Richard Allen Vehar

Early in the morning of July 26, 2017, Richard Allen Vehar passed away peacefully in his sleep due to kidney failure.

He was born June 12, 1935, in Rock Springs, to Erwin John Vehar and Hannah Mae Vehar. He was the eldest of three sons and spent most of his young life in Green River, where his parents owned an electrical contracting business. He graduated from Lincoln High School and later attended the University of Utah. He served a mission for the LDS church in the Swiss Austrian Mission from 1955-1959. Upon returning, he married Ann Keyes, formerly Judy Francom. They had four children together.

He was commissioned into the Army from the University of Utah ROTC program in 1961. Upon discharge from the Army as a First Lieutenant in 1963, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves until he resigned his commission in 1966. He received a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Utah, and a master's degree in education from Brigham Young University. He entered the doctoral program for psychology at BYU and received his PhD in 1984.

After serving as the principal of Ben Lomond LDS seminary in Ogden, Utah, Vehar was transferred to Chicago where he taught in the church educational system for 20 years, fulfilling his final assignment as the Central States Regional Director of the Seminary and Institute Program. After a brief assignment as the vice president of J.S. James, a real estate development firm, Vehar worked as a psychologist in private practice until he retired at the age of 75.

Vehar participated in multiple assignments for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained active until his death. He was an excellent teacher and had a passion for researching and writing family history. He enjoyed photography, fishing, stained glass art, reading autobiographies and woodworking. His family is grateful for the meaningful memories left behind because of his hobbies.

Richard Vehar is survived by his wife Ann Taylor Vehar; four biological children Stephen Mark Vehar, Laurel Vehar Towne and husband Christopher Towne, Lynne Vehar Grayson-Glazer and husband Marc Glazer and Laine Vehar; their children Mitchell Gronlund, Desmond Vehar, and Stuart Towne; his two brothers, Glen and wife Sandy Vehar, and Robert and wife Maureen Vehar; as well as ten stepchildren, Trish and husband Doug Schneider, Ruth and husband Greg Davidson, David and wife Merlene Paskett, Keith and wife Barbara Paskett, Julie ahd husband Dan Jensen, John and wife Shelley Paskett, Amy and husband Dave Stillman, Scott and wife Nadeane Paskett, Mark and wife Melody Paskett and Sara and husband Spencer Ray; 54 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services took place July 28 in American Fork, Utah, and interment took place July 29 in Green River.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at http://www.bergmortuary.com.