Losee building’s namesake passes away

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UVU says goodbye to a major university contribution. Photo: Gilbert Cisneros/UVU REVIEW

Richard Darrell Losee died Jan 30, while at home with family. Losee, 79 years-old, suffered of Kidney failure, diabetes, and other various health conditions.

 

Along with many achievements and awards, UVU named the Losee Student Success Building, in honor of he and JoAnn who received the Reed O. Smoot Award from Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce for their excellence in business.

 

At age 8, Losee started playing the saxophone, the thing that would eventually bring he and his wife together. He created his own band.

 

His wife JoAnn met him while looking for a dance band, and it was love at first sight. On Valentines day 1954, he was drafted into the Korean war. While he was in basic training JoAnn called him and asked, “Honey, do you still want to marry me?” He said yes of course, so she said, “I’ll be down on the next plane”.

 

Losee got an overnight pass, and they drove to the Carson City Nevada LDS Temple, and were married 10 minutes before midnight Sunday morning. Now they have three children, with 11 grandchildren. His wife is still alive.

 

He, his wife and her parents started Bollock & Losee Jewelers, and he was nationally recognized as an automobile collector. He owned 50 classics, along with antiques and exotic automobiles, which for many years were displayed in the Kress Building in Provo.

 

He was called to many positions in the LDS church including Bishop, High Council man, and was in the Branch Presidency at the Missionary Training Center.

 

Funeral services were held February 4, at the Edgemont Stake Center.

 

By Tiffany Thatcher
Asst. News Editor