Richard W. Latimer

Hampton Falls - Richard W. Latimer, 93, of Hampton Falls and formerly of Narragansett, RI, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Richard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Lawrence and Hannah (Walton) Latimer. Richard was raised in Salt Lake City. He attended East High School and graduated from the University of Utah with a major in Geology. During his time in college, he served in the ROTC before enlisting in the United States Air Force Reserve. His service took him to Texas, where he met his beloved wife and lifelong partner, Sallie (Warton) Latimer. They were married in 1958 in the Salt Lake City Temple. He served in the Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis—at one point standing ready on the tarmac before his unit was recalled. After completing his military service, Richard pursued a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Washington, but his studies were cut short when he answered the call from Peace Corps Director, Sargent Shriver to become the Director of the newly created Job Corps. He then dedicated 25 years to his career with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a laboratory director, from which he retired in 1990. Richard’s career with the EPA took him to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he served as director during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, ensuring that the project met environmental protections in its earliest stages. He was later called to Washington, D.C. to testify following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Richard lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service. He served as bishop three times, in the Stake presidency, and later as a patriarch in his church. He was an avid Boy Scout leader, serving from Alaska to Rhode Island. After retiring, he served humanitarian missions for his church in Jordan and Greece. He also spent a year teaching environmental science at a technical university in Zhengzhou, China through Brigham Young University. At home, Richard found joy riding his motorcycle to the lab, tending his garden, restoring antique cars with his son, and quietly helping others whenever there was a need. He was a man of deep integrity and quiet humor—one of his favorite stories to tell the grandkids was the time he wrestled a couple of polar bears in Alaska (he conveniently left out that they were young cubs). These traits shaped his family and community in lasting ways. Richard is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Sallie (Warton) Latimer of Hampton Falls. He also leaves behind his two children, R. Dana Latimer and his wife Leah of Douglas, MA and Charisse Thompson and her husband Jamie of Newfields; grandchildren, Kyle, Dylan, Rachel, Brittney, Marshell, R. Bryce, and Tory, as well as three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to the Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Philanthropies by clicking here.