Smithfield in Cache County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Richard V. Hansen

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 22, 2025

1. Richard V. Hansen Marker

Inscription. Richard had an interest in sports at a very early age and baseball became the passion that fueled his life. An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, he took his love of the sport to the Smithfield Blue Sox. In 2009 he celebrated 60 years with the Blue Sox, 47 of those as manager/coach. He happily managed his 2500th game May 9, Health Days 2009. During his tenure as the "Skipper" of the Blue Sox he was honored with many prestigious awards; Smithfield City's Outstanding Citizen, inductee in U.S. Open Baseball Hall of Fame, honorary member of the Major League Baseball Association, Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor awardee, Utah Sports Hall of fame inductee, and perhaps one of his greatest honors, the naming of the Richard V. Hansen Baseball Park in recognition of his relentless service and commitment to Smithfield City and the baseball players he cultivated through the years. Richard will forever be remembered as "Mr. Baseball". Richard was always thankful for the support of his family, community, players, fans, board of directors, the Smithfield Lions Club, sponsors, media, and the city of Smithfield for believing in him and the

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team.

Born in Amalga, Utah on Aug. 30, 1930, the oldest of 5 boys born to Vagn Wilford and Ruth Schiess Hansen. He attended Summit Elementary and graduated from North Cache High School in 1948. He served the country he loved in the United States Army as a line medic in the Korean War from 1950-1951. Richard married his sweetheart, LuDean Nielsen, in the Logan LDS temple on Sept. 26, 1952. Four cherished children came from their union; David, Paul, Amy and Emily. He served 25 years as a Scoutmaster and Explorer leader, and 35 years as athletic director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dairy farming was his livelihood along with his business of agricultural products distribution. Other interests included; stamp collecting, ballroom dancing, planning social and family activities, and an appreciation of music and live theatre. Richard had an amazing memory with an interest of keeping and studying history. He loved to travel and was a real adventurer. Richard passed away on Jan. 21, 2010 in Amalga at the age of 79, leaving a legacy of service and friendship for his family and countless friends to emulate.

Topics.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 22, 2025

2. Richard V. Hansen Marker

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 2009.

Location. 41° 50.301′ N, 111° 50.785′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Utah, in Cache County. It is on West 100 North, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in Richard V. Hansen Baseball Park/Forrester Acres Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 W 100 N, Smithfield UT 84335, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Cache Valley.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Steven M. Smith (here, next to this marker); Original Settlement of Smithfield (approx. ¼ mile away); Smithfield Tabernacle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Smithfield Carnegie Public Library (approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 22, 2025

3. Richard V. Hansen Marker

(approx. 0.7 miles away); In Memory of Ira Elias Merrill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Douglass General Mercantile Store (approx. ¾ mile away); In Memory Of The Hyde Park Settlers (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.