Dr. Gayle Froerer Gregersen Richards

Dr. Gayle Froerer Gregersen Richards passed away peacefully at her niece’s home on January 27th 2022. A most remarkable woman, Gayle will be remembered for her lifelong commitment to education, for her extraordinary musicianship and dedication to the arts, for her devotion to her garden and her beloved Westies, and above all for her grace, compassion and ability to see good in everyone. Born on October 9th, 1936, in Ogden, Utah, Gayle was the youngest of six, adored by all around her. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1954, after which she studied at Weber State College, where she was elected student body vice president before transferring to the University of Utah, earning a BA in English with a minor in piano performance. She then studied for an MA in Educational Psychology while simultaneously serving as the Director of the University of Utah’s Testing Bureau.

Gayle went on to work as the Director of School Psychologists for the Ogden School District, where she also founded the first public school program for emotionally disturbed children, the Children’s Behavior Modification Program. She was then appointed as an education specialist for the Utah State Health Department while completing her PhD in educational psychology. Immediately following this, she founded the Children’s Behavior Therapy Unit (CBTU), which provides comprehensive mental health treatment in an academic setting, and which continues to be a national model to this day. She joined Granite School District in 1976 and spent the next 24 years as the District’s Associate K-12 Director of Special Education, retiring in 1999.

Gayle remained a passionate educator throughout her life and devoted her entire career to addressing and mitigating the challenges faced by special education teachers and children. A member of the Phi Delta Kappa society, which seeks to achieve social justice and equity in public schools, and the Delta Kappa Gamma society, which supports women educators and promotes excellence in education, Gayle strongly believed that public education is the cornerstone of American democracy and should be provided for every child, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. She advocated tirelessly on behalf of these principles.

In addition to her professional commitments and engagement with education, Gayle was a highly accomplished pianist. She was first taught by her own mother, performing in countless solo recitals and eventually studying under former Dean of the Julliard School, Oscar Wagner. She belonged to the Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority and was a committed member of the Sempre Musical Society -­ an organization that promotes research on the application of psychology and education to music, thereby consolidating Gayle’s great passions. She also remained an active member of the Drama Club of Ogden, sang in the Ogden Chorale and was an admired accompanist for the Schubert Chorus. An avid supporter of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Gayle contributed to outreach efforts, organized performances and hosted competitors from around the globe. She remained an attentive piano teacher throughout her life, passing on a love of music and performance to countless students, young and old, teaching up to 25 students weekly for over 30 years on her beloved Steinway pianos.

Gayle married George Gregersen in 1964. After the dissolution of this marriage she went on to marry John D. Richards in 1981. Together they opened their home and extended their generosity to countless family and friends, and especially to those pursuing higher degrees. Gayle always put others’ needs before her own, no matter what the circumstance.

Gayle’s beloved ‘Westies’ brought her great joy and companionship, as did her flower garden, which was reminiscent of a Monet painting, renowned amongst all who knew her. She also found great comfort in literature and was an active member of the Daria Book Club, an organization dedicated to promoting education and personal development for women, whose name ‘Daria’ derives from the Persian ‘one who seeks knowledge’. This, in essence, was Gayle: a student of life, passionate about seeking and transmitting knowledge, inspiring those around her to join her in bettering the world. She did not seek accolades and attention, preferring instead to extend her support quietly, determinedly, from behind the scenes. To this end, she was most recently a founding member of the progressive SRH, Sisters of the Rebel Hearts.

Gayle is survived by numerous nieces and nephews whose lives she enriched ­ and continues to inspire ­ in countless ways. She is also survived by John’s two daughters, Tracy Manhan and Natalie Woodbury. She is preceded in death by her parents, Myra Shreeve Froerer and Fredrick Froerer; her siblings Fredrick Froerer Jr., Elaine (Froerer) Larkin, Lester ‘Les’ Froerer, William ‘Bill’ Froerer and Robert ‘Bob’ Froerer; and her husband John Richards.

Beloved by all, Gayle’s impact on those who knew her is immeasurable. Her passing has prompted many family members to reflect that if we could be even half as good as Gayle, the world would be a better place.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please donate to CBTU or to the Women’s Democratic Club of Utah.