Richard David Gold, age 70, passed away on May 26, 2024, after a lengthy illness caused by an aortic valve infection which damaged other  organs and caused his health to decline. His wife, Luann, has been his constant companion and caregiver for the last several years. Rick has been an example of faith, kindness, strength, and resilience.

Rick was born in Havre, Montana, on April 22, 1954, to Noel Eugene and Mary Beth Gold. He later grew up in the Salt Lake City area of Utah. His grandfather helped promote Rick's love of problem solving, being creative, building, and working with wood. Growing up, Rick was involved in church activities and the scouting program, becoming an Eagle scout at the age of thirteen.

Following his father's example, Rick developed a strong work ethic at an early age. His dad was an engineer for a road construction company. By the age of eleven, Rick started cleaning offices for the company and later moved into driving the tractors, excavators, and pavers for the company when he was not going to school. Rick graduated from Cottonwood High School where he enjoyed being with his friends, playing football, and hiking and skiing in the Utah Mountains.

At nineteen, Rick served a 2-year Mission in California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was in the Fresno area on two occasions, which usually does not happen. The second time is when he met Luann. After his mission, while waiting to start work back home, he decided to come back out to California to visit and see the friends he had made. The day he came to Fresno, there was a church dance that night. Luann invited him to it and the rest is history. Rick and Luann were married, December 20, 1975, in the Oakland Temple.

He was a loving and dedicated son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Rick leaves behind his wife, Luann, of 48 years, his son Steven and wife Cindy, and their two children, Joshua (10) and Audrey (6): his son, Brian and wife Sara, and their son Owen (3): and his daughter, McKenna. Rick also leaves behind his brother, Roger and wife Julie, his sister, Janet and husband Paul, and his sister Linda and her husband Lloyd, in addition to many nieces and nephews. Rick's legacy of love, compassion, and service will live on through his family and those that he inspired.

Richard was an educator for many years in the Clovis Unified School District. He was honored to serve as a 5th and 6th grade teacher and as a GIS at Fort Washington, a learning director at Clovis High, a principal at Sierra Vista Elementary and Kastner Intermediate, and then in a position at the District Office. He always gave his best for the students, parents, staff, and communities that he served. Rick was a creative problem solver, was very computer savvy, and always had a project in the works whether it was for work, family, or friends. While working in Clovis Unified, he was selected to go up in one of the fighter jets at the Air National Guard. He was so grateful for this memorable and thrilling flight of a lifetime. He genuinely loved Clovis Unified and the people he had the privilege of working with throughout the years.