Richard Lee Utterback was born in September 1940 in Madison, Missouri to Anna Mae and Harry Utterback. He died peacefully surrounded by family early in the evening of April 21, 2026. 

Richard married Bonnie Bergthold in 1959 and is survived by their three children: Rodney Utterback, Gary Utterback, and Condra Richerson. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Berry, his two brothers Bob and Bill Utterback, and his beloved dog Cooper.

 Richard was a small farmer and a lover of horses and mules who once served as the head of his local saddle club. He had a fierce independent streak and was a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy who could fix anything (and then often traded what he fixed for something else that needed to be fixed). 

He was a loving husband and spent his last days in peace with his children looking forward to being reunited in heaven with his wife Bonnie, who preceded him in death in 2023. 

Richard will be greatly missed but the legacy of love and self-suffiency he left behind will guide the way forward for those whose lives he touched. 

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Warsaw Funeral and Cremation.