1988
Bruce
2015
Bruce Richards
December 21, 1988 — July 31, 2015
Bruce Derrill Richards died unexpectedly on Friday July 31, 2015 in Clarksville, TN. He was 26. He would have liked to think that his death was caused by the collective despair of the dozens of heartbroken women he left behind when he married his best friend and love of his life, Stephany Piña on June 23, 2015.
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the hospital sponsored by circus magnate P.T. Barnum. That may have been a determining factor in his happy, easygoing personality. He moved to Falmouth, Maine as a toddler where he grew up and graduated from Cheverus High School.
Bruce was 1st Lieutenant, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Since he was a child, Bruce was ready for adventure, challenge, and mischief. At three years old, he thought jumping from the top of the stairs was a kick. By 15, hunting the skunks that sprayed his dog was a thrilling, albeit smelly, challenge. At 18, Airsoft gun battles - that frightened neighbors into thinking masked gunman were invading their quiet corner of the Maine woods - was hilarious. As a decorated member of the Maine Civil Air Patrol, that adventurous spirit was channeled in a direction tailored made for him.
He enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with a full ROTC scholarship, where he graduated with a degree in Geospatial Intelligence and was commissioned as an Officer in the Army of the United States in 2013. He also took two years away from school and military service to serve an LDS mission in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission.
After four years of dating, he eloped with Piña (aka Stephany) to Fort Lauderdale, FL to the delight of both families. This most special occasion was witnessed and shared by both sets of parents.
Bruce is an Eagle Scout, a graduate of The United States Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, winner of ROTC Ranger Challenge, and Fort Benning Long Distance Rifle Shooting Competition. He is also the recipient of the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
He is a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and grandson whose relaxed manner and sarcastic sense of humor will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Piña, father and mother Bruce and Nancy Richards, brother Peter Richards, sister Amanda Richards Peeler, grandparents Derrill and Colleen Richards, and father- and mother-in-law Edgardo and Lucy Piña. We know through the love of Jesus Christ we will see Bruce again and the reunion will be full of laughter and happiness.
Funeral services will be held Monday August 10 at 1 pm, with a viewing beforehand at 12 pm at the LDS Chapel at 13400 South 1300 East, Draper, Utah. There will also be a viewing Sunday August 9 from 6-8 pm at Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah. Interment with full military honors will be at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 E). Memories may be shared at www.holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the hospital sponsored by circus magnate P.T. Barnum. That may have been a determining factor in his happy, easygoing personality. He moved to Falmouth, Maine as a toddler where he grew up and graduated from Cheverus High School.
Bruce was 1st Lieutenant, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Since he was a child, Bruce was ready for adventure, challenge, and mischief. At three years old, he thought jumping from the top of the stairs was a kick. By 15, hunting the skunks that sprayed his dog was a thrilling, albeit smelly, challenge. At 18, Airsoft gun battles - that frightened neighbors into thinking masked gunman were invading their quiet corner of the Maine woods - was hilarious. As a decorated member of the Maine Civil Air Patrol, that adventurous spirit was channeled in a direction tailored made for him.
He enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with a full ROTC scholarship, where he graduated with a degree in Geospatial Intelligence and was commissioned as an Officer in the Army of the United States in 2013. He also took two years away from school and military service to serve an LDS mission in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission.
After four years of dating, he eloped with Piña (aka Stephany) to Fort Lauderdale, FL to the delight of both families. This most special occasion was witnessed and shared by both sets of parents.
Bruce is an Eagle Scout, a graduate of The United States Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, winner of ROTC Ranger Challenge, and Fort Benning Long Distance Rifle Shooting Competition. He is also the recipient of the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
He is a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, and grandson whose relaxed manner and sarcastic sense of humor will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Piña, father and mother Bruce and Nancy Richards, brother Peter Richards, sister Amanda Richards Peeler, grandparents Derrill and Colleen Richards, and father- and mother-in-law Edgardo and Lucy Piña. We know through the love of Jesus Christ we will see Bruce again and the reunion will be full of laughter and happiness.
Funeral services will be held Monday August 10 at 1 pm, with a viewing beforehand at 12 pm at the LDS Chapel at 13400 South 1300 East, Draper, Utah. There will also be a viewing Sunday August 9 from 6-8 pm at Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah. Interment with full military honors will be at Holladay Memorial Park, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 E). Memories may be shared at www.holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com
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