R. Richard "Dick" Vetterli left this life on Monday, September 13, 1999, surrounded by loving friends and family.
He was born October 1, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ralph and Virginia Vetterli. Growing up in Southern California, Dick was a fun-loving athlete and a star football player at Alhambra High School and Chaffey College. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in 1959, a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1961, and a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside in 1972. Dick was a professor at Pepperdine University and Pasadena City College before becoming a professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University in 1979, where he taught until his death.Dick was an extraordinary man. His charm, kindness, generosity and sparkling personality endeared him to all who knew him. Nothing was more important to Dick than making a difference for good. In that desire, he was highly successful. Often called upon by family, friends and students, Dick always went the extra mile, taking time away from his busy schedule to help anyone in any way that he could.
Long active in community service, Dick was a member and President of the Pasadena, California Board of Education from 1973 to 1979. In that capacity, Dick was instrumental in establishing the back-to-basics Fundamental Schools in Pasadena, which played a key role in the escalation of student test scores.
Dick was the author of five Political Science textbooks regarding public virtue, the philosophical and spiritual roots of government, and the founding of American democracy. His books are currently used in classes at Brigham Young University and various other universities. His first novel, Powderkeg, the epic story of Porter Rockwell and the 1857 Utah War, was purchased by Warner Brothers Studios and is currently in script rewrite for movie production. Dick repeatedly received the coveted Student Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Brigham Young University Political Science Department.
Dick dedicated his life as an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission for the Church in Mexico, and served in many other church capacities, including branch president, teacher and bishop.
Dick was a kind and loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife Vernadeen "Deen", and a son and a daughter: John Richard (Sarina) Vetterli of New York City and Amy Elizabeth (Darren) Zobrist, also of New York City.
Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999 at 2 p.m. at the Edgemont 11th Ward Chapel, located at 3050 Mojave Ln., Provo, UT. Friends may call at the Ward Chapel one hour prior to services. Interment East Lawn Memorial Hills.
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