were sealed in 1965 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

Education was a lifelong priority. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an M.S. in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He always credited Anita's high school study habits as the catalyst for his educational pursuits.

He joined the BYU faculty in 1978 as a professor of Electrical Engineering. In addition to teaching, he directed many high-profile research and development projects, including wiretap analysis technology for the FBI, and the world's first high-fidelity digital hearing aid. Richard also taught the Doctrine and Covenants, a class many of his children loved being able to attend. He was known to create active, thoughtful discussion which encouraged his students to learn from one another. That legacy lives on in his family, as each of his children inherited his enthusiasm for learning, curiosity, and a desire to understand the world around them. 

After teaching for 35 years, he retired from BYU in 2013 to spend more time hiking with Anita, until her unexpected passing in 2014. Brokenhearted, Richard turned his focus to family history, church service, and loving his grandchildren as his way of preparing to reunite with her.

Richard was preceded in death by Anita, his parents, his siblings, and two grandsons, Jethro Kyle Hogan Christiansen and Steven Samwise Grover. He is survived by his nine children and their spouses: Mark Christiansen (Jann), Jeff Christiansen (Lisa), Laura Dayley (Kurtis), Shannon Grover (Alex), Pamela Anderson (Trever), Michael Christiansen (Angela), Craig Christiansen (Angie), Heidi Lee (Jeremy), and Phoenix Vincent (Michael). He is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Now that he is with Anita, we hope they are able to pick up where they left off: Walking together under fluttering aspen leaves, breathing in the scent of pines, taking in views of stunning canyons and waterfalls, and finding every arch and red rock formation Heaven has to offer.

We love and miss you, Dad. Thank you for all you have taught us.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland South Stake Center at 9626 N 6800 W, Highland, UT.
A Viewing will take place Tuesday evening, November 11, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Lone Peak Chapel at 6141 W 11000 N, Highland, UT, and Wednesday from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral services at the church. 

Interment will be in the Highland City Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Richard's favorite charity, Lifting Hands International.

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