Dr. Richard Thomas Gunnell, DDS

Dr. Richard Thomas Gunnell, DDS, was born on March 3, 1935, in Pocatello, Idaho to Thomas and Ethel Gunnell. He grew up with his older sister Karma and younger sister Judy in Arimo and Soda Springs, Idaho. His father worked as a technician for a large grain operation, and his parents maintained a family farm.

Richard’s childhood was a happy one. He grew up in a close-knit, nurturing family, he excelled academically, and his mother nurtured his musical talents. His love for singing and playing the piano remained a lifelong passion. His parents instilled in him the integrity, discipline, and self-confidence that would fuel his professional success and earn him wide respect and admiration.

From a young age, Richard worked in a variety of jobs. He was a skilled truck driver for the Monsanto company. While in graduate school in Washington D.C., he served on the Capitol Hill police force and worked for the Senate postal service.

Richard dedicated two and a half years of his life to serving in the Swiss-Austria mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He married Karla Bullock in the Idaho Falls temple in 1960. As an undergraduate at Arizona State University, he was actively involved in the concert choir and madrigal singers. After graduating from ASU with a degree in chemistry and German in 1961, Richard gained admission to dental school at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. With the unwavering support of his wife Karla, he graduated with honors in 1965.

In 1965, Richard became a board-certified dentist and embarked on a distinguished career with the Veterans Administration. He earned certifications in numerous dentistry techniques, completing over a hundred continuing education programs across the United States. Richard played a pivotal role in advancing maxillofacial prosthetic techniques, performing full mouth reconstructive surgery to help wounded veterans recover from devastating injuries. Richard also taught dental radiology at Boise State University and following his retirement from the VA, continued to apply his expertise in the service of others by running a dental clinic in the Idaho prison system.

Richard was known for his compassion and fine sense of humor. He embodied the work ethic and resourcefulness of a child raised by hard-working farm parents. He built two beautiful homes and always maintained impeccable yards. His innate courage and determination allowed him to overcome many difficult circumstances. His love of culture, the arts, and travel was a significant part of his life, and he continued to sing and play classical piano until his last days.

Following the loss of his first wife Karla, Richard found love again with his second wife Elaine. Together they embarked on a remarkable adventure that included an 18-month church mission in the Czech Republic, extensive travel in Europe, Russia, and Taiwan, and a return visit to many of the places Richard had first seen as a missionary more than 50 years before. It was a beautiful, meaningful phase of a life well lived.

Richard passed away on Oct 24, 2023, at the age of 88 at his home in Meridian, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his dear wife Karla, his parents Thomas and Ethel Gunnell, and his sister Judy. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine, his sister Karma Kunz, brother-in-law Don Schuyler, daughters Jill (John) Edens and Kaye (Brannon) Cheney, son Thomas (Deidre) Gunnell, stepchildren Truett (Amanda) Black, Dana Black, and Cory (Lacey) Black, 21 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Richard loved the writing of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The following quote captures Richard’s spirit and life better than any other:

“If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived.”
― Jeffrey R. Holland

Elaine would like to express her sincerest appreciation to Lisa, Melissa, Jessica, Linda and the rest of the loving staff at Journey’s Hospice for their compassion and deep expertise given so generously at the time when she and Richard most needed it.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, November 3, 2023, at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. in Garden City.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Fairview Cemetery, 148 S.  Main St. in Soda Springs, Idaho

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.