Robert Rydalch

In the early morning hours of July 1, 2022, our loving father passed away peacefully, returning to the side of his sweetheart Jean Alyce Rydalch. Dad spent his last hours surrounded by the family he had built and was so proud of.

Dad was the oldest of seven children to Robert Wallace and Adena Bertoch Rydalch of Hunter, Utah. At an early stage in life, Dad learned the value of hard work by working on the farm, side-by-side with his grandpa Bertoch and his uncle Phil. During these tough and trying times, Dad developed his work ethic and devotion to his family by helping to provide for them, which he continued to do throughout his life. Dad’s saying that “it’s all about family” would direct all his decisions throughout his life.

In his adolescence, Dad made one of the best decisions of his life when he hopped on the wrong bus and ventured off to Brockbank Junior High instead of his assigned school, Valley Junior High. There Dad met the love of his life--Jean Alyce Hendrickson. They courted through junior high and Cyprus High School, graduating together in 1954. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple September 29, 1955. Dad loved and cared for our dear mom deeply and was heartbroken at her passing a year ago.

Together they raised their family in the communities of Murray, Hunter, and Oakley, Utah. They strived to live as close to family as possible, and Dad and Mom were always together supporting their children and grandchildren in everything they participated in, rarely missing any event, no matter the location.

Dad attended the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. Mom supported Dad while he attended, and he always attributed his success to her. Fresh out of college, Dad’s first job was at Hercules Corporation where he worked on such projects as the second stage rocket booster for Voyager, the Minuteman Missile program, and the caseless bullets for the F-16. In 1972, after a request to move his family back East for work, he made the decision to remain by family and went to work at Wasatch Electric where he worked as a project manager, operations manager, and general manager. While doing this, Dad became involved in the NECA organization, working to better the electrical contracting industry in the Intermountain West. He was honored to be inducted into the organization’s academy upon his retirement. In 1994, Dad and his brothers made the decision to start their own electrical business, Rydalch Electric, where he retired in 2002.

Dad and Mom were very devoted to their faith, and Dad served in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Young Men’s, and as Bishop, Stake President, and Temple Sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. However, the calling he was most proud of was the opportunity he had to serve with his sweetheart as the executive secretary in the Asia Area office in Hong Kong.

We rejoice that Dad is once again at the side of his sweetheart, and want to thank those who cared for him at the end of this life, including Brittany Stapleton, and Liu Palu with Caring Hearts. They helped Dad to be able to stay at home and be around family until his passing.

Survived by his children Robyn (Rodney Sorenson), Michelle (Alan Sorensen), Craig (Kena), Mark (Amy), 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, siblings Ruby (Shirley Larsen), Clyde (Lalien), Nancy (Joseph Hancock), Karen (Tom Kearns), Frank (Sandy). Preceded in death by parents and sister Barbara (Larry Boynton).

Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, July 7, 2022, at the Kamas LDS Stake Center, 3038 State Road 32.  Visitation will be Wednesday, July 6, 2022, from 6:00 till 8:00 pm and again Thursday 9:30 till 10:45 am prior to services at the church.