Bio of Richard Taylor

Family: Spouse: Lea Duncan. Children: Allyson 14, Lydia 5 and Duncan 3. Three wonderful children: Allyson is in 8th grade and a straight A student. She loves singing and playing the piano. Lydia is in Kindergarten and loves animals. Duncan is our little boy who finally came to us after many years of wanting a son. Lea and I are very blessed to have such wonderful spirits under our care. Our two youngest came to us via adoption through the Church. We've lived in South Ogden for all 18 years of our married life.

Church: Various YM positions, Elders Quorum President, Ward Executive Secretary, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, currently on the High Council. Lea is currently the Relief Society President. We were fortunate to have Elder Maxwell come to our last Stake Conference. He began the Priesthood Leadership meeting by stating, "It doesn't matter what your resume is in the Church; what matters is who you are and what you are becoming." I thought that was a great statement.

Education: Graduated from Weber State University in 1985 in Health Services Administration. I had already completed the Radiologic Technology program and was working in the radiology field.

Work: I've worked at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden for 22 years in the Radiology department. I had the responsibility of designing the department in our new hospital which opened in 2002 and leading our department through a major technological change to a total digital environment. I've been the Director of Imaging Services for the last 8 years.

Hobbies: Golf is clearly #1. I usually play in several corporate and fundraising tournaments every year. We love the outdoors, traveling with the family and activities with the extended families. Our children are fortunate to have 60 cousins, many of which are close by. Many have served or are serving missions and are getting married.

Community Service: I spent 4 years on the Weber State University Alumni Board. Lea and I recently completed 3 years as Chairs of the Ogden Chapter of Families Supporting Adoption Board through LDS Family Services. Lea has volunteered at the Elementary School and we stay very active in other community service projects.

Comps: I better not start listing them in case I leave one out. I had awesome companions during my one year in Panama. I finished with Elder Jeff Tuscano out in San Blas. He was great!

Areas Served: I was one of the El Salvador missionaries that came to this mission after we were kicked out of El Sal. I spent my last year in Panama serving in La Chorrera for about 5 months, David for 1 month and Tikintiki for my last 6 months. I absolutely loved my year in Panama. Spending my last 6 months out on the islands was the best way to finish my mission.

Memories: - Watching Elder Fink carry his bike over his head all the way back home after crashing was quite a site - that was up in David.

- The "Beach Brethren" experience out on San Blas was incredible. I have hundreds of island stories! Those experiences will stay with me forever.

- Traveling between islands in an open canoe. Elder Udy coming down from Nargana in his boat to spend a p-day with us.

- The old outside font in La Chorrera was fun. I loved La Chorrera – what a great place.

- President Muren had a profound impact on me as I was discouraged about starting a new mission after having to leave El Sal. I still remember how he made me feel during our first visit together. I still love and appreciate him for that.

- I use experiences from my mission almost every day of my life. I have hundreds of slides from Panama and El Salvador that I've used many times. My molas and Cuna materials are always great for displays, lessons and school classes.

Wow, how can I wrap up a tremendous experience in one line? I sill have some of the YM in our Stake call me "Machi Suit", my Cuna name from Tikantiki. I utilize lessons learned on my mission in every day life. My wife served in Paraguay with the Guarani natives. These life-changing experiences stay with us forever. I loved my mission and what it did for me. I loved the people I was able to serve. I could go on forever about them. Wonderful memories!