Richard H. Lien

Richard H. Lien passed away on February 17, 2024 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Rick was born November 27, 1950 in Williston, ND to Howard and Betty Lien. He attended school in Grenora, ND. In 1965, Rick moved with his family to Fairfield, MT and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968. He attended college at Montana State University where he met his wife, Kathy Gillen. Rick graduated from MSU in 1972 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Rick and Kathy were married in 1973 and moved to Salt Lake City in June of the same year. Rick worked at the Bureau of Mines for 25 years until it closed. Rick and Brett Waterman started their own business, Compliance Technology, which helped clean up gold mines in Nevada. He also taught Algebra and PE for the Salt Lake City school district for several years.

Rick’s affiliation with the Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) started in 1983 when his son Kris began playing as a 6-year- old. He also coached his daughter Katie through recreation and competition teams. Rick and Kris coached together for over 20 plus years.

Rick moved from a youth coach to an elite coach over a 40- year span. He had a tremendous impact on hundreds of girls through the club programs and won several Utah State Cups. Rick was an assistant coach at East High School and won several state championships. Many of these girls moved on to successful college careers. He was recognized for his achievements with induction into the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022.

Rick enjoyed many genres of music and had an overwhelming number of albums and CDs displaying his music interests. He and Kathy attended numerous concerts and music festivals each year. Rick and Kathy also hiked 100s of miles of trails spanning through several states and countries.

Rick and Kathy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2023.

Rick is survived by his wife, Kathy, his son Kris (Melinda), brother Tim (Lil) and sister Susan (Jim) Hohenboken; grandchildren Olivia and Ava Lien and step grandchildren Owen and Violet Curtis. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Katie (Brett) Burton.

We will celebrate Rick’s life on Friday, March 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Home, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Please visit www.Starksfuneral.com to share photos and memories with Rick’s family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rick Lien Memorial Fund. The fund will provide kids in need of assistance with the opportunity to have their soccer fees paid through the Utah Soccer Alliance. Donations can be made at https://gofund. me/b0749e43