Richard Thomas DeLaMare

Richard Thomas DeLaMare, our beloved, quiet-giant of a man passed away May 26, 2022 after being diagnosed with malignant spindle cell neoplasm, a rare brain tumor, just 2 months prior. 

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Rich began his life journey in Kahuku, Hawaii, which explains his great love for the vast ocean and the beauties of the earth. At age three, his family moved to Missouri where he loved spending hours in the forest, playing by the creek, and having wonderful adventures with his dog, Mandy, and his four siblings.

Rich was known for his speed and agility, running short distance track and playing soccer as a defender through high school. His love for running and soccer never dwindled. He took great pleasure in racing his wife and kids and was always fast enough to win, even when running backwards. He continuously played soccer on various leagues and coached his children’s soccer teams throughout the years. 

Rich spent as much time as he could outdoors and instantly fell in love with Utah when he began studying at Brigham Young University. While there, he was first attracted to his future wife, Amy Stout, when he saw her walking down the street wearing her hiking boots, ripped jean shorts, and baggy t-shirt with her climbing gear hanging out of her backpack. This was the beginning of 26 happy years of marriage, which brought six amazing kids who embraced the endless hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, motorcycling, boating, skiing, and exploring. Rich always wanted to see what was around the next bend or behind the next peak, sometimes to the chagrin of his children who, from an early age, became accustomed to going the distance. 

Rich loved nothing more than a storm rolling in and the cool breeze that accompanies it. If he saw the dark clouds gathering, instead of retreating inside, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the hills to welcome and embrace the majesty and moisture. He loved the wind in his hair and encouraged evening walks with Amy, just to catch the canyon breeze. 

Rich had an inquisitive mind. He was a deep thinker and avid reader with a gift for storytelling and writing. Some of his children’s favorite memories are sitting around the campfire listening to his stories, full of plot twists and characters that came to life, along with his witty and subtle sense of humor that kept you on your toes.

Rich served a full-time mission in Munich, Germany for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He absorbed himself in the work and loved testifying and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He felt deep affection for the German people and took great pleasure in riding his bike through the gorgeous countryside, marveling at the architecture and learning of the rich history in that area. To cap off his degree in Construction Management and German at BYU, he took Amy and their first child, Sage, to live there while he completed an internship speaking German and working for a large construction company. It was an adventure that they cherished. 

Not only did Rich play hard, he worked hard. His attention to detail, dedicated work ethic and thoughtful, active listening made Rich a great leader. He was soft-spoken and deliberate with his words, and his words were always backed with enormous love and understanding. He had a heart of gold and was fiercely loyal to those he loved. 

Throughout his career, Rich completed many notable projects. He worked for various commercial construction companies as a project manager but settled into his position at Jacobsen Construction Company, which he truly loved. He appreciated the culture at Jacobsen, and most importantly, he valued the people he worked with. His team became some of his closest friends. The most meaningful projects Rich did were working on temples. He was able to renovate the Houston, Texas Temple after Hurricane Harvey hit and was over the north annex of the Salt Lake Temple Renovation at the time of his passing. This was a capstone opportunity to work on the state’s most iconic construction project.

Rich had a passion for the process of building and after his days at work managing construction projects he enjoyed coming home and getting his hands dirty. At the beginning of their marriage, Rich and Amy started a tradition of building furniture and found that they had a good groove when working together. At one point they designed, drafted and built a home and since that time have remodeled and updated Under his quiet shell were mountains and oceans of life and love. the home they currently live in. It brings the family great comfort to be in a home infused with Rich’s work and artistry. 

Rich was a solid man who blessed the lives of those who knew him. He truly was successful in everything he did. He was a loving husband and incredible dad. One of the meanings of Richard’s name is brave, and that is what he has always been. The only thing that worried him about dying was leaving behind his family. He was a spiritual giant and had an unwavering faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ. One of his favorite scriptures was Moses 6:34 “Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee from before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore, walk with me.”

Rich’s moving on is simply a step toward what we are all shooting for. Our hearts take great comfort that he is on the other side with his son, Luke, who passed away at age 18 on September 11, 2019. Surely, their reunion was tender and joyous. Together they will be a powerful force for good as they help lead us along and make preparations for the Lord’s second coming to the earth.

Rich is greatly loved and will be sorely missed by his wife, Amy; their 5 remaining children, Seth (18), Ava (18), Elsa (15), Clare (11), and Sage (23), her husband George, and the daughter they are expecting in late June; his parents, John and Carolyn DeLaMare; his siblings, Michele (Stewart Chase), David (Karen), Andrew, and Diana; and a host of other family members and friends. 

Gatherings will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

Mueller Park Chapel, 1800 East Mueller Park Road, Bountiful, Utah. 

Visitation: Tuesday, May 31 (6-8 pm) 

Memorial: Wednesday, June 1 (10 am–11 am).

Interment: Memorial Lakeview Cemetery (1640 Lakeview Dr, Bountiful, UT).

The family wishes to thank Rich’s care team in the neuro-surgery and oncology clinics at IMC as well as our family, friends, neighbors, and community members who have loved and supported us through this. We are so grateful for you.