Richard H. Lien
November 27, 1950 - February 17, 2024
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
In Loving Memory
Rick was my coach for a few years. He was a man of few words but his heart spoke volumes. I'm sad to hear of his passing. The world, soccer and otherwise will be a little less wise now. Sending love to his family.
Rick coached me through those tumultuous teenage years and his impact on my life, both on and off the field, reverberates today. I am forever grateful for his stoic, kind, and ever-calm presence. Rick’s dedication to the girls he coached was remarkable. Thank you, Lien family, for sharing him with the world.
Dear Kathy. My heart is extremely saddened by the loss of Richard. Please accept my deepest condolences. I will pray for you and your family. ����❤️����❤️ Rosanne Henderson
Rick coached our daughter for years, and he was not only a wonderful coach, but a wonderful human being as well. He was smart, kind, thoughtful and generous. Rick was just a good and decent human being. Hard to find these days.
Dear Rick, Novembers UYSA meeting feels like yesterday. As always I enjoyed your wit and wisdom. You years of dedicated service to a sport that feeled your heart with a passion, perseverance and love for your fellow humans. God speed to your next pitch to and adventure. Rest well treasured friend To the Lien Family, Thank you for all your support and sharing of Ricks talents. My deepest sympathy fro your loss.
I share a small piece of your loss because my memories of Rick and all of you were so brief in years of flux. Rick may have been the kindest and purest gentleman I knew in Salt Lake, but he came from Montana so that can be expected. I have no joy left today to leave anyone. God love you all, and Happy Trails Rick.
Kathy, Our condolences for your loss of Rick. We are just back from vacationing in Hawaii so we will not be able to attend, but our thoughts will be will you. Many great memories of our times together. Russ & Dione
I will always cherish the times that we were able to share with him and the rest of the family. Wishing you and the family stregth in your sadness. We are all here if you need anything.
Hello Kathy, We just learned about Rick's passing. We are so sorry for your loss. We were fortunate enough to know him and Katie through soccer. He was such a special coach to our daughter, Sara and her team. She learned so much from him. We were also lucky to have you as cabin neighbors and we will miss seeing him up in Silverfork. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, The Barnett Family
Kathy & Kris, I just learned about Rick's passing. I'm so sorry that you have lost the two most precious people. Rick was a special friend to Mike. He always talked about your family with such tenderness and humor. Rick and Katie make such a differnce in so many young lives that they leave a beautiful legacy. You're in my prayers. Becky Kernodle
In Loving Memory
