Richard Michael Hutchins Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

St. George, Utah - Richard Michael Hutchins, 63, passed away on Thursday August 12, 2021. Richard was born July 23, 1958 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Jack Randolf Hutchins and Ruth Marie Newman. Richard married Rosanne Decker, December 17, 1988 in the St. George, Utah LDS temple. Richard grew up in Rockville, Maryland where he remembered speaking in Spanish as a young child in the sandbox and catching flies, alongside his brothers, with his long, bleach-blonde hair. He cherished memories of high school and college including swimming and wrestling. Nicknames of being called “Tarzan” and running 3 miles under 17 minutes were some of his favorites to mention. Richard was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teenager when he attended the Washington D.C. Temple open-house with his dad and later served a mission in Uruguay. He attended BYU for his bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate degrees. He also acquired an MBA from Utah State. Richard worked as a medical mal-practice and personal injury attorney at his private law firm. Richard was always sharp-minded and loved learning. He took pride in knowing celestial pursuit trivia, collecting encyclopedias, and being able to wow children with his multiplication speed. He also pursued personal interests in woodworking, model trains, new technologies, and blasting on repeat the same two lines of his favorite songs. He was over-prepared, yet somehow empty handed, having “ten of those...somewhere” which led to collections of dried up glue or stacks of outdated printers. Rich met Rosie in his ward and was a charming young man who made an impression when he pulled her group’s raft upstream due to the lack of current. Richard was always impressed and grateful for his wife’s talents of sewing, teaching, and cooking. He always had a great desire to be a dad and truly loved that role. He would gleefully strut around the house singing “I’m the dad, I’m the dad, I’m the dad!” Rich made a great effort to teach his nine children what he believed; and often shared with them his passion for history and religious philosophy at the dinner table. Never shy to talk to others or attempt to improve a situation, Richard was quite bold and social. In his many attempts at joking to get a “coupon for a free pizza” with nearly any transaction, he made strangers laugh and his children roll their eyes. He always emphasized being “nice and kind” and including others. He freely shared “I love you”s with his family members. Richard could often be heard stating “be good like always” before anyone left the house. Richard is survived by his wife, Rosie Decker Hutchins, St. George, UT; his children Thomas, Jane (Stephen), Deborah, Susan (Joseph), Joseph (Sophia), Rebecca, Michael, Sarah, and David; his grandchildren Paige, Connor, Hannah, and Graham; his step-mother, Janice Hutchins; and his siblings Charles, Ken, Barbara, Victoria, Kristina, Mary, Jeanine, and Melissa; Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ruth; his brother, Doug; and his grandson, Garrett. Memories, including pictures and stories, can be emailed to richard@richardhutchins.com The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 21st located at 4517 Mille Lacs Dr. South Jordan, UT 84095. Viewing 10:30 AM; funeral 11:00 AM. To be buried at the South Jordan Cemetery.

Richard Michael Hutchins

July 23, 1958 - August 12, 2021