Richard "Rick" Barth

Richard Charles Barth, “Rick” of Bailey, Colorado died from complications of Leukemia on Friday, October 28, 2022. He was born in Rochester, New York on July 18, 1943 to Dorothy Arlene Beamish and Charles George Barth. Growing up, Rick’s severe asthma kept him home where he learned to bake bread, wood working and leather work that kept him busy and occupied his mind.

As a youth, Rick gained a great love of the outdoors while working for three years at BSA Camp Massawepie in Tupper Lake, New York. He kept his love of the Boy Scouts throughout his life.

After graduating from high school in Rochester, Rick attended Michigan State University where he was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity and received his BA in forestry.

After graduation, Rick worked in Laos with the International Voluntary Service. Upon his return, he enrolled in the graduate forestry program of Colorado State University where he met Ruth Stewart. They were married on November 28, 1969 and were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Latter-day Saint temple in Utah, by Elder Thomas S. Monson, a future president of the church.

After receiving his master’s degree at CSU, Ruth and Rick moved to Tucson, Arizona where Rick received his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Arizona. They also became parents of Steven Stewart and his sister Christine Ann while living in Tucson.

The family returned to Colorado where Rick worked for the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute as a senior research ecologist. He then founded his own company for environmental consulting, Soil Plant Systems and worked in both Nepal and Brazil. His love for research and science led Rick to become a chemistry professor for Front Range Community College. He kept that beloved position until his retirement in 2019. While at Front Range, he received the Teaching Excellence Award in 2014.

Rick was a prolific writer of both academic and nonfiction books. He authored three technical books including Environmental Health and Safety for Hazardous Waste Sites along with historical books entitled Pioneers of the Colorado Parks and Stories of the Stewart Ranch.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rick worked in the Boy Scouting program as a leader of his son’s Boy Scout troops. He also served for many years as financial clerk for his local church congregation. In the Denver Temple the couple served as service missionaries. Rick had a devout testimony of his Saviour, and that testimony carried him through his most difficult trials.

Rick was actively involved with the Posse of the Denver Westerners where he served for many years as the Keeper of Marks and Brands for that organization. He edited the Brand Book which comes out every ten years. He also served on the Board of the South Park City Organization as the secretary. He especially loved their History Days which occurred every August where he enacted the Drug Store pharmacist.

Rick had a deep love of his mountain homes in Bailey, Colorado and the Stewart Ranch in Woodland, Utah. He adored hiking, riding horses, building trails, mountain biking and especially being with his family.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Ruth; his children: Steven (Dawn Marie) and Christine (Joshua Napier); as well as grandchildren: Amanda (Owen Tanner), Tyler, Tanner, Keaton, William, Madelyn, Parker and Chloe. The couple also have two great grandchildren: Kylian and Maeve. Rick is also survived by his sister, Beverly (David Kress) from Rochester, New York.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m., Friday evening, November 4th at the Horan & McConaty Lakewood facility, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd.

A public funeral service for Rick will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7645 Malamute Drive in Evergreen, CO 80439. A visitation will be held at the Church prior to the service from 10:00-10:45 a.m. The Funeral service will be available to view virtually by joining the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99415241729?pwd=QVVPZDhMMVdCUTNiN3lVaVNtaFRnUT09 Meeting ID: 994 1524 1729 - Passcode: 860896

A graveside service for family and friends will be in the Woodland Cemetery in Kamas, Utah on Tuesday, November 8th at 11:00 a.m.

Special donations can be made in Rick’s name to the Kate Holbrook Endowed Scholarship Fund through the churchofjesuschrist.org: https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/byu/humanities/holbrook This is a special scholarship fund which will benefit primary caregivers of young children pursuing graduate work in the humanities at BYU. Kate was Rick and Ruth’s niece who passed away in September.

Family and friends are invited to share memories of Rick and condolences with his family by sharing on the adjoining Tribute wall. Thank you.