WA/DL Capt. Rcihard O. Urdahl

Obituary...........................

            Richard O. Urdahl  (1932 - 2016)

Rick passed away August 12th in his sleep, in St. George, Utah. He suffered two strokes within one week with many complications. He was born in Karlstad, Minn. the second child of Olga, Noble Urdahl. Rick was a true renaissance man. He grew up on a farm rising up at 5 a.m. to milk the cows, riding to school on a horse returning to finish his chores and delivering newspapers. He loved to talk about his young life, swinging on a rope and landing on a hay mow. At a young age of 12 he could handle a team of work horses hauling shocks of grain and delivering them to a conveyer belt on the thrashing machine. He was taught a strong work ethic that benefitted him throughout life, always holding down 2 or 3 jobs at a time. In 1945 his family left Minnesota and settled in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington. Under age, Rick talked himself into a dishwashing job at Snoqualmie Falls Lodge., also delivering Seattle Times newspaper. He attended Mount Si High where he played football and was on a golf team. He was a member of "Order of the De Moley", went to 'Boys State'. Always seeking fun and adventure he loved to ski play tennis and racquetball. Graduating in 1950 he wanted to enlist in the Air Force.His Mother wanting him to attend college first. That summer his Father took Rick to Alaska, to apprentice under him as a carpenter, a trade he used all his life. He worked his way through college from this tutelage, never borrowing or owing anyone money. He graduated debt free. His second job was Dorm Supervisor. He was listed in "Who's Who among Student in American Universities and Colleges" from Central Washington University. Preparing himself for the Air Force he enrolled in the ROTC Program, his dream to be a pilot. He joined the Air force in 1956 after a 1 year of teaching school. He was promoted to Major on three different lists, Air Force, Air Force Reserve and the California Air National Guard traveling to the Far East and Europe. In 1963, Rick was hired by Western Airlines later merging with Delta, loving every minute of this job, he had a 29 year career as a pilot. Living and being based in the Bay area he started the Richard Urdahl Construction Co. as a side business, building homes, apartments and a movie theater. In 1987 the fortuitous fate of Delta Airlines reassigning his base to Salt Lake and his friend Royce introducing them to each other, he met Carol his true soul mate and life companion.Rick was a family man. He married Sandy and they had three children: Mark, Jennifer and Scot. He spent countless hours with his children at swim meets,tennis tournaments and gymnastic competitions. One last one, this May watching Mark in a Polo match. He embraced his extended family with love, participation and caring, Cindy, Bret and Patti ,they cherished their time with him. He was a strong Patriarch and his grandkids loved and adored him. He always was interested in each one individually and gave them sound advice, they listened to him and usually following his advice. The big deal was to sit in his oversized easy chair while Grandpa sat at his desk and just talk for hours about their lives or family. Rick retired in 1992, learning how to sit back and smell the roses. His favorite day was to golf 18 holes (sometimes 27 or 36 rounds) sip a vodka tonic and play a game of Gin Rummy with the Brown Group at Hidden Valley CC.
Rick is survived by his wife Carol, Children: Mark (Jocelyn), Jeniffer (Randy deceased), Scott (Marlo), Cindy (Michael) ,Bret , Patricia. Eleven Grandchildren Lindsay (Mark), Hilary, Taylor, Chaz, Dylan, Alexis (Ty), Alex, Isabella, Dyllin, Leon, Lucy. One Great Grandchild Porter. Brother Charles, preceded in death by sister Pat and Bev.
Graveside Service will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 10600 S 1700 E at the Mausoleum at 3 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2016. A Celebration of Life will follow 4-6 p.m. at Hidden Valley CC, 11820 South Highland Dr., where his spirit soared.
In lieu of flowers donate to your favorite charity .

 

.Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Sept. 11 to Sept. 18, 2016

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Richard 'Rick' Urdahl

March 3, 1932 ~ August 12, 2016

Update on Services: 

Dick,I have received the following information from Carol Urdahl regarding services for Rick, please pass on.If you need further information give me a call (801-244-8598)

Graveside service for Captain Rick Urdahl will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Larkin Sunset Gardens (801-571-2771)

1950 East Dimple Dell Road (1850 East 10600 South), follow directions to the Mausoleum

Sandy, Utah

  A “Celebration of Life” will follow at Hidden Valley Country Club (11820 South Highland Drive)

4:00 - 6:00p.m (light buffet)

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Rick’s name.

Thanks for your help,

Joe

News has reached us with the passing of retired WA/DL pilot Captain Richard Ordway Urdahl, age 84.  About two months ago Captain Urdahl  suffered a stroke and since then had been dealing with medical complications.  He is survived by his wife Carol.  Captain Urdahl joined Western Airlines 06-18-1962 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1992, based SLC at the time of his retirement. 

Arrangements are pending. 

For those wishing to share memories and express condolences, the family may be contacted at 

803 Swiss Haven Circle,  Santa Clara, Utah 84765-5649.

As we receive more information we will be sure to update our memorial site.

            Thank you,

                ~ Carol for the PCN 

 
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From: "Dick Deeds" <dickdeeds@pacbell.net>    Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2016 11:56 AM    Subject: Passing of WAL/DAL Captain Rick Urdahl

 Rick Urdahl had a stroke in early June, he was unable to recover and passed on the 12th of August; we lost a good friend, a fine gentlemen and a man that truly loved his years in the sky.

Plans are pending, will update; cards and condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Carol Urdahl
 803 Swiss Haven Circle
 Santa Clara, Utah 84765
----------------------------- 

From: Dick Deeds    Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2016 9:41 AM   Subject:  Rick Urdahl

It's with great sadness that I pass along this info i received late last night. As soon as I get further info l'll pass it along.
Dick

On Aug 12, 2016, at 21:34, Joe Mongold <joemongold@icloud.com> wrote:

Dick,
I regret to inform that our friend Rick passed tonight at 8:30. I will update you tomorrow after I meet with Carol. 
Joe Mongold 
============================================

From: Dick Deeds   Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 11:49 AM   Subject:  Rick Urdahl

Thanks to Joe Hagan for this info..................

I just visited with Rick at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George (Room 334). Carol Urdahl indicated that it is okay to share this visit I had with them. Rick's Son Scott, his wife and two grandchildren were there when I visited. Rick was semi-conscious and recognized my name - with a smile and tightened hand grip. He was not, at this time, able to converse but did respond to prompting by Carol and Scott and myself. 

Rick has other medical concerns; however, he has to become more stabilized before they can address those other concerns.

Carol and Scott will keep me informed of any significant changes. The family have hopes of being able to have Rick admitted to the Veterans' Home here in Southern Utah (Ivins) which has been opened for just over three years. 

Rick and his family stand in need of prayers and expressions of support and well-wishes. 

Best wishes,

Joe Hagan 

From: Dick Deeds    Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2016 2:44 PM   Subject:   Rick Urdahl

Thanks to Paul Willis for this...................

Hey Guys,

Thanks to Mark Leseberg, I found out our friend Rick Urdahl is in the hospital in St. George (Dixie Regional Medical Center 435-251-1000) with a stroke. Seems to be doing a little better today according to his wife Carol. I actually spoke to him on the phone  a few minutes ago, and it seemed to cheer him up a bit. Lets hope for the best.

 His home address is 803 Swisshaven Cir. Santa Clara Ut. 84765, email rickyjet@bajabb.com Carol's cell 801-244-0771

Regards,

Paul C. Willis