their parties. Nothing impressed him more than friendly, good clean boys and girls who were wholesome in their living. President and Sister Rich enjoyed entertaining friends in their home. General Authorities, members of the stake presidency, youth groups, relatives, and many friends were often invited to a party or as dinner guests. Several General Authorities were overnight guests; Elders John H. Taylor, Henry Smith, John A. Widtsoe, Spencer W. Kimball, Mark E. Peterson, Matthew Cowley, Joseph F. Merrill, LeGrand Richards, and Joseph Fielding Smith all stayed in their home. President Rich loved to be out-of-doors, in the canyons and close to nature. But most of all, he liked to engage in gospel conversations. Nothing pleased him more than to discuss the principles ofthe gospel with friends, associates, and acquaintances. He served with love and compassion and truly lived the commandments. There wasn't anyone he didn't love, and it showed in his actions. He knew everyone in the stake, young and old, and made a point to talk to each as he saw them. He seemed truly to care. He cared about those who were not in church; he spoke to them often expressing his love to them. As he stood at the rostrum at quarterly stake conference, he told the Saints to fill their hearts with love, take malice from their hearts and love their fellowmen; and then, in the sweetness and joy of his soul, he would turn to the young people that were singing and say, 'You young people be clean, be sweet and chaste and virtuous always as you are now." President Rich shared everything he had with the Saints. He shared his love, he shared kindness, his appreciation. In fact, he gave his life for the gospel and for the Saints. In September 1951, he began to have problems with his heart. Good and bad days followed for several months. In June of the following year, he became very ill but his thoughts were still of others. He wanted to get well because so many ofthe people ofthe stake had fasted and prayed for him, and he didn't want their prayers to be unanswered or their testimonies lessened. He told his loved ones, "Oh, if I could just put what is in my heart into the hearts of all those in the stake. That they might know of God's love for them and that the Gospel is true." They visited several doctors with no promise for the President's future. He then felt he should seek a blessing from the General Authorities. "Elder Harold B. Lee gave President Rich a most wonderful blessing. Brother Lee was so kind and so sincere and loving." President Rich now felt his life was in the Lord's hands. His wife wrote: All ofa sudden everything dropped right out of our life—Our Daddy went home to his beloved Heavenly Father on Tuesday-July 29,1952 at 1:30 a.m. I am sure that he must have been needed, bui what am 1 ever going to do without him. I loved him so dearly and depended on him for his understanding, wisdom and his beautiful devoted love. He always knew just whar to say and just what to do. 1 keep