Richard Dean Hacking

Our beloved Richard “Rich” Dean Hacking passed away peacefully on Friday evening, April 12th, in Mesa Arizona surrounded by his family.

Rich was born September 11, 1938, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Edna Belle Harris and Leonard Elliott Hacking. As the only boy and middle child between two sisters – Helen Howell and Marilyn Smith – he received lots of attention and love from his siblings and parents. Rich grew up in Rexburg, Firth and Salmon Idaho; Cedar City, Utah; and eventually settling in Bakersfield, California. Rich’s father passed away tragically when Rich was just a 16 year-old high school student in Bakersfield. He loved his father and missed him dearly throughout his life.  

Rich graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1956 as a multi-sport letterman. He went on to play tennis and basketball for Bakersfield College and finished his education at Brigham Young University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He was also an active member of the Tau Sigma fraternity. Soon after BYU, Rich served in the United States Navy and was stationed at Naval Base Coronado and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. While serving, he was asked to join the Naval Squad basketball team. He also served as a lifeguard on Coronado Island. After his service with the Navy, Rich returned to Provo where he met his wife, Vickie Carroll Woods. They were married in Provo on April 25, 1964 and sealed in the Los Angeles California Temple.

Rich and Vickie started their family in Southern California where Rich worked for General Telephone in Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica. His love for basketball and beaches kept him and his children busy. Rich played in basketball leagues throughout the city and enjoyed any pickup game he could find at the local beaches. Family time, basketball and beaches were his favorite past times while living in California.

In 1977, Rich and Vickie made the big move to Utah and settled in Pleasant View to raise their family. The last few years of their lives, they have split their time between Utah and Arizona. In Utah, Rich worked as a realtor for Wadman Realty, then started a small trucking company transporting Pepsi products for Admiral Beverage. He finished his career selling illuminated signs for YESCO before he retired. While living in Utah, he learned to love snow skiing, boating, and mountain biking. Of course, he continued his love for basketball playing daily at the Deseret Gym and winning several titles at national Senior Games tournaments.

Family was the most important thing in Rich’s life. He loved spending time with all of his children and grandchildren, and focused on activities that would keep the family together, like skiing and boating. He was their biggest cheerleader and was always there to support, love and lift them up throughout their lives. He was known to all as a big kidder and loved to tell stories. We loved his funny stories and have many of his best stories memorized since the older he got, the more often he told them!

Rich was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. From Young Men’s President for many years to Bishopric counselor, Rich loved to serve with his friends, neighbors, and especially the youth. He had a special gift for befriending and fellowshipping those around him and making others feel comfortable and at ease through his friendly demeanor, quick sense of humor and natural charisma. He was a great example to those he served and will always be remembered as a loving leader and fun friend to all.

Rich and Vickie loved serving Church missions. They served in the Hartford Connecticut Mission, the Oregon Salem Mission, the Inner-City Ogden Mission and the California Long Beach Mission. His favorite part of their missions was always working with the young Elders and making sure they had everything they needed to be successful while also having a fun time!  

Rich will be greatly missed on this earth, but we know that he is having a wonderful time reunited with his parents, beloved family members and good friends. He will have many stories to share and basketball games to play on the “courts on high.” We know he is smiling down on us and is in a better place, which gives us all great comfort. 

Rich is survived by his wife Vickie, four children, Erik, (Wendy), Kristin (James Rhead), Geramy (Katie), and Merideth (Rodman Likes). He and Vickie also have 16 amazing grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his mother and father and sister Helen.  

Join us in celebrating Rich’s life on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, 3602 North 500 West, Pleasant View, UT 84414. There will be a viewing and visitation with the Hacking Family at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden, UT 84414.

Services will be livestreamed, to watch click on this link .https://myersmortuary.livecontrol.tv/955fe028  

Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah.

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