- Steve Rich recalls growing up next to President Russell M. Nelson.
- Rich remembers Nelson shoveling sidewalks and conducting comprehensive mission interviews.
- Melinda Rich admired Nelson's dedication to practicing talks during morning walks.
SALT LAKE CITY — Among those remembering their time with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson are those who lived closest to him, neighbors who grew up with President Nelson's kids and watched the church president as a father.
He lived in the Harvard-Yale area in Salt Lake City and the neighbors say they were involved in everything from the small moments to the big moments with the Nelson family.
Steve Rich grew up next door to President Nelson and his earliest memory was being served by President Nelson.
"You had to get up pretty early in the morning if you wanted to shovel your own sidewalk because President Nelson would do it," Rich said.
President Nelson served as stake president when Rich was preparing to serve a mission, and was interviewed by him.
"The interview was, I should say, very comprehensive," Rich said.
After his mission, Rich moved a door down with his wife, Melinda, where they watched President Nelson receive his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
"If you were out that early, which sometimes we were with the kids, he would be practicing talks," Melinda Rich said. "He would be saying talks while he was walking and memorizing them. I thought that was always so cool."
You had to get up pretty early in the morning if you wanted to shovel your own sidewalk because President Nelson would do it.
–Steve Rich
The Richs watched the Nelson family grow from a family of nine to 10.
"One time I came into the circle and on the outside of the Nelson's house was this big blue blanket," Melinda Rich said. "They'd had all these girls. When we saw that blue blanket, we were so thrilled that they had had Russell Junior."
They enjoyed Christmas parties and community gatherings with the Nelsons.
"We would set up a neighborhood party every September and invite all of our neighbors in the circle to come, and it was always just such a pleasure," Melinda Rich said.
It was at one of these neighborhood parties that they received the news about President Nelson's wife, Dantzel's passing.
"I remember that as being kins of, such a hard time for our ward. We love that family very much," Melinda Rich said.
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Dan Farr, who produces FanX, credits President Nelson – who died Saturday night at age 101 – with saving his life.Yet, when they saw President Nelson on his morning walks — he spoke of joy.
"He would talk about his joy in knowing that the resurrection and our life together in the future is real," Steve Rich said.
When he heard President Nelson in conference, he said he heard pieces from their walks and talks.
"He has always extended himself for the welfare of his fellow beings and for the gospel and the church," Steve Rich said.
Melinda Rich said living next to him was exactly what you would see when you watched President Nelson on TV or in a public setting.
"It's not any different," Melinda Rich said. "He's a humble servant."
