Richard Dean Christensen, known to many as Dad, Daddy, Dikki, Richie, and Rick, was a big-hearted and fun-loving dad, husband, brother, uncle, son, and friend. Born on December 3, 1986, to Gordon and Terri Christensen, Richard was ready to live life to the fullest. He was unexpectedly taken from us too soon on March 8, 2025, at 38 years of age.
Richard was born in Redlands, California. He was an active kid who always had a big smile on his face. He loved to dress up, play sports, and be outdoors. He lived in many cities and states throughout his childhood and lifetime but ultimately settled in Utah County. Spanish Fork became his home. He loved his high school years in Southern Maryland, the brief time in New Jersey, and Hurricane, Utah. He made friends everywhere he went and because he lived in so many places, he has friends all over the country.
Richard was no stranger to the struggles of this life. He hit lows and held on tight, finding the highs again. He met so many people on his journey who loved and helped him through. And he did the same for anyone he could. He often went out of his way to help a sibling or his mom, do concrete work for family members, or have a heart-to-heart phone call.
He met Melanie in 2013, and his life was never the same. He loved her like he’d never loved anyone before. Her personality complimented his and we got to see Richard happy for the first time in many years. They married on July 31, 2015, in Orem, Utah. The day he became a dad was the day his life truly began. He was an incredible father. Of all the things he loved (and he loved many things!) his boys were at the very top of that list.
Richard was incredibly passionate about being a dad and loved spending time with his three boys, Haize (9), Harley (7), and Hank (2). The 4 of them could always be found wrestling about and teasing each other. He also loved fishing, camping, hunting, boating, backyard barbecues, wrestling anyone, cheering for the Ravens, and going to football games. He enjoyed the Utah games he was able to attend with his brother in recent years. He enjoyed attending family events when they were held, and was a fierce protector of his sisters, mom, nieces, and nephews. He always wanted to cook up some good food and spend an evening with the people he loved. Bonus if the day included fishing!
Everyone could feel how much he loved and cared about them as Richard was known to be willing to give his last dollar or the shirt off his back for those he spent his time with. He will be remembered as generous as well as considerate.
In addition to his soft soul, Richard had a fun and outgoing personality, and he joked, laughed, and played all he could. (That’s how Mel fell for him!) When we say joked and laughed, we truly mean that. His laugh will never be forgotten. It was the greatest and most contagious laugh! He was always good for a joke, usually inappropriate, and sometimes at the wrong time, but he always had one. If not, he had a sarcastic comment to give.
Perhaps one of our favorite memories with Richard is his love for eating crab legs…he loved nothing more than making a huge pile of shells! He inherited this love from his dad and lots of time spent at Chinese buffets as a kid!
Richard is survived by his wife, Melanie; his children, Haize, Harley, and Hank; his parents, Gordon Christensen and Terri Carter; his siblings, Blake (Liesel) Christensen, Amberly (Cord), Lindsay, Amy (Aaron) Dyer, Kimberly Christensen, Kristina Christensen, Kenneth Christensen, Kamilah Christensen; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
To honor Richard’s memory, a service will be held at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah, on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Doors will open at 9:30. Please also join us for an evening viewing on Sunday, March 16, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Following the service, Richard will be laid to rest at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East Payson, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help pay for memorial expenses. Walker Funeral Home: 801-465-3846.
1 Condolence for Richard Dean Christensen
Condolence(1)
Jalon Pitts says
March 14, 2025 at 11:09 pmKnew him as a coworker in western metals. As a worker he was really good but as a person he was even more fun to be around. He kept us together and make the warehouse better. My heart goes out to his family, truly.