Tour member hailed as 'wonderful man'

Those who knew Brett Richards, the Ogden man shot to death while on a tour in Guatemala, remembered him Thursday for his talent, kindness and devotion to his faith.

"He's just an absolutely wonderful man," said David Moore, first counselor in the Ogden Weber Heights LDS Stake, who had known Richards for 30 years.

Richards was shot in the chest Wednesday during an attack on his tour bus by armed gunmen in a remote area near the Mexican border. Richards died on his way to a hospital in nearby Retalhuleu, according to a release from the Orem-based Book of Mormon Tours.

He had been serving as the Young Men's president for the stake and was previously bishop of the Skyline Ward. "He loved Scouting. He did a lot of Scouting activities," Moore said. "He loved to travel."

Richards had a very deep voice that entranced people when he gave talks in church, Moore said, but also entertained them when he sang in local theater productions. "When he talked, everyone listened because of his wonderful voice."

Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria knew Richards for many years. Their daughters grew up playing on the same soccer team.

"He was a wonderful family man and father," DeCaria said. "In my view he was one of the most considerate and kind individuals. A true gentleman. He will be sorely missed. I'm so heartsick. I can't emphasize enough what a tremendous loss he will be to this community."

Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey said Richards was very community-minded, donating his time and services as an architect to the community and performing volunteer work.

"He kept his business downtown when it wasn't popular to do so," Godfrey said. "That showed his dedication to the community. He was as good of a man as you can come by."

Some of the buildings Richards designed for the city include the courthouse, the dinosaur museum and the new Lincoln Elementary School (the old school was destroyed in an arson-caused fire in 2001).

Richards was president of Richards and Bott Architects. His partner, company vice president Brian Bott, said work with local school districts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and financial institutions were the professional concentration for Richards.

But Bott said Richards wasn't just "all about architecture."

"Family was the biggest part of his life," he said. "He grew up in Ogden. He was committed to the community to make it a better place. He was just a genuinely good person."