richard stallings was born in ogden, utah to howard and elizabeth (née austin) stallings in 1940. richard was raised in ogden along with his younger sister, marilyn. he grew up active in scouting, earning the rank of eagle scout at age 16, and a year later the silver award. stallings is a graduate of the ben lomond high school class of 1958. he served as a missionary for the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints in new zealand from 1960 to 1962. while attending weber state college, richard met his first wife, ranae garner. the couple were married in 1963 in the salt lake temple in a ceremony officiated by spencer w. kimball. he earned a bachelor of science in history and political science from weber state college, then went on to earn a master of science in history from utah state university, having fulfilled a portion of his master's studies at colorado college. stallings taught history at ricks college in rexburg, idaho from 1969 until his election to congress in 1984. during those years, ranae gave birth to a son and a daughter, and the couple adopted another son.