Richard Vagn Hansen

Richard Vagn Hansen
Amalga, UT—Our beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Richard V. Hansen, 79, passed away on January 21, 2010.
Richard was born in Amalga, Utah on August 30, 1930, a son of Vagn Wilford and Ruth Schiess Hansen. He was the oldest of five sons. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood on the farm in Amalga with his brothers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was proud of his heritage and the land that was his life-long home.
He attended Summit Elementary School in Smithfield and graduated from North Cache High School in Richmond in 1948. Richard enjoyed socializing in school, making friends, playing in the band and participating in sports—which became a passion that fueled his life. Baseball particularly held a fascination for Richard. His friends would join him on major league baseball outings at an early age, as he set out on road trips his first two summers out of high school, one trip to Chicago and St. Louis, and another trip to New York. These adventures he would speak of often. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan to the end.
Richard was drafted and served in the Korean conflict from 1950-51. He served in the U.S. Army as a line medic. He was proud to be a veteran and was fiercely proud of this country.
On September 26, 1952, Richard married his sweetheart and companion, Mary LuDean Nielsen . They were sealed in the Logan L.D.S. Temple for time and eternity. He was appreciative of her unwaivering support of his many activities. She will miss her best friend! Richard and LuDean had two sons and two daughters from their union. Richard’s greatest love was his family. He appreciated spending time with all of them, especially being involved in the many activities of his children and grandchildren. He was the most loyal fan of his family in all of their endeavors.
Scouting and youth involvement brought Richard joy and fulfillment. He served for 25 years as a Scout master and Explorer leader, and also served for 35 years as an athletic director for the Latter-day Saints Church. He loved coaching the youth, particularly his sons, but even in his later years he had a grand time coaching the young men, his patience endless.
Farming was Richard’s livelihood along with distributing agricultural products. He loved working the land and the many relationships he developed with farmers all around Cache Valley, in Idaho and Wyoming. He was a great salesman. He always made customer service his number one priority in his business dealings. He enjoyed the work of the land, but more than that, he loved working on the farm and dairy because he could work alongside his Dad, brother, sons, grandkids, and nephew. He was always grateful for the flexibility working with family afforded him. He knew farming was hard work that required a team effort.

Richard will be remembered by many for his tireless service to the community through the Smithfield Blue Sox Baseball organization. In 2009 he celebrated his 60th year with the team and his 47th year as manager. In his 47 years of coaching and managing the team he missed only four dates and six games. He happily managed his 2500th game on May 9, 2009 during Smithfield City Health Days. He will forever be remembered as “Mr. Baseball” to many. The good times and friends that came through the baseball team were cherished by Richard. He was thankful for the support of the community, the players, fans, Board of Directors, the Smithfield Lions Club, sponsors, media, and the City of Smithfield for believing in him and the team. In the off-season he was eagerly preparing for spring to begin a new season in helping to provide entertainment and sport for participants and spectators. Many of his dearest friends were part of the Blue Sox organization.
During his tenure as “The Skipper” of the Blue Sox he accepted special awards, including: “Smithfield City’s Outstanding Citizen”, inductee in the U.S. Open Baseball Hall of Fame, honorary member of the Major League Baseball Association,” Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor” awardee, “Utah Sports Hall of Fame” inductee, and one of his greatest honors, the naming of Richard V. Hansen Baseball Park in recognition of his commitment to Smithfield City and baseball.
Richard was an avid stamp collector, a history buff, a great ballroom dancer, and loved to plan social activities and parties. He appreciated live musical and theatre events. He enjoyed a good puzzle or game of Trivial Pursuit—he possessed an amazing memory. For many years he attended all Utah State University home football and basketball games. He liked supporting the Aggies and the Utah Jazz. In recent years he could be found at Sky View cheering on his grandchildren. He loved to travel and was an adventurer.
He was a friend to all and never met anyone he disliked. His soul and heart were golden. To his last day, he counted friends from every facet, time, and era of his life as treasures to maintain. He had a gift for making everyone feel important and special. He will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends.
Richard is survived by his loving wife LuDean, his four children, David (Linda Christensen) Hansen and Paul (Kathleen Zilles) Hansen, Amalga; Amy Hansen, Salt Lake City; Emily (Charles) Schoffstall, Clayton, CA, and grandchildren; Alisa (Jeremiah) Esplin, Ashley (Bryan) Jensen, Hayley, April, Jordan, Megan and Nicole Hansen, Benjamin and Logan Schoffstall, great-grandchildren; Dominic, Nicholas and Dakota Jensen, and Paige and Peyton Esplin. He is survived by his brothers, Keith (Carroll), Sheridan (Annette), Sidney (Maridene), Dean (Relle). Survivors also include brother-in-law, Val (Arlean) Nielsen and sister-in-law, Renee Nielsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Gordon and Ebba Winborg Nielsen and sister-in-law, Carol Woodruff Hansen.
Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at the Benson Stake Center in Amalga, Utah, 6575 North 2400 West, Amalga. Family and friends may call on Monday, January 25 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. Friends may also call at the Stake Center the day of the service from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at the Smithfield City Cemetery immediately following the services. Condolences may be extended to the family through the Allen-Hall Mortuary website at www.allenmortuaries.net .
In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to the Smithfield Blue Sox organization at any Wells Fargo Branch under the account of Paul Hansen/Richard V. Hansen Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice. Richard was generous and supported many charitable organizations.