Einar Keith "Chick" Lignell

To borrow a phrase, how is 96 years not enough?

Einar Keith (Chick) Lignell, 96, passed away, without warning, in his sleep in the early morning hours of June 6, 2023. Born September 23, 1926, Chick got his nickname as an infant. He was the fourth of six children, born to Einar Alfred Emanuel Lignell and Lilly Josefina Bloomquist, both Swedish immigrants. Chick was the last surviving member of his family, including cousins. He grew to love his Swedish heritage and has many cousins and loved ones mourning his loss in Sweden today. He is known by his grandchildren as Farfar and Morfar, in the Swedish tradition.

Dad was just finishing writing his memoirs at the time of his death, so we will have about 1800 pages to edit! We are grateful to have stories, history and memories recorded through Dad’s eyes. He learned how to work as all those in “the greatest generation” did. He sold vegetables door to door. He had a paper route, where he won a trip to Hollywood. And he stacked tires on train cars - he knew how to work. He attended South High school and continued hosting reunions until their 75th. He played football at South and was even on the University of Utah team, being one of the very few college-age boys not already serving in WWII. He turned 18 in September of 1944, so his war experience was luckily safe, as the war ended in mid-1945. He served faithfully in the Navy on a medical/dental ship and cared for injured soldiers from the Pacific Theater. On a whim, one day at the Navy A&P, he bought a set of golf clubs. Golf became one of the great joys of his life. He and his wife, Marian, found a book that listed every single golf course in the state of Utah. They made a goal to play every course in the state and were successful in doing so. They definitely had to be creative to get on some of the courses! He played at the Salt Lake Country Club most of his life and at Riverside Country Club later in life.

As a tender 15-year-old, he and his friends drove past a house at 1370 Kensington Avenue , where they saw a group of cute East High girls. They invited them to go for ice cream at the Doll House in Salt Lake City. It just so happened that there wasn’t room for everyone, so when he saw the girl he was lucky enough to have sitting on his lap, he exclaimed “same seats coming home!” He and Marian Edith Heilbut dated for seven years, both finished college and Dad finished his service in the Navy. He was accepted into Dental School at the University of California at San Francisco before he graduated from the University of Utah. He had to finish a couple of credits at the University of Utah the summer after his first year of Dental School.

In August of 1949, Chick and Marian were married in the Salt Lake Temple and moved to San Francisco for him to finish dental school. Mom supported him by working at a Daycare/Kindergarten. After having their first son, Miles, she opened a daycare in their apartment. They made lifelong friends in San Francisco and became lifelong 49ers fans. They loved listening to live music at clubs in the city during this time of their lives. They would sell their blood to get enough money for a night out. On graduating, they returned to Salt Lake. Dad opened his dental practice in 1952 and they had their second son, Tad, in 1953. Dad and two dear friends, who were also dentists, built The Dental Center near 2nd South on 700 East, where he practiced until 2014. In 1956, a daughter, Colleen, was born and their family was completed in 1961 with the birth of Charles (Chick).

Dad took many risks in his business life. He and his dental partners became real estate developers once their practices were flourishing. They built one of the top development firms in the intermountain west, beginning with their dental office; The Stansbury Apartment next to their office; student housing in Cedar City; The Shaunessy, also near their office; Interlaken Estates in Midway, Utah; The Incline Terrace Apartments on the curve where 5th South turns into 4th South; The block 57 Development in Downtown Salt Lake City, which included the American Towers, a Sheraton Hotel and the American Plaza; and The Canyon Road Towers, just to mention a few. The recession of the 1980’s proved to be too much as the Block 57 project was mid construction. With interest rates at 18%, they just didn’t have the financial ability to keep things going. Losing everything did not slow him down. He fought to climb out and continue with new ventures. He was successful in completing the Eagle Gate Tower for the LDS Church. He continued looking for new projects, up until just weeks before he passed.

Music was another passion for Dad, He loved listening to good music as well as writing and singing his own music. From evenings singing with his sister Marge, to recording hundreds of songs with friends and family. If you were one of the lucky ones who got a song written for you, it is a cherished memory to keep forever. His gorgeous tenor voice was still as pure at 96 as it ever was. We would often walk in his room to find him playing his guitar and singing, often a melody for his next creation.

Dad remained a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He and Mom served in the branch at the VA Hospital for 11 years.

Chick is survived by his children: Tad, Colleen (Ernie Hewlett), and Charles (Anisa). He was pre-deceased by his dear wife Marian and oldest son, Miles (Claudia). He leaves behind 20 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces and nephews and countless friends, young and old, who have all filled his life with joy.

We would like to thank his daughter, Colleen and Ernie Hewlett, and their entire family for taking care of Dad in his latter years and for the love and compassion they all showed him.

A Family Celebration will be held on Friday, June 16th in Heber City to honor his life. (If you loved him, you’re family)!