Father Lehi Award, Mother Sariah Award 2012
Father Lehi Award 2012
F. Richard Hauck, after serving an LDS mission to the Southern States Mission, received his BA degree in archaeology from BYU. He then worked for five years for the CIA, which included a three year posting to Istanbul, Turkey. Returning to his original passion for archaeology, he received an MA in anthropology from BYU and a Doctorate, which was a combination of archaeological and geographical research in Central America, from the University of Utah. In 1974 he created the first archaeological consulting firm in Utah which conducted reconnaissance and excavations for the energy industry in eight western states. For 30 years he served as the firm’s president and principal investigator. In 1983 he created the Ancient America Foundation, and in 1989, founded the Archaeological Research Institute, both non-profit organizations. Under the much-appreciated financial patronage of Joe V. Anderson, ARI has conducted extensive reconnaissance and excavations in the Guatemalan highlands between 2007 and 2012. Dr. Hauck has explored and excavated portions of numerous Preclassic sites, including Tzalcam, his primary candidate for the city Nephi, and Valparaiso, candidate for the first line of defense protecting the fortified settlement at Manti.
Mother Sariah Award 2012
Laura Leavitt Hauck married her sweetheart, Ric, in the Salt Lake temple. Her interests include music, speech, and literature. She graduated cum laude from BYU receiving a BA in English, and taught high school for several years. As their family grew, she worked at home in her husband’s business, and performed for years with The Belles, a handbell group. She served in many Church leadership positions, both ward and stake, and she and Ric currently serve in the Bountiful temple. Laura has published articles in the LDS on-line magazine, Meridian. Her greatest joy is their children. Six sons received Eagle Scout awards and their daughter, the Young Womanhood award. All seven served LDS missions, were married in the temple, and have produced 30 grandchildren. Laura and Ric recently served an 18 month mission in Nigeria.