Richard Leon Birk
1934 - 2020
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Richard was born January 18, 1934, in American Fork, Utah, to Albert Thornton Birk and Mary Virginia Clinger Birk. His early life was spent growing up in southern California with his three younger sisters: Diana, Janis and Joyce. While attending George Washington High School, he met the love of his life.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: On June 6, 1953, Richard and Janice "Jenelle" Miska married in Los Angeles, California, and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 19, 1959. Richard served in the United States Coast Guard as a sonarman early in their marriage. He had a natural talent under the hood of a car, and after being mentored by his father-in-law, Ed Miska, Richard began his professional career in the automotive industry as a mechanic for Cadillac. He then moved up the corporate ladder and held management positions with Datsun, Toyota, Chrysler, and finally BMW, which took him and his family from California to Colorado, and later on, to Utah, where he retired and spent the rest of his life. He enjoyed camping and was an avid fisherman, spending most of his time fishing the Provo River or one of Utah's many lakes with his three sons, ten grandchildren and countless neighbors and friends. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Richard served in many positions, including: temple worker, counselor in a bishopric, and as a missionary with Jenelle at the Provo Missionary Training Center. A natural born singer and actor, he took every opportunity to participate in church-sponsored roadshows and local community productions. His life and legacy has been felt and will be remembered by many. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Richard Leon Birk, of Orem, Utah, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020. He was 86.
❦ Family Message: "The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Summerfield Retirement and Envision Hospice for their gracious and exceptional care extended over the past few months."
❦ Survived By: His dear wife, Jenelle; his children: Scott (Julie) Birk of Molalla, Oregon; Lisa (Ron) Kowallis of San Antonio, Texas; Amy Jenelle Birk of Orem, Utah; Jeff (Brittany) Birk of Draper, Utah; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
❦ Preceded In Death By: His son, David Aaron Birk; his parents; grandson, Jonathan Scott Birk; great-grandson, Ashton Matthew Birk.
❦ Services & Obituary: © 2020 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Burial: East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery
❦ Military Rites: American Legion
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1934 - 2020
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Richard was born January 18, 1934, in American Fork, Utah, to Albert Thornton Birk and Mary Virginia Clinger Birk. His early life was spent growing up in southern California with his three younger sisters: Diana, Janis and Joyce. While attending George Washington High School, he met the love of his life.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: On June 6, 1953, Richard and Janice "Jenelle" Miska married in Los Angeles, California, and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 19, 1959. Richard served in the United States Coast Guard as a sonarman early in their marriage. He had a natural talent under the hood of a car, and after being mentored by his father-in-law, Ed Miska, Richard began his professional career in the automotive industry as a mechanic for Cadillac. He then moved up the corporate ladder and held management positions with Datsun, Toyota, Chrysler, and finally BMW, which took him and his family from California to Colorado, and later on, to Utah, where he retired and spent the rest of his life. He enjoyed camping and was an avid fisherman, spending most of his time fishing the Provo River or one of Utah's many lakes with his three sons, ten grandchildren and countless neighbors and friends. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Richard served in many positions, including: temple worker, counselor in a bishopric, and as a missionary with Jenelle at the Provo Missionary Training Center. A natural born singer and actor, he took every opportunity to participate in church-sponsored roadshows and local community productions. His life and legacy has been felt and will be remembered by many. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Richard Leon Birk, of Orem, Utah, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020. He was 86.
❦ Family Message: "The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Summerfield Retirement and Envision Hospice for their gracious and exceptional care extended over the past few months."
❦ Survived By: His dear wife, Jenelle; his children: Scott (Julie) Birk of Molalla, Oregon; Lisa (Ron) Kowallis of San Antonio, Texas; Amy Jenelle Birk of Orem, Utah; Jeff (Brittany) Birk of Draper, Utah; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
❦ Preceded In Death By: His son, David Aaron Birk; his parents; grandson, Jonathan Scott Birk; great-grandson, Ashton Matthew Birk.
❦ Services & Obituary: © 2020 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Burial: East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery
❦ Military Rites: American Legion
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Richard Leon Birk
1934 - 2020
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Richard was born January 18, 1934, in American Fork, Utah, to Albert Thornton Birk and Mary Virginia Clinger Birk. His early life was spent growing up in southern California with his three younger sisters: Diana, Janis and Joyce. While attending George Washington High School, he met the love of his life.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: On June 6, 1953, Richard and Janice "Jenelle" Miska married in Los Angeles, California, and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 19, 1959. Richard served in the United States Coast Guard as a sonarman early in their marriage. He had a natural talent under the hood of a car, and after being mentored by his father-in-law, Ed Miska, Richard began his professional career in the automotive industry as a mechanic for Cadillac. He then moved up the corporate ladder and held management positions with Datsun, Toyota, Chrysler, and finally BMW, which took him and his family from California to Colorado, and later on, to Utah, where he retired and spent the rest of his life. He enjoyed camping and was an avid fisherman, spending most of his time fishing the Provo River or one of Utah's many lakes with his three sons, ten grandchildren and countless neighbors and friends. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Richard served in many positions, including: temple worker, counselor in a bishopric, and as a missionary with Jenelle at the Provo Missionary Training Center. A natural born singer and actor, he took every opportunity to participate in church-sponsored roadshows and local community productions. His life and legacy has been felt and will be remembered by many. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Richard Leon Birk, of Orem, Utah, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020. He was 86.
❦ Family Message: "The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Summerfield Retirement and Envision Hospice for their gracious and exceptional care extended over the past few months."
❦ Survived By: His dear wife, Jenelle; his children: Scott (Julie) Birk of Molalla, Oregon; Lisa (Ron) Kowallis of San Antonio, Texas; Amy Jenelle Birk of Orem, Utah; Jeff (Brittany) Birk of Draper, Utah; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
❦ Preceded In Death By: His son, David Aaron Birk; his parents; grandson, Jonathan Scott Birk; great-grandson, Ashton Matthew Birk.
❦ Services & Obituary: © 2020 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Burial: East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery
❦ Military Rites: American Legion
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1934 - 2020
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Richard was born January 18, 1934, in American Fork, Utah, to Albert Thornton Birk and Mary Virginia Clinger Birk. His early life was spent growing up in southern California with his three younger sisters: Diana, Janis and Joyce. While attending George Washington High School, he met the love of his life.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: On June 6, 1953, Richard and Janice "Jenelle" Miska married in Los Angeles, California, and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 19, 1959. Richard served in the United States Coast Guard as a sonarman early in their marriage. He had a natural talent under the hood of a car, and after being mentored by his father-in-law, Ed Miska, Richard began his professional career in the automotive industry as a mechanic for Cadillac. He then moved up the corporate ladder and held management positions with Datsun, Toyota, Chrysler, and finally BMW, which took him and his family from California to Colorado, and later on, to Utah, where he retired and spent the rest of his life. He enjoyed camping and was an avid fisherman, spending most of his time fishing the Provo River or one of Utah's many lakes with his three sons, ten grandchildren and countless neighbors and friends. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Richard served in many positions, including: temple worker, counselor in a bishopric, and as a missionary with Jenelle at the Provo Missionary Training Center. A natural born singer and actor, he took every opportunity to participate in church-sponsored roadshows and local community productions. His life and legacy has been felt and will be remembered by many. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Richard Leon Birk, of Orem, Utah, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020. He was 86.
❦ Family Message: "The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Summerfield Retirement and Envision Hospice for their gracious and exceptional care extended over the past few months."
❦ Survived By: His dear wife, Jenelle; his children: Scott (Julie) Birk of Molalla, Oregon; Lisa (Ron) Kowallis of San Antonio, Texas; Amy Jenelle Birk of Orem, Utah; Jeff (Brittany) Birk of Draper, Utah; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
❦ Preceded In Death By: His son, David Aaron Birk; his parents; grandson, Jonathan Scott Birk; great-grandson, Ashton Matthew Birk.
❦ Services & Obituary: © 2020 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Burial: East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery
❦ Military Rites: American Legion
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
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