Richard Kurland Harrison

We mourn the loss of a kind, gentle, intelligent, and talented man with a strong heart whose life was reduced by the ravages of Alzheimer’s. While this disease began in his 50’s it never took away his positive gentle spirit or sense of humor.

Born in Salt Lake City on September 25, 1945, to Vestil and Catherine Harrison, Richard left this World on May 30, 2019.

Accepting and tolerant of all, he would not utter an unkind word about anyone. He saw possibilities in people and in things. His capable hands could build, fix anything or comfort those he loved. And he continually grew becoming an aerospace engineer, architect, builder, developer and world traveler.

Richard spent his youth in Centerville, Utah. (A special fairytale town where he could raise rabbits, build gardens, and pitch for his Dad’s legendary little league teams.) He earned his Eagle Scout award and graduated with honors from Bountiful High School. He was selected to represent Utah at the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia and was also recognized as the Utah Silver Scholar for Science. His engineer studies at the University of Utah were postponed during the Vietnam War when he joined the Air National Guard. Finishing his highly technical training at the top of his class he decided to start a career in Engineering at Westinghouse Aerospace in Baltimore.

There, he ran an engineering department that worked on parts of the first television camera to go into space. And it was while in Maryland he met and married Susan Badger, his soul mate for 51 years. They began their married life together in Utah when Richard returned to work along side of his father to develop and build a post retirement opportunity, Centerville Mobile Estates, for his dad to own and manage.

Richard’s career continued as he returned to college in Arizona to follow a dream and graduate from ASU in architecture. He started practicing with well-known architect, Benny Gonzales where he learned a whole new way to look at the world. He extended his expertise to become a Quality Engineer Analyst and a developer with Artcraft Construction. Combining his talents Richard worked with two associates to then start his own company- ADA (Arizona Development Affiliates). During the building boom they were busy and successful, specializing in hotels, motels, colleges, and credit unions. Hundreds of Richard’s buildings can be found throughout Arizona, California, and other western states.

Richard’s proudest and happiest moments began with the birth of is son, Vestil Tyler. A special bond grew as Richard shared his talents and supported Tyler especially with his soccer adventures. Best friends, they traveled to practices all over the valley, to the western United States to tournaments and took Tyler’s teams to Switzerland and Brazil. Richard made sure that many other players could travel on these tours receiving the appreciation of the players and their families. Tyler and Richard took their dream trip to South Africa to attend the World Cup soccer matches. His other travels with his wife, son, and family were taken around the World from Tahiti, to Alaska, to Hawaii, to Europe/Asia, Mediterrian, to the Caribbean and to almost every state.

Richard’s greatest accomplishment was as loving and supportive Son, Father, Husband, and Brother. His wife, Susan and his beloved son, best friend, Tyler, survive him. Also surviving Richard are his siblings Lani Kay (Gayle) Christensen, Cecelia (Cece) Foxley, and Rulon Harrison, all of Utah as well multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family is grateful to Robert Rimer long time friend and 11th hour volunteer, the

Very caring and special team at Family Care Homes-Encanto House, and the incredible supportive team from Hospice of the Valley.

The family will hold a memorial service in Centerville, Utah on June 19th.

A small party to toast Richard and his exceptional life will be held in Tempe, Arizona at the Lakes Clubhouse on June 9th, from 3 to 6pm (Richard and Susan’s wedding anniversary date).

Those who wish to remember Richard may go to

Neptune Society web site.

If you wish to contribute to research to stop Alzheimer’s:

Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org)

Alzheimer’s Association

340 E. Palm Lane #230

Phoenix, Arizona 85004,

Or Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org)