In Memory of Grandpa Hiatt

Richard Gordon Hiatt, Andrew's grandpa, passed away on May 2. He had pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition, and had been declining significantly over the past several months. His passing was not a surprise, but it was still sad to say good-bye.

Here's a copy of his obituary:

Richard Hiatt Obituary
RICHARD G. HIATT
1924-2018

Dr. Richard Gordon Hiatt, 93, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2018, in South Jordan, Utah, of pulmonary fibrosis.

Dick was born at home on November 28, 1924, in La Grande, Oregon, to John and Julia Roundy Hiatt, and was the youngest of five children. He attended local schools, graduating from La Grande High School in 1943. From a young age he loved movies and theatre and in high school was involved in journalism and drama and acted in many school plays. Dick grew up during the Great Depression and worked hard during his youth. Some of his jobs included working at a hardware store, an ice cream parlor and - his favorite - the Granada Theatre.

After high school Dick enlisted in the Navy, where he served his country from 1943-1946. During World War II he served aboard the USS Anderson, the USS Ruchamkin, and also spent much of his time doing office work since he was one of the few servicemen who could type and take shorthand. In 2015 he participated with other veterans in a Utah Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC, to visit the World War II Memorial.

Dick served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the French mission, headquartered in Geneva Switzerland, from 1948-1950, where he served as mission secretary, 2nd counselor to the mission president, and Branch President of the Geneva Branch.

He met Shirley Anderson, originally from Salt Lake City, at a church dance in La Grande in 1947. They were married on December 27, 1951, in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple. They are the parents of three daughters, Barbara, Julie and Denise.

Dick received bachelor's and master's degrees in Speech from the University of Oregon, and a PhD in Theatre from Brigham Young University. He was a Professor of English, Speech and Theatre at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande for 32 years, where he was a beloved teacher and directed over 60 plays, bringing high quality theatre to the La Grande community. Following his retirement from EOU, he continued to travel throughout Oregon for several years conducting communication workshops.

Dick was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was actively engaged in church service throughout his life. His callings included institute teacher, High Councilor, Bishop of the La Grande 2nd ward, and Stake Executive Secretary of the La Grande Oregon Stake for 18 years. He was also a dedicated home teacher.

Dick and Shirley made their home in La Grande for 55 years, where they raised their three daughters. They enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast, camping, and musical and church activities. They relocated to Sandy, Utah, in 2006, and to South Jordan, Utah, in 2017. Dick was a movie buff, story teller, puzzle do-er, grammar expert, family historian, loving husband, and devoted father and grandpa. He was fastidious about his yard, could fix just about anything, was a great whistler, and could play the piano by ear (as long as it was in the key of F); his signature song was "Blues in the Night." Always curious and engaged in the world around him, he was a wonderful friend and neighbor and could strike up a conversation with anyone. For the last several years he has lovingly cared for his wife, Shirley, who has been in failing health. He was truly a member of the Greatest Generation, a stellar example to his family, and will be deeply missed.

Dick is survived by his wife, Shirley, of South Jordan, UT; daughters Barbara Sweat (Dennis) of South Jordan, UT; Julie Higgins (Thomas) of Vancouver, WA; Denise Haynie (Joseph) of Draper, UT; 8 grandchildren, Angela Hallstrom (Woodbury, MN), Andrew Sweat (Greensboro, NC), Anthony Sweat (Springville, UT), Amy Huish (Castle Rock, Colorado), Benjamin Higgins (Seattle, WA), Julia Warren (Poway, CA), Russell Higgins (Everett, WA), and Emma Haynie (Draper, UT); and 23 great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jack, Elwood, and David Hiatt; a sister, Barbara Hiatt Bean; and a great-grandson, Wyatt Hallstrom.

The family would like to thank the staff of Sagewood Assisted Living and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their loving and attentive care during the last months of Dick's life.

Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, May 5, at 11:00 am, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd (10600 So.) in Sandy, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:45 am. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences may be offered at www.larkincares.com.

Back to my words:

Grandpa Hiatt was just about the coolest 93-year-old you'll ever meet. He had a blog at the height of blogging popularity. He was on Instagram. He only posted occassionally, but still. How cool is that?

One of our other favorite things about Grandpa is he would send all of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids homemade cards on their birthdays. We looked forward to those cards every year. They were personalized with a picture that usually had a birthday hat photoshopped on top of our heads. It was the best. Birthdays won't be the same without those cards.

When we got the news of his passing, we looked at our schedules and decided that Andrew, me, and both girls would fly out for the funeral. It was the same weekend as one of Brandon's proms with Emily and he felt like he couldn't dog her. We decided to just leave him home by himself (a first!).

We don't fly very often.

It was nice.

Care Bear got her wings. 

One of our flights was pretty empty.

We got the whole back row to ourselves.

Roomy.

C loved it when she had the window seat.

Our first night in Utah, we had a cookout at Tony and Cindy's house.

Even though it was a sad occasion, 

it was so wonderful to see so many of our family members.

The third graders plus Carly.

It was a beautiful evening.

The next day was the funeral.

It was at a funeral home.

Grandma Hiatt was not quite sure what to do.

It was so sad. She said, "I think I'm going to cry."

Barb told her that was okay and she did mourn for him.

She has dementia, so it was a very confusing situation for her.

The great-grandkids and Emma sang,

"I Feel My Savior's Love."

It was so sweet.

The funeral was a beautiful celebration of Grandpa's life.

The part that stood out the most to me was the loving,

lasting relationship that Grandma and Grandpa Hiatt shared.

It was very touching.

Since Grandpa is a veteran, there were two sailors in uniform

who folded a flag and presented it to Grandma.

Grandma wasn't sure what to do with it and at one point 

said to Barb, "I'm holding a flag!"

The cemetery is beautiful with these 

gorgeous mountains in the background.

All of our siblings, nieces, and nephews who could make it.

We were missing a few, including Brandon who felt

like he couldn't miss prom two of three with Emily.

The wonderful part about funerals is getting to see 

so many loved ones, especially when you live on the

other side of the country from them.

Still holding the flag.

We had a yummy lunch catered by Olive Garden afterward.

Tony and Andrew with their cousin, Russell,

who looks like he could be a third brother.

And with Dave...

who doesn't look like he could be a brother. Ha ha!

While we were in town, we celebrated Grandpa's birthday.

The girls dressed up in Grandma's fancy clothes.

And they had a tea party.

One of the things they always look forward to with Grandma!

Yummy Sunday dinner.

And before we knew it, it was time to head home.

So happy we could be there to say good-bye to Grandpa.

He will be missed!

And grateful that Brandon was safe here at home. He even went to seminary both days and made it to church on his own. Thankful to Natalie for inviting him over for dinner on Sunday night. We're so lucky to have great friends who step in like family when we need them.