Richard Sorensen

Richard Ariel Sorensen, 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Hyrum, Utah, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He was born December 6, 1930, in Preston, Idaho, to Roy Ariel Sorensen and Ellen Agatha Monson.

Richard graduated from Preston High School and LDS seminary. He attended Weber State College and Utah State University. Due to family circumstances he had to drop out of USU just a semester or two short of graduating. He expressed regret at not being able to finish his bachelor’s degree but was always supportive of his family members who attended college and earned degrees.

Richard served a mission to the North Central States Mission, primarily in Minnesota and southern Ontario, Canada from1951-1953. When he returned from his mission, he was drafted into the U.S. Army towards the end of the Korean Conflict, serving in South Korea from 1954 – 1955. He drove M54 five-ton trucks for the 541st transportation company, delivering supplies and mail from Chuncheon, the base where he was stationed near the 49th parallel, to Seoul and even south to Busan, Korea.

Richard met his wife, Jean McBride, on a blind date before he left for Korea. They corresponded while he was there and Richard’s letters always included comical drawings he made of things happening in the Army. They were married June 8, 1956, in the Logan Temple.

Early in his marriage, he was employed at Weber Office Supply in Ogden, and after moving to Hyrum, worked at Thiokol Chemical Corporation for 33 ½ years as a material analyst, responsible for ordering and inventorying supplies.

Richard was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including as bishop of Hyrum First Ward beginning October 1991. He enjoyed serving in the Logan Temple baptistry for several years. Richard and Jean served a family history mission in the Iowa Des Moines mission 1998-1999.

Richard was active in Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and served as an Explorer leader for many years, one of his favorite callings. He earned an Eagle, Silver Beaver and was a 60-year veteran of scouting. It was a highlight of his life to be involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the Lions Club and the American Legion.

Richard enjoyed traveling to new places and was happy that his family was able to travel from the west coast to the east coast, to Mexico and Canada together. He enjoyed stopping to read the historical markers and visiting new places and visiting family who were living in different states.

He was an avid collector of military related things, loved building model trucks and airplanes, collecting coins, stamps, and enjoyed vising antique shows .

Richard is survived by his four children, Nancy (Cary) Hyde, Elaine (Harold) Porter, Rod (JaNae), Dave (Jennifer), 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and the family cat, Sam.

Heartfelt thanks to Dad’s Hospice team: Kellianne, Annie, Darren and Hannah. Each of you made a huge difference to Dad and to his family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, with a viewing from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and funeral at 12 pm noon in the Hyrum Utah Central Stake Center, 600 South 200 East, Hyrum, Utah.

Richard loved to tease and to make people happy. In his honor, please do something to make someone smile today. 😊

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.