Rick West

Rick Wayne West, age 68, passed away on June 16, 2020, at his home in Taylorsville, UT. He was born on July 30, 1951 in Salt Lake City, UT to his parents Wayne and Betsy West. Shortly after graduating from Hillcrest High School, Rick served his country in the National Guard. He married Paula Christianson West on January 14, 1972, and they had 4 beautiful children. He is survived by his companion Terri White, daughter Allison Streames (Chris), son Cody West (Suzy), son Brandon West (Jamila), daughter Tahnee Heck (Steve), his 12 grandkids and siblings Don, Dean, and Cindy. A private service will be held with immediate family members only. In lieu of flowers, our Dad would love for you to “take a hike”!

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For those of you that knew Rick, you knew that he was either skiing, fishing, or golfing in his younger years, and hiking and painting any opportunity he could get as time wore on. Rick absolutely loved the outdoors, God's country. His desire to be out camping, fishing, hiking, etc, was passed on to all of his children. Most of our fondest memories of Dad have to do with being outside with him. Since Rick would not have wanted a formal viewing or funeral, we hope you all will take a minute to read what his children felt was important to share, to take with you. We also hope you will share a thought or memory of Rick that we, his children, can take with us.

Allison-
I am so grateful for my love of nature and being outdoors because of my dad.
I caught my first fish with him when we were camping, I was about 6. Dad helped me get it off the line but it was already dead. He asked if I wanted to bring it back to show mom but I said "No let's let it go" I knew it was dead but somehow thought it might come back to life by putting it back down the stream. Dad was compassionate and released it. I remember watching it float downstream. I appreciated this memory more as I got older. I might have told my own kids "The fish is dead, forget it" but my dad loved me and knew how to show his love, most of the time.
While he was visiting me in NY, we waited at a train platform. Dad pointed out to me a bird flying overhead with a wiggling fish in it's claws. Not one of the dozens of people with us noticed it. He found wildlife and beauty when others couldn't.
I am grateful for so many things, dads artistic abilities, his raw openness whether you like it or not, his love and support of me, his hugs and kisses.

Cody-
Dad never hesitated to get me and Brandon up in the mountains. Mom never let us drink Coke or caffeine, for obvious reasons, but Dad knew what we liked! Grandpa and Dad took us to Tibble Fork one Saturday to fish. I honestly don't remember doing anything but drinking can after can of Coke and lots of beef jerkey. Dad returned us to Mom that night. We then spent the rest of our night throwing up in at least 3 different rooms, Brandon and I both! I think Dad knew exactly what he was doing that day! Dad, I will never forget our times in the mountains, at Manorlands, fishing the Weber, cross country skiing, hiking on Father's Day, with your shirt off of course! Thank you for teaching me about God's creations and how to love it and respect it. I am so happy that you are my Dad, always and forever!!

Brandon-
"He took me to a place you know...
Where the sun would shine,
Just to help me grow old...
If you give it a chance, it will surely show
It's got checkered trees and covered leaves,
The kind that twine and flow...
They come together with the billowed clouds,
And you will hear the cold winds blow...
They scream I miss my Dad,
And I am sad..."

Tahnee-
Dad, you're gone from this crazy world, and I can feel you stronger that I ever could before. When I think back of the life you lived, to spend time with you, there's nothing I wouldn't give. You were so outdoorsy, a true nature's man. I know when I'm hiking you'll be beside me holding my hand. You were so smart, nothing you didn't know a little bit about. And yet you lived your adult life with a tear in your heart, your lips wore a pout. The pain that resided in you, it never left. I know you fought hard, fighting your demons until your last breath. Your art couldn't save you, nor any other girl. You relied on a drink in your hand and your arm to curl. You tried sobriety for many years. That's when your loved ones bore the least tears. Hiding his love under a drunken vest. Perhaps if given this life once again, he may fill the void in his heart with the love of his children.