Lynn Speth

Rudolph Lynn Speth, 82, died peacefully at his home February 11, 2019. He was born May 4, 1936 in Logan, Utah to Rudolph Speth and Alice Elda Kendrick Speth.  He met Diane Beutler and they were married while attending Utah State University.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple on December 27, 1963.

Lynn graduated from Logan High, where he lettered each year in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was selected for the all state football team as quarterback, received regional honors for basketball and baseball and was fourth in the high hurdles at state. He went on to play football and baseball at Utah State University.

Lynn was an educator. He received degrees from Utah State University, and a PhD in Ecology from Brigham Young University.  He taught at Connecticut State College before being asked to come to Ricks College in 1969.  He taught in the Biology department taking students on many field trips to the Salmon River, Island Park, Yellowstone and the Tetons.  Lynn and his colleagues formed an intensive outdoor biology program known as “Discovery”.  Along with teaching, he and his Ricks College associates did baseline studies of Island Park waterways, chemical analysis of the Salmon River and he participated with Utah State University in a study of the Colorado River.

Lynn served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand from 1956-58 and a second proselyting mission with his wife, Diane, in the Idaho Pocatello Mission in 2006. He served in many church callings, including years with the Young Men’s program, as a counselor in two bishoprics and as bishop of a Ricks College ward.

Farming was always in his blood and Lynn developed a hobby farm to teach his children how to work. He never lost his love of sports, horses, spending time in nature, reading and work.  He was a lifelong learner; a mentor and friend to many, encouraging each to set high standards.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Steven (Beth) of Bozeman, Montana, Suzanne Weekes (Jody) of Rexburg, Idaho, Ryan (Melanee) of St. Anthony, Idaho, Michael (Kelli) of West Jordan, Utah, Wayne (Kellie) of Casper, Wyoming, Laura Bybee (Ryan) of Ammon, Idaho, and Julie Speth (Shea) of Holladay, Utah; brother, DeVon (Bertha) Speth, of Wellsville, Utah; sister, Dixie (Bud) Trewet of Ogden, Utah; 20 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Kendrick, Tony, Jack, and Bud.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, at the North Logan 16 ^th Ward Chapel, 1550 East 1900 North. A viewing will be held Friday February 15 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the Ashton stake center, 516 North 2 ^nd Street and at the church in North Logan on Saturday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the North Logan City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to BYU-Pathway Worldwide.