Richard Horne Spencer March 9, 1945 - March 24, 2025

Richard Horne Spencer, 80, of Payson, Utah, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2025. He lived an extraordinary life and left an outsized influence on those around him with his life of faith, service, and dedication.

Richard was born on March 9, 1945, to George Albert and Vivian Spencer in Washington, D.C., where his father was stationed in the Navy. The family moved to Paris, Idaho and then eventually settled in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where Richard grew up with his one sister and five brothers. Richard’s childhood was full of opportunities for hands-on learning, and he was entrusted with increasing responsibilities throughout his upbringing. He was the family barber; the demolition and construction foreman, playing a major role in building the family’s home; and the fruit picking, wheat grinding, house cleaning, and goat milking supervisor, which earned him the nickname “Goat”.  He had Deseret News paper routes and ran projectors at the Grove Theatre, eventually passing those jobs on to younger siblings. He loved photography, a skill that he also taught his siblings. These experiences gave Richard his legendary work ethic, confidence, and know-how.

The Spencer home was one of faith. There he gained his lifetime conviction of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He served wholeheartedly as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand from 1964 to 1966. Richard completed his college education, culminating with a master’s degree in civil engineering from Brigham Young University in 1970. Richard met and quickly fell in love with Connie Cullinan, of Denver, Colorado, and they were married in 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Iowa for a job with Chicago Bridge and Iron, which later took them to Illinois. Desiring to move closer to their roots, they relocated their young family to Arvada, Colorado in 1975, where they raised a family that eventually grew to include twelve children. When the time came for a simpler home, they moved to Payson, Utah in 2017, where he enjoyed his final eight years there closer to his children and siblings in that area.

Richard loved being a dad. He was proud of his children, and he worked hard to go above and beyond in building a happy home. It was important for him to provide his family with a comfortable home, as well as educational and cultural opportunities. He also shared with them his faith in Jesus Christ and his work ethic through his words and actions. Richard was fearless in taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges for the good of his family. He was a major source of strength as the family grieved the untimely loss of his daughter, Carrie, at age 21.

Richard’s career choices were largely driven by a desire to provide opportunities for his family. After moving to Colorado, Richard and Connie began purchasing small apartment buildings as a side business. As that venture grew, he eventually took the leap into a full-time career centered around real estate. His engineering background served him well as owner and hands-on manager of rental properties, while he simultaneously sold real estate as a broker at RE/MAX. Although he was interested in apartments as a business, his involvement with rental properties was largely motivated by his desire to provide his children with the opportunities to learn how to work, solve problems, and interact with people. His children knew that they were valued employees, from the time they were old enough to pick up trash to the point where they could independently undertake major projects. Richard was always an engineer at heart, fearlessly taking on major maintenance and renovation projects. He was a familiar sight around his properties, usually with his massive toolbox in tow on his way to the next repair. His projects were not limited to the apartment buildings. Richard applied even more enthusiasm to improving his family’s home in Arvada, which he tripled in size by excavating a basement beneath the original house and building a major addition.

Richard wanted his children to be well-rounded beyond work skills. While not a musician himself, he appreciated music and supported all twelve children as they learned how to play various musical instruments. This, like everything involved with a family that size, was no small undertaking, but he gladly prioritized funding years of music lessons and purchasing numerous musical instruments. He always treasured hearing his family play their instruments together.

Service was central to Richard’s life. He touched countless lives, enthusiastically serving in his church and community. One act of service that exemplifies Richard’s character was his response when an elderly neighbor experienced a major house fire without the means to repair the damage. Richard organized a team to rebuild that home, doing much of the work himself, even as his own health was deteriorating. Richard and Connie had long anticipated serving as missionaries together and took the opportunity to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas Houston South Mission in 2012.

Richard’s final years have been an outstanding example of patience and enduring to the end. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002 after suffering from its symptoms for many years prior. Richard responded to the diagnosis not by quitting, but by summoning even greater determination. He continued his role in the family business for several years and was always game for adventures long past the point when they were advisable. Stubbornly persisting as he lost control over his body, with Connie at his side, he kept moving as long as he could possibly manage. His grace and patience through his decline will stand as a lasting testament of his strength, faith, and dedication to those around him.

Richard is survived by his wife, Connie Spencer; siblings Doug (Dayle) Spencer, Gregory (Gerry) Spencer, Fred (Cathy) Spencer, Sheila (Terry) Ray, Stan (Kathryn) Spencer, and Conrad (Crystal) Spencer; his children Quentin (Heather) Spencer, Benjamin (Merideth) Spencer, Amy (Ryan) Walker, Heidi (Alan) Vawdrey, Sabrina (Steve) Winder, Emily (Aaron) Poff, Lincoln (Katy) Spencer, Kevin (Katie) Spencer, Melanie (Ryan) Rice, Ian (Angie Sands) Spencer, and Jonathan (fiancée Rebekah) Spencer; 33 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Vivian Spencer, daughter Carrie Spencer, granddaughter Elizabeth Jane Vawdrey, brother-in-law Terry Ray, and son-in-law Ryan Rice.

The family expresses their gratitude to the First Choice Home Health and Hospice nurses and aides for their loving service over the last few years, as well as the staff at Orchard View Assisted Living who provided wonderful respite care. The Spencer children wish to also publicly honor the attentive and loving care given by their mother, Connie, who gave Richard the best life possible. She literally wore out wheelchairs to share adventures with him during the last five years when he could no longer walk on his own.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 952 West 1580 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

The family welcomes the sharing of written memories as they compile a book of his life.