Richard Vance

Obituary for
Richard Byron Vance

Richard Byron Vance was born March 23, 1931 to Byron and Jennie (Van Orman) Vance in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. When he was in grade one his family moved from Raymond to Rosemary, Alberta where he completed public school. Richard was the oldest of 9 children. His siblings are John (Mary Zaugg), Hugh (Coleen Caldwell), Paul (Wanda Collet), Janeen (John Gough), Melvin, (Heather Duncan), Peter (Karen Bailey), Maureen (Lynn Orr), Linda White Olsen.

He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951-1953 in the Canada Toronto Mission. Returning from the mission field he worked at the Taber Sugar Beet Factory, as a construction worker in Calgary, and as a salesman for Rena-Ware cookware. In 1953, he met Reita Harlene Hetchler from Melfort, Saskatchewan and she totally captured his heart. They were married for time and eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple on January 5, 1955. He became a school teacher and taught in Scandia from 1955-1957 when he then moved to Calgary. His teaching career in Calgary began in 1957 as acting principal of Milton Williams School. He was assistant principal at Kingsland, Queen Elizabeth, Elboya, and Varsity Acres elementary schools. He then went on to become principal at Earl Grey, Maple Ridge, and Ethel M. Johnson Elementary School where he worked his last 10 years of his teaching career. He loved teaching and he loved his students. After graduating from the University of Calgary in 1965, Richard took his family on a short working holiday to Australia. While teaching in Calgary, he was chairman of the Calgary Teacher’s Convention and vice-president of the Calgary Elementary School Administrators Association.

He ran a farm at Rosebud, Alberta, was active in the Boy Scouts of Canada having earned the rank of King Scout. He was a member of the Calgary Council and served in his church in many capacities including bishop, high councilor, and stake mission president. He helped his wife at her fruit stand (Naturally the Fruit Stand) from 1983-1988 on Stephen Avenue Mall outside the Hudson Bay Company store in downtown Calgary. Reita was known across Canada for her famous fresh fruit shakes.

He retired from teaching July 1988 (the year of the Calgary Winter Olympics). His school performed at a medal ceremony at Canada Olympic Park.

After retiring from teaching, he and his wife served a mission at the Church College of Western Samoa from 1991-1993. They moved to Utah in 1994 to be near their grandchildren. They served a proselyting mission to Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2008-2010. Other church assignments included 10 years at Mount Timpanogos temple and at the Transient Service Office. Richard was very active in the B.F. Johnson Family Organization where he held several leadership positions.

Richard & Reita have 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren (and counting). He loved all his extended family. His family was his pride and joy.

Richard died peacefully at home on Saturday, February 10, 2018 in Orem Utah.

There will be no viewings.