Richard Udd

Richard Udd of Cedaredge, Colorado, died unexpectedly in his sleep on June 29, 2025, in Telluride, Colorado. He was 83 years old. His last day was spent doing what he loved, hiking in the mountains with his fiancée, Karen Locke.

Richard was a loving father, grandfather and brother; he never hesitated to help others; he believed in the value of education and public service. After Richard’s retirement, he and his late wife Kittie returned to his childhood home, Cedaredge, in 2003, where he poured himself into serving the community and supporting the education of Cedaredge High School students. Richard served as Mayor of Cedaredge (2022 – 2024) and as a member of the Cedaredge Board of Trustees (2020 – 2024). He contributed to the Rotary by serving as President and Treasurer where he established a scholarship program. Also, he managed the Applefest Car Show which generated significant revenue for Pioneer Town and served as the President of Surface Valley Creek Historical Society. The Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center was of particular interest to Richard as he worked as a projectionist as a teenager and then again running the movie projection system since the inception of the Arts Center seven years ago.

Richard’s own experience in the challenges of obtaining an education, while raising a family on limited and hard-earned resources, led him to want to help others achieve their educational goals. This is one of Richard’s legacies as he and Kittie established scholarship programs and an endowment to California Polytechnic State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Richard subsequently achieved a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from U.C. Santa Barbara. Richard believed this education was the foundation to his success and ability to provide for his family. Richard was proud of his own family’s academic and career successes. He beamed with pride and tears at their accomplishments as well as those of the people he had mentored.

Richard loved the outdoors and activities including skiing, hiking, rafting and fishing. He also enjoyed international travel and restoring classic cars. He was patriotic and held high regard for those who served in the military. Richard was inquisitive, fact-based, and tenacious in everything he did. He was also thoughtful and deeply sentimental. He could quickly display a mischievous twinkle in his eye and an impish grin, and had a quick wit. His adventurous spirit and respect for the outdoors was passed along to his children. His favorite quote that captures this essence was “The mountains are calling and I must go” (John Muir).

Richard was born in Glendale, California, in 1941, to Charlotte and Evert Udd. When he was in the sixth grade, he and his family moved to Cedaredge. In his junior year of high school, the family moved to Ventura, California, where he met his future wife, Kittie, in a bowling league. They married on October 18, 1959, and enjoyed 51 beautiful years together.

Richard’s career was in the development of radar jamming and countermeasure systems for the U.S. Government at Raytheon Company in Goleta, California. He began as an engineer working on a system of tubes and transistors. He held increasingly responsible roles applying his technical and leadership abilities in engineering and management positions as technology advanced. When he retired in 1997, he held the top technical position, Technical Director, in the Goleta branch of Raytheon.

Richard was preceded in death by Kittie Udd in 2010. He is survived by his fiancée Karen Locke and her family; his daughters, Teresa Lindbery, Pamela Repp and Mandy Gunzenhauser; his sisters, Claudia Udd, Katherine Udd and Kris Armstrong; and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 11, 2025, at the Arts Center in Cedaredge from 4 to 7 pm with remarks beginning at 5 pm. Light refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Richard’s favorite charities such as any scholarship foundation, the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center, or the Surface Creek Valley Historical Society’s Pioneer Town would be appreciated, or take the time to listen to a student, mentor them, and encourage them to continue their education.

The Udd family wishes to extend our heart-felt appreciation for the love and support the community has shown to them and for the continued support to Karen Locke and her family during this difficult time.