Hello, my name is Richard Shane Robillard. I have lived in southern Utah off and on through my life. For the last 30 years, I have called Leeds my home. My grandmother’s family was among the original settlers in Kane County. My grandfather, from Oklahoma, was a member of the “Civilian Conservation Corps” or the CCCs stationed at the Grand Canyon. My grandmother and grandfather met at a dance in Kanab, Utah, in the late 1930’s. They soon married, and off to the US Navy they went. Returning to Kanab, Utah, after his service. My grandmother became one of the first telephone operators in Kanab. After the war, Grandpa returned to Kanab and ended up at the Grand Canyon for work. Grandma wanted to be close to her home in Kanab.

My Grandfather went to work for the park service. He and my grandmother spent the next 30 years raising their family, building community, and staying true to their beliefs of respect, dignity, compassion, hard work, and standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Being helpful when it wasn’t expected, finding time for each other.

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My grandfather was a 33rd-degree Freemason, and my grandmother was the strong woman behind him. She ran a tight ship, and Grandpa knew not to cross those lines. My Uncle and my mother were both born at the Grand Canyon hospital.

My grandfather taught what a true man should be: be respectful, do the right thing, be dignified, be kind, be strong in character, be good to your neighbor, and, above all, treat people the way you want to be treated. Follow the Golden Rule.

My mother worked in the kitchens at the Grand Canyon Lodge. There are many stories to tell. She fell in love with my father  in her early 20’s. They quickly started a family, and my sister was soon born at the Grand Canyon hospital. My father and mother moved to Mesa, Arizona, for more opportunities. I was born in Mesa.

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My mother and father parted ways when I was young. My mother moved back in with my grandparents in Tucson, Arizona, where they retired. My sister spent the next few years playing in the park next door and playing in grandpa’s beautiful backyard. My mother was a hippy in the 70’s, and my sister and I grew up in a carefree environment. I remember grandpa and grandma arguing over politics after Walter Cronkite. My grandfather was a Democrat due to his wartime experience. My Grandma was a Republican.

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My mother met my stepfather, and after a few years in Tucson, we moved to Washington State, the Puget Sound area. My grandmother and Grandfather moved and built their final retirement home in the Kanab Creek Ranchos, on Grand Canyon Drive, of course. My sister and I would spend every other summer at our grandparents' house in Kanab. Our family moved from the Pacific Northwest, always in my heart, to Southern Arizona. Our stepfather was becoming a copper miner. We lived in southern Arizona for 13 tumultuous years. Kanab was always there for us; it was always a safe place for us as our stepfather became evermore abusive, leading to a divorce. My mother moved us back to Kanab. My sister graduated from Kanab High School. I moved with my mother and finished my final year of high school in Hurricane, Utah.

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Two weeks after graduation, I shipped off to San Diego for US Navy boot camp. I completed boot camp and was assigned to Millington, Tennessee, for my ADA training. When I arrived, I learned how to become an Avation Mechinest Mate, which I later learned was a fancy way of saying a jet engine mechanic. Upon completing my training in Millington, I was sent to a specialty school in El Toro, California. I learned how to work on T56 turbojet engines. After the school ended, my first duty station was Rota, Spain, VR-22, a logistics squadron. After the first few weeks of my deployment to Sigonella, Sicily. I found myself in a war.

One night, I leave the flight line for my rack “bed”, and the next morning, the flight line was full of all sorts of aircraft from our allies. We spent the next year and a half transporting for the war, the rest of my deployment. I learned so much about myself and my character working with so many personalities from across America and our allies. I learned that clear, concise communication is and was so important in everything we do.

My next duty station was VXE-6, the squadron of endless summer. I found myself back in California, specifically at Point Mugu, outside Oxnard. I found out my grandfather was stationed at Port Hueneme during World War II. VXE-6 was an LC-130 squadron; we deployed to Antarctica via Christchurch, New Zealand. This is where I found I can do a heck of a lot more than I thought I was capable of. I remember the ice sickles on our face coverings after being out in the environment for just an hour or so. After my first four years in the Navy, it was time for reenlistment. I had an amazing Lieutenant, who arranged for me to reenlist at the South Pole. Having my hand on the ceremonial south pole was an amazing experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.  

After completing my tour with VXE-6, I was transferred to Whidby Island, AIMD. I was stationed here for the last of my time in the Navy. I returned to St. George, Utah, to take care of my grandmother. I love and miss her every day. My mother and Norm purchased a piece of land in Leeds, Utah. They placed a modular home and planted roots in Leeds that I continue to nurture.

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After stabilizing the family, I applied for VA vocational rehabilitation a year later.

A little bit of history: On my 14th birthday, I asked my mother for a Yan Can Cook cookbook, a wok, and other tools, and for her to spend a day in the kitchen cooking with me. I had such an amazing experience that I spent the rest of my young adulthood making decisions that led to my goal of becoming a chef.

I was off to the CIA. . . . That is The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Not the gun-carrying agency. I spent two years learning and practicing techniques I use to this day. After graduation, I came home and worked in southern Utah, specifically Springdale. After one season, I moved to San Francisco, California, and spent a year working at Cafe Rouge in Berkley. I then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. I stepped into a position at Picasso, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in the Bellagio Casino. After 9/11 I moved to Ocean Beach in San Diego. Shortly after getting settled, I was asked to come home and help my family. My mother's life companion developed cancer and passed away a year later.

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I returned home to Southern Utah and moved in with my grandmother, taking care of her until she wasn’t safe to remain at home.

For employment, I worked at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. I worked and grew professionally, learning the ins and outs of politics within the agency and receiving so much wonderful training. I continue to call upon those experiences to this day. After two years as a civilian in training and 5 years as a deputy, working up to sergeant in corrections for the last five years at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

While at the Sheriff’s Office, I volunteered for the Leeds Fire Department as a structure, wildlands, and Emergency Medical Services attending AEMT. I also became an instructor for the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. After 12 years, two knee replacements from the military, and continued back issues from my years in service. I had to step away for all of the above.

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I then worked as a cooking school instructor at Harmon's in Santa Clara, Utah. My co-chef and I received the Best of State five times in “Food and Beverage Education”. I opened two professional kitchens, worked as a Women's Recovery Center for six years, and, until recently, worked part-time as a professional baker.

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I am enjoying my retirement in Leeds with my furry kids, Flynn, Scooby, and my feline Mister Pickles.

This last year has pushed me to embrace my grandfather’s wisdom: “If you see a problem, find a way to fix it. ” After a year of national chaos, our representatives not listening to the voters, prices going higher, ru

I have spent my life defending the Constitution of the United States and continue to do so.