Richard Himmel

On July 7, 2021, Richard Philip Himmel, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in St. George, Utah, surrounded by his loving family. Richard courageously fought Parkinson’s Disease for over 15 years. Richard was a patient, generous and tolerant man who loved his family.

Richard was born in 1934 in Lorretta, Pennsylvania to Verna Baker and Leo Himmel. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952, serving as a Radio Operator with the Strategic Air Command during the Korean War. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drexel University in 1967. In 1969 Richard was hired by the Hughes Aircraft Corporation and moved his family across the country to Southern California. Richard retired from Hughes in 1993 and settled in St. George.

Richard was an engineer and loved to build things. He designed and built a house in Bloomington Hills from the ground up. Richard loved to sing; he sang tenor as a member of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir, the Tuacahn Choir, and several Men’s Barbershop Quartets. He loved to fish, whether from the coast of California or a Utah mountain lake.

Richard was preceded in death by Mary Olive Himmel, his loving wife of 39 years. He is survived by his daughters Sherry, Miki and Erica, and his son, Richard.

A viewing will take place at McMillan Mortuary on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 9:00 AM, followed by a graveside ceremony at St. George City Cemetery at 10:00 AM.