Richard “Dick” Garn Swapp, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022 at his home in Washington, Utah of natural causes. Richard was born to Irene Brown and Garn Little Swapp on May 13, 1934 in Kanab, Utah. He grew up on the Swapp ranch near Alton, Utah. He attended grade school in Kanab and graduated from Kanab High School. During his high school years, Sharon Schmutz from St. George caught his eye. They were married on May 22, 1954, in the St. George Temple, while he was on leave from his assignment in the United States Army. Richard served in the army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, also earned a Master’s Degree at Stanford University and a PhD at Utah State University.

While attending the University of Utah, his son, Craig and daughter, Janet were born. With graduation the family moved to Sacramento, California, as Richard began a career as a mechanical engineer with IBM. IBM asked the family to move San Jose, California, where Richard attended Stanford University, and two more children, a son, Brent and a daughter, Lisa, joined the family. Seeking more learning, Richard moved his family to Logan, Utah so he could attend Utah State University for his PhD. He graduated in the Spring of 1969. With a move to Salt Lake City and the birth of his daughter, Sheryl, he began teaching as a professor at the University of Utah in the Engineering Department. He was an entrepreneur in real estate, land development, and investments.

Throughout his life, he valued learning, hard work, family, serving and faith. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings. He enjoyed fixing cars or anything thing else that needed fine tuning. He loved being outdoors fishing, hiking, gardening, ranching, and boating. He was happy to lend a helping hand.

He lovingly cared for his wife Sharon before she passed away in May of 1984.

He married Patricia Parkes March 28, 1985 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Kanab, Utah; Alton, Utah; Ridgefield, Washington; and Washington, Utah. While living in Kanab, he was elected and enjoyed serving as the Kane County Assessor from 1995 through 2011.  In retirement he and Patricia served as service missionaries for the Church at Deseret Industries.

The friends he had along the way have blessed and enriched his life! So many dear memories!

He is survived by: wife: Patricia; children: Craig (Keighley), Janet (Brian) Tingey, Brent (Sara), (Michael and Francesca Smith), Sheryl (Shane) Hunt; step children: Larry (Kathy) Parkes, Tracy (Terry) Camit, Teresa Parkes, Lane (Michelle) Parkes, Janice (Robert) Cox; 36 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Joyce Sorensen and Shirlee Bentley.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his parents, Garn and Irene Swapp; daughter Lisa Smith; grandson, CR Swapp; and brother-in-law, Hugh Sorensen, and other loving in-laws.

Services will be held Friday, July 29, 2022, 2:00 PM at the Kanab LDS Church, 604 S 100 E, Kanab, UT 84741. There will be a viewing beginning at 1:00 PM before the funeral service. Interment will be at the Kanab City Cemetery.  Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.

The Recording of the Funeral Service may be accessed through the link below.