Colleen Rich

1927 — 2024

Alice Colleen Richins Rich passed away on January 21, 2024, a month away from her 97th birthday. This remarkable woman will be greatly missed. She was born February 21, 1927 to Joseph Elijah and Eva Richins. It was a home birth at the Union Pacific (UP) camp near the train tunnels in Echo Canyon. When driving by her birthplace she would always say what a “special place” it was and that a hand should be placed over the heart when passing by.

During her youth she was a champion at jump rope, bike riding and roller-skating. She did with roller skates what the young kids do with skateboards today. Her family moved to Ogden when her father began work at the UP Roundhouse as a “hostler.” Summers were spent in Echo with extended family where she climbed hills and enjoyed horseback riding, fostering a love of the outdoors. Colleen attended Ogden High School and during her senior year worked at the military Arsenal where she met Italian prisoners of war. She and the other workers would attend parties and dances with these “beautiful Italian men.” To say Colleen “loved to dance” is an understatement. She most likely “jitter-bugged” across every dance floor along the Wasatch Front and beyond. As a young woman she gained a variety of skills working at the Defense Depot Ogden, Ensign Drug, Kress General Store, and Utah Bottling Works.

She met the love of her life Albert Dickson Rich in Ogden, and they were married on May 27, 1949. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple in 1963. After Albert graduated from Utah State, they moved to Cedar City where he began teaching. They later settled in Ogden when Albert got a job at Mound Fort Jr. High School.

Al and Colleen had five children and she was often heard saying, “I loved my babies, every one of them”. Colleen was an excellent mother, cook and bread maker and was always willing to share a freshly baked loaf of bread with neighbors and friends. Once the children were older, she worked for Skaggs, Fred M. Nye, and Albertsons. Her most satisfying job was with Weber State College, where she helped to manage the housing office for 15 years. She became the “Weber State Mother” to many students who were living in the dorms and far away from home.

Colleen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, baking, knitting, gardening, and building the family cabin in the Uinta Mountains. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holding a variety of service positions.

Colleen was the last surviving member of her family, being predeceased by her parents and five siblings. Colleen leaves behind five loving children, Debbie Bachman (Mike), Jeff Rich (Cindy), Scott Rich, Julie Rich (Deon Greer), Joe Rich (Lisa), seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Rock Cliff Stake Center, 1000 Suncrest Dr. Ogden, UT 84404. Friends and family may gather to pay their respects Friday, January 26, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd. or Saturday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Rock Cliff Stake Center.