Richard Kerry Neves

1942 - 2015

Richard Kerry Neves, 72, of Pocatello, passed away at home Wednesday, July 1, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with cancer.

Richard was born to Elden Johnson Neves and Vida Allphin Neves in Basin, Wyo., on Dec. 22, 1942, where he lived in a log cabin with his parents and his older sister, Lola (Kearley). Over the next few years, the family was joined by seven more children: Eldon Allphin, Myra Lucille (Wooley), Virgil Carl, Marvin Dale, Vida June (Bowden), Mattie Karen (Furniss) and Vernon Daryl.

Richard's family moved from Wyoming to Utah in 1957. Richard was academically talented and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in the spring of 1961 and was called to serve in the Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December of that year.

Shortly before high school graduation, Richard met Kaarin Pace. They became engaged before he left on his mission and married in the Salt Lake City LDS temple two weeks after his return. About six months later, the couple moved to Logan, where Richard attended Utah State University, majoring in range management. He received his private pilot's license in May 1967 and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1968. He and Kaarin also had their first daughter, Kaarin Ann, that year. Richard received a teaching certificate in 1970.

His first job was teaching high school science in American Falls, Idaho. In his "spare time," he also wrote articles for the Power County Press, started "Poor Richard's Print Shop" in his basement and became a certified flight instructor. He and Kaarin also were blessed with four additional daughters — Karri Lee and Terri Dee, Cynthia Sue and Debra Lyn .

After teaching for 13 years, Richard added a business partner, Dan Lambert, and "retired" to run Neves' Printing full-time. Later, Richard moved the business to a building on North Broadway in Blackfoot and then to Walker Street, across from the high school.

Richard was a member of the Elks Lodge 1416 in Blackfoot and was honored as Elk of the Year in 1993.

Kaarin passed away in 1995. Richard was lucky enough to find companionship with Kenda Sue Vasterling, whom he married in 1999 and joined in Pocatello. Afterwards, Richard continued to run Neves' Printing, built a hanger at Blackfoot McCarley Airport and started Idaho Air Adventures. In 2001, he returned to teaching with a position at Hawthorne Junior High School in Pocatello. He then started studying geographical information systems at Idaho State University (ISU). In 2005, Richard earned a master's certificate in geo-technology from ISU. He began teaching science at Sho-Ban High School that same year; and in 2008, he started teaching science at the Clark County Junior/Senior High School in Dubois, where he was still employed at the time of his death. During this period, he applied for and received several grants that helped enhance his teaching skills and challenge everyone's perception of age limitations.

Richard loved to fly the Idaho backcountry and the Alcan Highway. He and Kenda traveled together to many interesting places, including Alaska, Canada, England, France, Germany and Italy.

Richard is survived by his wife Kenda; his daughters, Kaarin (Karsten) Engelmann, Karri Neves, Terri Neves, Cynthia Christensen and Debra (Paul) Sorensen; his stepdaughters, Staci (John) Orr and Jennie (Clint) Fullmer; and 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kaarin; and his brother, Vernon.

The family will meet with friends and relatives from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave., in Blackfoot. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Highland 1st Ward LDS Church, 2140 Satterfield Drive in Pocatello. Family will meet with friends and relatives from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment and a short service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Grove City Cemetery in Blackfoot. Afterwards at approximately 5 p.m. Friday, there will be a celebration of Richard's life at the terminal building at McCarley Field (Blackfoot Airport) with food, drink, music and memorials. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.