From an unidentified contemporary newspaper: Dick H Barnum 70, of Fairbanks, Alaska passed away on January 7, 2013 after a valiant fight against cancer at the home of his sister, Ann.
Dick was born December 4, 1942 in Park City, Utah. He was the son of Henry Oscar Barnum and Reva Duston Astle.
He attended school in Mantua and Box Elder High in Brigham City, Utah.
In 1961 he joined the US Army Reserves. He was stationed in Fort Ord, CA and Fort Sill, OK. Dick served many years on weekends and at summer camps in the cannon division. He was proud to serve his country.
After serving a mission for the LDS Church to the Western States from 1962 – 1964 he attended school in Elkhart, Indiana. He graduated as a medical lab technician. Dick was employed by Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. While in Michigan his love for dog sled racing began. He dreamed of going to Alaska to run the Iditarod dog sled race. This he did in 1983. Later he ran the Quest, a 1,000 mile dog sled race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse in the Yukon. He entered and ran this race twice, once in 1987 and again in 1988.
He married Sabine Blumenroth September 8, 1994. They were later divorced.
Dick owned and operated The Grubstake a feed and supply store along with a farm where he raised grass hay.
He is survived by his two sisters: Ann (Ted) Palmer of Weston, ID; and Jean (Brad) Holden of Manassas, VA; three nephews and four nieces.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Myers Mortuary Chapel, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, Utah.
Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. at the Mortuary.
Interment will be in the Mantua Cemetery.
Many thanks for the compassionate service of the Mantua First and Second Wards.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Center.