Richard Bert Lindsay

July 9, 1944 — June 1, 2023

Spanish Fork — Richard Bert Lindsay passed away on June 1, 2023, in Provo, Utah. Richard fought valiantly through various health issues and pain over the past several years of his life.

Richard was born in Heber City, Utah on July 9, 1944. He was the son of Bert and LeOra (Ohlwiler) Lindsay. He was blessed to have one older brother, Stanley W. Lindsay, who he loved and looked up to throughout his life. Richard was raised in Heber City. He spent time as a child living in the homes of his aunts where he grew lasting relationships with them and his cousins. He was forever grateful for their love and impact on his life. Richard gained his love of sports from his parents, and he had fond memories of traveling down Provo Canyon with his parents to attend many BYU games throughout his youth.

Richard graduated from Wasatch High School in 1962. He attended Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah, where he graduated with an Associate of Science degree in 1964. Richard was a proud “Rebel” and made lifelong friends from his time in St. George. He then attended Brigham Young University, College of Southern Utah, and finally Utah State University, where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He spent the next five years employed as a teacher by the Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he taught both fifth and sixth grades at David Gourley Elementary School in Kearns (West Valley City), Utah. In July 1974, he was hired as a probation and parole officer by the State of Utah, where he worked until his retirement in 1999. He was a tireless worker known for always bringing work home at night and working on the weekends. Known for his colorful language, he always suggested that he spoke the language of his clients, and they described him as being “firm but fair.”

While attending Utah State, he met Clyda Allen. They were married on February 23, 1968, in the Logan Utah Temple. They moved to Spanish Fork, Utah in 1974 and have resided there ever since that time. Richard was a supportive father and a proud grandpa and loved his five grandchildren with all his heart. Richard and Clyda were married for 55 years.

Richard spent countless hours watching baseball, basketball, and football. He took his young boys to watch high school and college games throughout the state of Utah, instilling in them his great love of sports. While his health was good, he rarely missed a state tournament and loved attending the NCAA basketball tournament when it was played in Utah. For many years, Richard was a fixture at the Spanish Fork ballpark where he ran the Mens Fastpitch Softball League for a few years and was an assistant coach on the Pony League Pirates and Phillies. He had a positive impact on the lives of those boys who played for him. Richard was proudest watching his kids compete in basketball, baseball, football, and volleyball at Spanish Fork High School. Blind in one eye, Richard was not able to play sports at the level he wished as boy, so he spent countless hours helping his kids to”be better than he was.” When he wasn’t at work, he was hitting groundballs, throwing pitches, or playing catch with his kids. He was a harsh critic of his kids’ play and always pushed them to be better. He took great pride in the state championships that his sons won while playing for the Dons. He often said that the days at the ballpark watching his kids play baseball and softball were the best times of his life.

Richard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a testimony of Jesus Christ and of the restored gospel and regularly studied the scriptures. He served in a number of callings, including as a financial clerk in the 18th Ward and enjoyed his service with the bishopric.

Richard is survived by his wife, Clyda Allen Lindsay, and his children, Brett (Sherri) Lindsay of Cottonwood, Arizona; Greg (Lisa) Lindsay of Aurora, Colorado; and Kathryn Lindsay of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother Stanley W. Lindsay and his five grandchildren, Brooke (Braydon) Peterson, Mitchell Lindsay, Ryan Lindsay, Elizabeth Lindsay, and William Lindsay. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A viewing will be held June 7, 2023, at Walker Mortuary, 187 S. Main St., Spanish Fork, UT, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A viewing and memorial service will be held at the East Meadows Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1552 E. 750 S., Spanish Fork, UT, on June 8, 2023. The viewing will be from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Internment will be held at the Spanish Fork Cemetery.

As a family we are greatly appreciative of those medical professionals who have cared for our dad. We also express appreciation to the many friends, family and neighbors who have checked in on dad or offered a hand of service.

In lieu of flowers, Richard would request that you go play catch with your kids or go watch a ballgame with your family.