Kenneth Leo Richmond passed away at home in West Valley City, Utah on June 16, 2025, at the age of 87.
Ken was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 26, 1937, to Francis and Bonnie Richmond. He spent his childhood and young adult years in Omaha, before enlisting in the Army. He served as a Lineman in Missouri and Wisconsin.
After his enlistment, Ken moved to Utah to start a family and obtained an education in computers and electronics. He was married twice and fathered six children before moving back to Omaha where he worked for many years with his brother Ray, primarily doing asbestos removal at many power plants and factories across the Midwest.
Despite living apart from them, he was so proud of his kids and was always excited to share their accomplishments whenever he had the chance. He often said that his fondest memories were when his kids were able to visit him. After his retirement, Ken moved back to Utah and lived with his daughter, Jennifer. It was at this time that one of the young neighbors would come outside and say “Hi Neighborhood” whenever she saw him. That nickname quickly spread to everybody on the street. He was so tickled by that and “Nghbrhd” became his customary sign off on texts and emails.
Ken was a skilled craftsman and loved building things with his hands. He used reclaimed wood to build furniture, building many pieces over his lifetime and was always proud to gift his creations to family and neighbors. He was constantly tinkering and thinking of new ways to improve where he was living; whether it was knocking down a wall, or painting a house purple. If he wasn’t building or rewiring something, he was writing poetry, working in the garden, or studying math equations.
For the last 16 years, Ken was a resident of the Westglen Village community in West Valley City. He kept himself busy and took pride in keeping the community grounds in order. He would spend time beautifying the landscaping and had a daily routine to check for lightbulbs that needed replacing and cleaning up the trash. He was very independent and often rejected offers of help. He remained living on his own until his death.
Ken is survived by his children: Alan (Shelley), Rhonda (Nathan) Dzierzon, Kambra Bott, Nicholas (Yolande), and Jennifer (Joseph) Berry; 15 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sister Jean Nordstrom, brother Ed (Sandi). Preceded in death by parents, son Jared, sisters Darlene and Elaine, brother Ray, and 2 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Ken’s life will be on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building. Ken will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet following the celebration.
