Biographies of Prominent
Utah Deaf Men
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2012
Updated in 2021
Updated in 2023
Published in 2012
Updated in 2021
Updated in 2023
Acknowledgement
I want to acknowledge and extend my heartfelt gratitude to Valerie G. Kinney for her vital support in donating her time to proofreading this document and interviewing the sources close to prominent individuals for more biographical details.
I am highly indebted to Anne Leahy for her generosity in assisting and contributing to the hard-to-find archive collections of particular individuals.
I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude to Helen Salas-McCarty for donating her time proofreading and editing the documents.
I want to thank Dr. Robert G. Sanderson (through Valerie G. Kinney), Kenneth L. Kinner, and Doug Stringham for recommending the names of prominent individuals.
I am highly indebted to Anne Leahy for her generosity in assisting and contributing to the hard-to-find archive collections of particular individuals.
I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude to Helen Salas-McCarty for donating her time proofreading and editing the documents.
I want to thank Dr. Robert G. Sanderson (through Valerie G. Kinney), Kenneth L. Kinner, and Doug Stringham for recommending the names of prominent individuals.
Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1933-36. Front Row (L-R): Robert G. Sanderson, ____, _____, Frank Orlando, _______ Back Row (L-R): _____, _____, Lloyd Jones, _____, Oliver I. Langworthy
I also thank Anne Leahy, Doug Stringham, and David Samuelson for their direction and guidance.
I am grateful to Eleanor McCowan for requesting that I work on the Utah Deaf History project. If not for her request, none of this would have happened.
I would like to thank my colleague, James Fenton, for recommending that I add a summary of each biography.
Additionally, special thanks should be given to those sources close to the subjects of these biographies who helped provide biographical details about them.
Finally, words alone cannot express my thanks to my husband, Duane Kinner, and my children, Joshua and Danielle, for their support and patience in completing this project. The "Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men" webpage could not have been completed without their support. Once again, many thanks.
Jodi Becker Kinner
I am grateful to Eleanor McCowan for requesting that I work on the Utah Deaf History project. If not for her request, none of this would have happened.
I would like to thank my colleague, James Fenton, for recommending that I add a summary of each biography.
Additionally, special thanks should be given to those sources close to the subjects of these biographies who helped provide biographical details about them.
Finally, words alone cannot express my thanks to my husband, Duane Kinner, and my children, Joshua and Danielle, for their support and patience in completing this project. The "Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men" webpage could not have been completed without their support. Once again, many thanks.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Why Does The Biographies
of Prominent Utah Deaf Men Matter?
of Prominent Utah Deaf Men Matter?
"Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men" gives the ASL community, especially the younger Deaf generation, the opportunity to learn more about their local Utah Deaf role models. By studying the leadership traits of those who came before them, future generations can learn how to advocate for causes effectively. They may be inspired to become more literate, educated, prosperous, and productive citizens.
The Deaf Utahns featured in these pages deserve praise for their unwavering dedication, commitment, and passion for making the lives of Deaf people better. These biographies will inspire the audience to follow in the footsteps of these extraordinary people since I enjoy reading biographies of remarkable people.
These leaders have my admiration for their unselfish commitment to the greater good.
Jodi Becker Kinner
The Deaf Utahns featured in these pages deserve praise for their unwavering dedication, commitment, and passion for making the lives of Deaf people better. These biographies will inspire the audience to follow in the footsteps of these extraordinary people since I enjoy reading biographies of remarkable people.
These leaders have my admiration for their unselfish commitment to the greater good.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Students of Utah School for the Deaf, 1928-1930. Back L-R: Wayne Stewart, William Woodward, Alton Fisher, John (Jack) White, Joseph Burnett, possible Leon Edwards, Arvel Christensen, Virgil Greenwood, ____
Front L-R: J. Sherwood Messerly, Rodney Walker, Melvin Penman, Wesley Perry, Verl Throup, _____
“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”
~Vince Lombardi~
~Vince Lombardi~
Note
Religion is mentioned in this biography document because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history in Utah and significantly influences the Utah Deaf community. Other religions are represented in the biographies because not all of the people included are members of the LDS Church.
The families of the people in the biographies will find this helpful for preserving history and researching their family trees. It can also preserve the story of the person's life so that people in the future can enjoy and remember it.
The families of the people in the biographies will find this helpful for preserving history and researching their family trees. It can also preserve the story of the person's life so that people in the future can enjoy and remember it.
Henry C. White, the Outspoken Leader
Henry C. White was named principal of the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1884 by Dr. John R. Park, president of the University of Utah, following the recommendation of Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College. He remained at USD until 1890, serving as a teacher, principal, and headmaster. Henry established the Arizona School for the Deaf at the University of Arizona in 1911, similar to the Utah School for the Deaf. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1880 and was one of the first attendees at the first convention of the National Association of the Deaf in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the same year.
Henry C. White. Photo courtesy of Gallaudet University Achieves
Henry C. White was born hearing on November 9, 1856 in Roxbury, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He lost his hearing at age four from scarlet fever (Census of Henry C. White). He was raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He first attended the Horace Mann Day School for the Deaf in Boston. In 1866, when he was nine years old, he went to the Hartford School for the Deaf as a student (The Utah Eagle, February 1922). After graduating from Hartford in 1880, he went to the Columbia Institute for the Deaf and Dumb (later renamed Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C., where he got a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1880 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957; The Utah Eagle, February 1922). The same year, he attended the National Association of the Deaf's first Cincinnati convention (Gannon, 1981).
Soon after he graduated, Henry became the manager of a home for older Deaf people in Allston, Massachusetts (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957). Then, on the advice of Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College, Dr. John R. Park, president of the University of Utah, made Henry the first principal of the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1884. The Legislature created the school as a part of the state university because John Beck and William Wood, both parents of Deaf children, pushed for it. It opened in a room in the University building on August 26, 1884 (The Utah Eagle, February 1922). Henry stayed at USD as a teacher, principal, and head teacher until 1890. Although Henry C. White did not found the Utah School for the Deaf, he is credited with leading and maintaining it, which still exists today, as a leader and administrator despite limited financial resources and a lack of support from the hearing community.
Before Henry left USD in 1890, he was the principal for five years. However, the impact of oralism spread across the country after the infamous Milan Conference of 1880 passed a resolution requiring using the oral method in deaf education. As a result, Henry's job was jeopardized. The oral movement in Utah reflected Henry's replacement as principal in 1889 by a hearing teacher from the Kansas School for the Deaf, Frank W. Metcalf (Evans, 1999).
When Frank was appointed principal in 1889, Henry took over as head teacher. He was enmity toward his successor, Frank and this conflict caused disputes between them. The Board of Regents investigated the situation and terminated Henry's employment with the school (The Utah Eagle, February 1922). He severed his ties with the school in February 1890 (White, 1890; Fay, 1893; Pace, 1946; Burdett; Utah School for the Deaf Brochure).
Professor White was not, in fact, alone in this situation. Deaf men who founded state schools for the deaf faced a similar challenge and were fired as principals for no reason other than being deaf. The Deaf community believed hearing people preferred hearing people to hold the positions. Professor White, along with three other Deaf principals, J.M. Koehler of Pennsylvania, A.R. Spear of North Dakota, and Mr. Long of the Indian Territory, were recognized as "shining lights in this particular, all men who built on firm foundations at the price of great discomfort and in the face of great sacrifices, only to be told to "get out" and make room for hearing men" (The Silent Worker, March 1900, p. 101). At the time, the national Deaf community regarded Professor White as one of the founders, completely unaware of the involvement of two parents, John Beck, and William Wood, in establishing the Utah School for the Deaf.
During Professor White's last year at the school, Frank M. Driggs, the school's then-boys' supervisor and long-time superintendent, got to know him and found him to be "well-educated, bright, alert, and active." Mr. Driggs was praised for 'his efforts to keep the school going during those early years when it required money and courage' (The Utah Eagle, February 1922, p. 2).
While Deaf leaders were battling Alexander Graham Bell, a well-known oral advocate, and attempting to halt the spread of oral day schools across the United States in 1894, Henry C. White, a gifted rhetorician, condemned school administrators for failing to consult directly with Deaf adults. "What of the Deaf themselves?" he wondered. "Have they no say in a matter which means intellectual life and death to them?" (Buchanan, 1850-1950, p. 28). During this time, Henry was one of the most foresighted Deaf activists, predicting that Deaf activists would be unable to mount the type of national campaign. Henry, according to Buchanan (1850-1950), "believed that deaf instructors had a moral claim in teaching positions, but he understood that such assertions were nothing if they were not based in law and protected by vigilant Deaf adults" (p. 32). Henry urged his peers at the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City in 1885 to define, organize, and defend a new set of rights. "One thing must be made clear, and if we wish to combat this lingering prejudice and secure justice...we must assert our claims to justice, or we will never receive it," he said (p. 32). Henry had clearly not forgotten the incident in Utah.
Soon after he graduated, Henry became the manager of a home for older Deaf people in Allston, Massachusetts (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957). Then, on the advice of Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College, Dr. John R. Park, president of the University of Utah, made Henry the first principal of the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1884. The Legislature created the school as a part of the state university because John Beck and William Wood, both parents of Deaf children, pushed for it. It opened in a room in the University building on August 26, 1884 (The Utah Eagle, February 1922). Henry stayed at USD as a teacher, principal, and head teacher until 1890. Although Henry C. White did not found the Utah School for the Deaf, he is credited with leading and maintaining it, which still exists today, as a leader and administrator despite limited financial resources and a lack of support from the hearing community.
Before Henry left USD in 1890, he was the principal for five years. However, the impact of oralism spread across the country after the infamous Milan Conference of 1880 passed a resolution requiring using the oral method in deaf education. As a result, Henry's job was jeopardized. The oral movement in Utah reflected Henry's replacement as principal in 1889 by a hearing teacher from the Kansas School for the Deaf, Frank W. Metcalf (Evans, 1999).
When Frank was appointed principal in 1889, Henry took over as head teacher. He was enmity toward his successor, Frank and this conflict caused disputes between them. The Board of Regents investigated the situation and terminated Henry's employment with the school (The Utah Eagle, February 1922). He severed his ties with the school in February 1890 (White, 1890; Fay, 1893; Pace, 1946; Burdett; Utah School for the Deaf Brochure).
Professor White was not, in fact, alone in this situation. Deaf men who founded state schools for the deaf faced a similar challenge and were fired as principals for no reason other than being deaf. The Deaf community believed hearing people preferred hearing people to hold the positions. Professor White, along with three other Deaf principals, J.M. Koehler of Pennsylvania, A.R. Spear of North Dakota, and Mr. Long of the Indian Territory, were recognized as "shining lights in this particular, all men who built on firm foundations at the price of great discomfort and in the face of great sacrifices, only to be told to "get out" and make room for hearing men" (The Silent Worker, March 1900, p. 101). At the time, the national Deaf community regarded Professor White as one of the founders, completely unaware of the involvement of two parents, John Beck, and William Wood, in establishing the Utah School for the Deaf.
During Professor White's last year at the school, Frank M. Driggs, the school's then-boys' supervisor and long-time superintendent, got to know him and found him to be "well-educated, bright, alert, and active." Mr. Driggs was praised for 'his efforts to keep the school going during those early years when it required money and courage' (The Utah Eagle, February 1922, p. 2).
While Deaf leaders were battling Alexander Graham Bell, a well-known oral advocate, and attempting to halt the spread of oral day schools across the United States in 1894, Henry C. White, a gifted rhetorician, condemned school administrators for failing to consult directly with Deaf adults. "What of the Deaf themselves?" he wondered. "Have they no say in a matter which means intellectual life and death to them?" (Buchanan, 1850-1950, p. 28). During this time, Henry was one of the most foresighted Deaf activists, predicting that Deaf activists would be unable to mount the type of national campaign. Henry, according to Buchanan (1850-1950), "believed that deaf instructors had a moral claim in teaching positions, but he understood that such assertions were nothing if they were not based in law and protected by vigilant Deaf adults" (p. 32). Henry urged his peers at the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City in 1885 to define, organize, and defend a new set of rights. "One thing must be made clear, and if we wish to combat this lingering prejudice and secure justice...we must assert our claims to justice, or we will never receive it," he said (p. 32). Henry had clearly not forgotten the incident in Utah.
Henry C. White (center) at the first convention of the National Association of the Deaf in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1880. His wife, Mary E. Mann is standing behind him.
Photo courtesy of "Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America"
After Henry quit his job at the Utah School for the Deaf, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as a printer for Acheson & Co. and published his newspaper, The National Gazette (The Silent Worker, June 1895; The Utah Eagle, February 1922; Gannon, 1981).
He eventually became an attorney and worked as a legal advisor. He also wrote a book called Law Points for Everybody, which sold 60,000 copies in New England in a month. Copies of a second edition were on order. His book about law covered New England and New York (The Silent Worker, June 1898). He sometimes worked with other lawyers in court cases involving the deaf and often acted as an interpreter on behalf of other deaf people. For example, he once assisted John L. Bates, a former governor of Massachusetts, with a critical case. Even though Henry didn't practice law, he became known as a teacher of the deaf in eastern cities (The Silent Worker, July 1912). He was a brilliant person.
Edward Allen Fay, a professor at Gallaudet College and the editor of the American Annals of the Deaf, wrote about Henry's strong English skills in March 1916 (The Silent Worker, April 1916):
"The value of this means of acquiring languages seems to have been discovered by a man who was himself deaf Henry C. White, then a student at Gallaudet College. Seeing that some of his fellow-students who were congenitally or quasicongenitally deaf had a much better command of the English language than others of equally good natural advantages and an equally long term of instruction, he sought the cause of this difference. He found it in the circumstance that those who understood and wrote English well were eager reader of books, while those whose command of English was inferior bad, like the great majority of deaf-born people, no taste for reading, and did little more of it than was required by the instructors."
He eventually became an attorney and worked as a legal advisor. He also wrote a book called Law Points for Everybody, which sold 60,000 copies in New England in a month. Copies of a second edition were on order. His book about law covered New England and New York (The Silent Worker, June 1898). He sometimes worked with other lawyers in court cases involving the deaf and often acted as an interpreter on behalf of other deaf people. For example, he once assisted John L. Bates, a former governor of Massachusetts, with a critical case. Even though Henry didn't practice law, he became known as a teacher of the deaf in eastern cities (The Silent Worker, July 1912). He was a brilliant person.
Edward Allen Fay, a professor at Gallaudet College and the editor of the American Annals of the Deaf, wrote about Henry's strong English skills in March 1916 (The Silent Worker, April 1916):
"The value of this means of acquiring languages seems to have been discovered by a man who was himself deaf Henry C. White, then a student at Gallaudet College. Seeing that some of his fellow-students who were congenitally or quasicongenitally deaf had a much better command of the English language than others of equally good natural advantages and an equally long term of instruction, he sought the cause of this difference. He found it in the circumstance that those who understood and wrote English well were eager reader of books, while those whose command of English was inferior bad, like the great majority of deaf-born people, no taste for reading, and did little more of it than was required by the instructors."
Henry C. White at the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Utah Eagle, February 1922
In June 1885, Henry married Mary Elizabeth Mann, who was also deaf and a graduate of the Ohio School for the Deaf (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957; The Salt Lake Herald, June 20, 1885; The Utah Eagle, February 1922). They were parents of three children: Emma Frances, Howard M., and Harriet Tuttle.
In 1911, Henry founded the Arizona School for the Deaf at the University of Arizona. It was similar to the one in Utah. During his three years as a principal, "he worked hard and put the school and its students first." Unfortunately, when ASD became an oral school, Henry's job was terminated in the middle of the school year for no reason, and he couldn't find another job (The Silent Worker, March 1920). In March 1913, Henry wrote the following about oralism in "The Silent Worker" magazine:
"Oralists never taught by any method but their own and cannot be expected to appreciate the utility of other methods than their own. They are not in touch with the deaf at all, for their own graduates turn against them and their method, after they have gone out into the stress and strife of life's battles and found themselves worse handicapped than their more fortunate brethren and sisters whose lives had been rounded out by the combined system."
After a few years, John T. Hughes, Chancellor of the University of Arizona, brought a bill to the Legislature to honor Henry's work at the ASD on March 12, 1919 (The Silent Worker, March 1920). Henry passed away at the County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on December 31, 1921 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957; The Utah Eagle, February 1922).
In 1911, Henry founded the Arizona School for the Deaf at the University of Arizona. It was similar to the one in Utah. During his three years as a principal, "he worked hard and put the school and its students first." Unfortunately, when ASD became an oral school, Henry's job was terminated in the middle of the school year for no reason, and he couldn't find another job (The Silent Worker, March 1920). In March 1913, Henry wrote the following about oralism in "The Silent Worker" magazine:
"Oralists never taught by any method but their own and cannot be expected to appreciate the utility of other methods than their own. They are not in touch with the deaf at all, for their own graduates turn against them and their method, after they have gone out into the stress and strife of life's battles and found themselves worse handicapped than their more fortunate brethren and sisters whose lives had been rounded out by the combined system."
After a few years, John T. Hughes, Chancellor of the University of Arizona, brought a bill to the Legislature to honor Henry's work at the ASD on March 12, 1919 (The Silent Worker, March 1920). Henry passed away at the County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on December 31, 1921 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866–1957; The Utah Eagle, February 1922).
Did You Know?
Dr. Edward Allen Fay said, "One of the most important aids in the acquisition of language by the deaf is much reading of books. From the frequent repetition of words and phrases, by which the hearing child unconsciously acquires language through the ear, the deaf are wholly shut off: reading and reading alone can give them this needed repetition" (The Silent Worker, April 1916).
References
Buchanan, Robert M. Illusion of Equality: Deaf Americans in school and factory 1850 -1950 (Online. Available HTTP: http://books.google.com/books?id=Tahfhls7TKYC&pg=PA28&sig=VbCZINlmYggHd34t9GD_udkD_dY&dq=this+of+utah+school+for+the+deaf+%221894%22+%22In+1894,+Portland%27s+newspapers+carried+a+series+of+exchanges+that+pitted+American+School+officials+and+deaf+activists+against+Bell+and+Yale.%22
Burdett, Kenneth C. (1960s). Utah School for the Deaf Brochure.
Census of Henry C. White.
Fay, Edward Allen. History of the Utah School for the Deaf - History of American Schools for the Deaf. 1817 – 1893. School of Education Library; Stanford University Libraries: The Volta Bureau, 1893. http://books.google.com/books?id=tjEWAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA21-PA10&lpg=RA21-PA10&dq=Frank+M.+Driggs,+deaf&source=web&ots=il1POQSsle&sig=5L_Ewyv3YcTrbGyafwB4psnD-k0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PRA21-PA10,M1
Evans, David S. A Silent World In The Intermountain West: Records From The Utah School For The Deaf and Blind, 1884-1941. Utah State University: Logan, Utah. 1999.
Fay, Edward Allen. History of the Utah School for the Deaf - History of American Schools for the Deaf. 1817 – 1893.School of Education Library; Stanford University Libraries: The Volta Bureau, 1893.
http://books.google.com/books?id=tjEWAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA21-PA10&lpg=RA21-PA10&dq=Frank+M.+Driggs,+Deaf&source=web&ots=il1POQSsle&sig=5L_Ewyv3YcTrbGyafwB4psnD-k0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#v=onepage&q=Frank%20M.%20Driggs%2C%20Deaf&f=false
Fay, Edward Allen. Organ of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. American Annals of the Deaf.Washington, D.C. Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf: American Annals of the Deaf, 1911.
http://books.google.com/books?id=d8AJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA455&lpg=PA455&dq=Elsie+Christiansen,+utah+and+deaf&source=bl&ots=ovSqzoQyv4&sig=0BXfmLY9_R5wE_G1LSU4KUbTUDc&hl=en&ei=_VdyTqSYJ8GlsQKSuPTCCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Elsie%20Christiansen%2C%20utah%20and%20deaf&f=false
Fay, Edward Allen. Organ of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. American Annals of the Deaf.Washington, D.C. Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf, 1916. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZqlKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA461&lpg=PA461&dq=Mary+Woolslayer+utah+deaf&source=bl&ots=lmFN_lM-J8&sig=GoVttIsw68vn5YTT0kn21OCyGow&hl=en&ei=-X5zTuOLFa6EsALR68yLBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Mary%20Woolslayer%20utah%20deaf&f=false
Gannon, Jack, R. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. Silver Spring, Maryland: National Association of the Deaf, 1981.
“Henry C. White.” The Utah Eagle, Vol. 33, no. 5 (February 1922): 1-2.
“Industrial Department." The Silent Worker, vol. 7. no. 10 (June 1895): 12. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/31446
“Mr. White Awarded.” The Silent Worker, vol. 32, no. 6. (June 1920): 149. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38064
“Mutely Married: Their wedding bells heard only by their happy hearts.” The Salt Lake Herald 1870-1909 (June 20, 1885): 8.
Pace, Irma Acord. “A History of the Utah School for the Deaf.” The Utah Eagle, vol. 58, no. 1 (October 1946): 1-33.
“The Kinetoscope and Telephone” The Silent Worker, vol. 12 no. 7 (March 1900): 101. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/32729
“The Silent Worker.” The Silent Worker, vol. 10 no. 10 (June 1898): 155. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/32324
White, Henry C.: B.A., 1880. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45187
White, Henry C. American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb. vol. 35 (July 1890): 221.
Burdett, Kenneth C. (1960s). Utah School for the Deaf Brochure.
Census of Henry C. White.
Fay, Edward Allen. History of the Utah School for the Deaf - History of American Schools for the Deaf. 1817 – 1893. School of Education Library; Stanford University Libraries: The Volta Bureau, 1893. http://books.google.com/books?id=tjEWAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA21-PA10&lpg=RA21-PA10&dq=Frank+M.+Driggs,+deaf&source=web&ots=il1POQSsle&sig=5L_Ewyv3YcTrbGyafwB4psnD-k0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PRA21-PA10,M1
Evans, David S. A Silent World In The Intermountain West: Records From The Utah School For The Deaf and Blind, 1884-1941. Utah State University: Logan, Utah. 1999.
Fay, Edward Allen. History of the Utah School for the Deaf - History of American Schools for the Deaf. 1817 – 1893.School of Education Library; Stanford University Libraries: The Volta Bureau, 1893.
http://books.google.com/books?id=tjEWAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA21-PA10&lpg=RA21-PA10&dq=Frank+M.+Driggs,+Deaf&source=web&ots=il1POQSsle&sig=5L_Ewyv3YcTrbGyafwB4psnD-k0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#v=onepage&q=Frank%20M.%20Driggs%2C%20Deaf&f=false
Fay, Edward Allen. Organ of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. American Annals of the Deaf.Washington, D.C. Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf: American Annals of the Deaf, 1911.
http://books.google.com/books?id=d8AJAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA455&lpg=PA455&dq=Elsie+Christiansen,+utah+and+deaf&source=bl&ots=ovSqzoQyv4&sig=0BXfmLY9_R5wE_G1LSU4KUbTUDc&hl=en&ei=_VdyTqSYJ8GlsQKSuPTCCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Elsie%20Christiansen%2C%20utah%20and%20deaf&f=false
Fay, Edward Allen. Organ of the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. American Annals of the Deaf.Washington, D.C. Conference of Superintendents and Principals of American Schools for the Deaf, 1916. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZqlKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA461&lpg=PA461&dq=Mary+Woolslayer+utah+deaf&source=bl&ots=lmFN_lM-J8&sig=GoVttIsw68vn5YTT0kn21OCyGow&hl=en&ei=-X5zTuOLFa6EsALR68yLBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Mary%20Woolslayer%20utah%20deaf&f=false
Gannon, Jack, R. Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America. Silver Spring, Maryland: National Association of the Deaf, 1981.
“Henry C. White.” The Utah Eagle, Vol. 33, no. 5 (February 1922): 1-2.
“Industrial Department." The Silent Worker, vol. 7. no. 10 (June 1895): 12. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/31446
“Mr. White Awarded.” The Silent Worker, vol. 32, no. 6. (June 1920): 149. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38064
“Mutely Married: Their wedding bells heard only by their happy hearts.” The Salt Lake Herald 1870-1909 (June 20, 1885): 8.
Pace, Irma Acord. “A History of the Utah School for the Deaf.” The Utah Eagle, vol. 58, no. 1 (October 1946): 1-33.
“The Kinetoscope and Telephone” The Silent Worker, vol. 12 no. 7 (March 1900): 101. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/32729
“The Silent Worker.” The Silent Worker, vol. 10 no. 10 (June 1898): 155. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/32324
White, Henry C.: B.A., 1880. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45187
White, Henry C. American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb. vol. 35 (July 1890): 221.
Paul Mark, the Popular Leader
Paul Mark was elected president of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1915. He held this position for three years, from 1915 to 1918. He was also the president of the local chapter of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. He owned a shoe shop called "Dunn and Bradstreet" on 25th Street in Ogden, Utah. In his spare time, he enjoyed driving his Peerless car. In the year 1920, Paul was Utah's most popular Deaf leader. Members of the Deaf community would always call Mark for the most up-to-date information on the Deaf community. He held meetings in his shoe shop and invited Deaf members to stay with him.
Paul Mark @ FamilySearch.org
Paul Mark was born in Utah on September 17, 1872, in Brigham City, Utah.
In the 1880 census, Paul is listed as living in Terrace, Box Elder County, with his parents, Nicholas and Ann Mark. Terrace is now a ghost town in the Great Salt Lake Desert in west-central Box Elder County.
Paul graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1892 (The Utah Eagle, November 15, 1909).
Paul married Theresa Maria Rasche, also deaf, on November 15, 1899, and had four children: Pauline Veronica, Theodore Paul, Nathaniel Cullen, and Nicholas Paul. The family belonged to the Catholic faith.
In the 1880 census, Paul is listed as living in Terrace, Box Elder County, with his parents, Nicholas and Ann Mark. Terrace is now a ghost town in the Great Salt Lake Desert in west-central Box Elder County.
Paul graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1892 (The Utah Eagle, November 15, 1909).
Paul married Theresa Maria Rasche, also deaf, on November 15, 1899, and had four children: Pauline Veronica, Theodore Paul, Nathaniel Cullen, and Nicholas Paul. The family belonged to the Catholic faith.
Paul Mark and his family in San Diego, California, 1915 @ FamilySearch.org
Paul ran for president of the Utah Association of the Deaf on June 10, 1909, but lost to Elizabeth DeLong, the association's first woman president. He did not become president of the Utah Association of the Deaf until 1915, a position he held for three years until 1918. He was also the president of the local chapter of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. He had a family, owned a house, and spent his spare time driving his Peerless (White, The Silent Worker, April 1920).
The 1909 Utah Association of the Deaf Officers @ J. Willard Marriott Library
Paul Mark’s shoe shop on 25th Street, Ogden, Utah. The Silent Worker, October 1920
Paul was the most popular leader of the Utah Deaf community in 1920. He was a very modest man. He lived in Ogden, Utah, for many years and was well-liked by everyone who knew him (White, The Silent Worker, April 1920). On 25th Street, he ran "Dunn and Bradstreet," a shop. Paul ran a successful business and was a stockholder in several of Ogden's leading industries (White, The Silent Worker, April 1920; White, The Silent Worker, October 1920). More than 150 pairs of shoes were sometimes repaired in a single day. His business became so busy one day that he was forced to work past his regular closing time. Cyril Jones (the Deaf father of two Deaf sons, Von and Rollin Jones) of Logan became his assistant and eventually secured employment with the "Prince of Good Fellows," Paul Mark (White, The Silent Worker, June 1920).
When members of the Utah Deaf community needed to know what was going on with other deaf people, they checked with Mark. He held the gatherings in his shoe shop and invited Deaf members from all over the state to attend (White, The Silent Worker, April 1920).
When members of the Utah Deaf community needed to know what was going on with other deaf people, they checked with Mark. He held the gatherings in his shoe shop and invited Deaf members from all over the state to attend (White, The Silent Worker, April 1920).
Paul Mark, his wife, Theresa and daughter, Pauline. The Silent Worker, October 1920
Paul Marl and his oldest son, Teddy. The Silent Worker, October 1920
In 1920, Paul invited Harry C. Anderson, president of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, to ride in his "prairie shooner," a Peerless car, through the trail from Ogden Canyon to the Heritage Hotel, where President Anderson and his wife stayed during their visit to Ogden, Utah (White, The Silent Worker, November 1920).
Paul Mark @ FamilySearch.org
Paul passed away on December 28, 1945, Culver City, Los Angeles, California, and is buried at the Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden with his wife and his parents.
References
Paul Mark, 92. School for the Deaf. The Utah Eagle. November 15, 1909.
White, Bob. "Notes and Comments from the Land of the Mormons." The Silent Worker vol. 32 no. 7, April 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38096
White, Bob. “Notes and Comments from the Land of the Mormons.” The Silent Worker, vol. 32, no. 9, June 1920.
White, Bob. “Ogden’s Social and Religious Center.” The Silent Worker vol. 33 no. 1, October 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38209
White, Bob. “Winding Trails.” The Silent Worker, vol. 33, no. 2, November 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38227
White, Bob. "Notes and Comments from the Land of the Mormons." The Silent Worker vol. 32 no. 7, April 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38096
White, Bob. “Notes and Comments from the Land of the Mormons.” The Silent Worker, vol. 32, no. 9, June 1920.
White, Bob. “Ogden’s Social and Religious Center.” The Silent Worker vol. 33 no. 1, October 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38209
White, Bob. “Winding Trails.” The Silent Worker, vol. 33, no. 2, November 1920. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38227
John H. Clark, the Intelligent Leader
During John H. Clark's time at the Utah School for the Deaf, he was one of the editors of the student newspaper, The Eaglet. Upon graduation, he was the first student to enter Gallaudet College in 1897. During his senior year at Gallaudet, he was elected editor-in-chief of the college publication, Buff and Blue, and also wrote stories for it. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1902 with a major in mathematics. Percival Hall, Gallaudet College's second president, personally tutored him. He eventually completed his master's degree in science on June 7, 1924. John H. was a fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of the American Military Engineers, and a certified professional engineer and land surveyor in Utah and New Mexico. He was hired by the US government as a surveyor for some specific work in southern Utah in 1906. His assignment came as a result of his previous surveying work for Uncle Sam.
John H. Clark @ FamilySearch.org
When the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD) was founded in 1909, John Houston (Hout) Clark was among the first members. Elizabeth DeLong, the first woman President of UAD, was John H.'s cousin (Banks; UAD 1909 Minutes). Their mothers were sisters.
John H. Clark was born hearing on May 17, 1880, in Panguitch, Utah, to Riley Garner Clark and Margaret Houston. There were ten children: Arthur, Riley Garner III, John Houston, James Cecil, Joseph Clark, Ernest Clark, Margaret Fern, Ivy Amanda, Stanley M, and Elden Dewey.
When John H. was ten, his two brothers, Arthur and Ernest, died of spinal meningitis, leaving him completely deaf. John was tutored and attended school in Panguitch for the first year after he became deaf. John began attending the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Salt Lake City, which was housed at the University of Deseret in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a student in 1891 when he was 11 years old (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). His cousin, Elizabeth Delong, better known as "Libbie," with whom he had a close relationship, was also a student at USD at the time (Banks). Thomas, John's son, recalls his father being registered as "student #70 on September 12, 1891." John H. was one of the student newspaper editors, The Eaglet, during his time at the school (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). John H. and Libbie were storytellers at the gathering in 1893 as members of the Student Literacy Society (Banks).
John H. Clark was born hearing on May 17, 1880, in Panguitch, Utah, to Riley Garner Clark and Margaret Houston. There were ten children: Arthur, Riley Garner III, John Houston, James Cecil, Joseph Clark, Ernest Clark, Margaret Fern, Ivy Amanda, Stanley M, and Elden Dewey.
When John H. was ten, his two brothers, Arthur and Ernest, died of spinal meningitis, leaving him completely deaf. John was tutored and attended school in Panguitch for the first year after he became deaf. John began attending the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Salt Lake City, which was housed at the University of Deseret in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a student in 1891 when he was 11 years old (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). His cousin, Elizabeth Delong, better known as "Libbie," with whom he had a close relationship, was also a student at USD at the time (Banks). Thomas, John's son, recalls his father being registered as "student #70 on September 12, 1891." John H. was one of the student newspaper editors, The Eaglet, during his time at the school (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). John H. and Libbie were storytellers at the gathering in 1893 as members of the Student Literacy Society (Banks).
John H. Clark as a boy and his father, Riley Garner Clark
John H. was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the Utah School for the Deaf was located at the University of Utah, John H. was most likely one of the first Deaf Mute Sunday School students of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Daily Enquirer, February 11, 1892). When USD moved to Ogden in 1896, he continued to attend and even teach Sunday School in the old Ogden Fourth Ward Amusement Hall (Deseret News, November 21, 1896).
John H. Clark is an editor of the student newspaper, the Eaglet
John H. and Libbie were the only members to graduate from USD on June 8, 1897 (The Ogden Standard, May 8, 1897). That September, they were the first students to enroll at Gallaudet College. On September 15, 1897, Frank M. Driggs, superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind, accompanied them by train to their first year at Gallaudet for a four-year college. At the same time, Frank was enrolled in a one-year teacher training program (The Ogden Examiner-Standard, September 15, 1897). If he hadn't been present, John H. and Libbie would not have had the opportunity to travel so far.
John H. was a good student at Gallaudet University, was involved in all sports, and dressed well. He was the Gallaudet football team's assistant coach (The Silent Worker, December 1900). He was voted editor-in-chief of the college publication Buff and Blue during his senior year, and he also contributed pieces to it. Libbie, a senior, was also named associate editor (The Ogden Examiner-Standard, June 19, 1901; Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). According to an Ogden Standard article from 1901, "To be elected editor-in-chief of the college paper has always been considered one of the highest honors."
John H. was a good student at Gallaudet University, was involved in all sports, and dressed well. He was the Gallaudet football team's assistant coach (The Silent Worker, December 1900). He was voted editor-in-chief of the college publication Buff and Blue during his senior year, and he also contributed pieces to it. Libbie, a senior, was also named associate editor (The Ogden Examiner-Standard, June 19, 1901; Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). According to an Ogden Standard article from 1901, "To be elected editor-in-chief of the college paper has always been considered one of the highest honors."
John H. Clark walking by Ole Gym at Gallaudet
According to an article in "The Deseret Weekly," being a Mormon boy at that college [Gallaudet] and being so far away from home were both new to John H. In this article, he defends his Mormon faith as a sophomore when a respected Gallaudet professor makes false claims about Mormon doctrines. A Gallaudet junior believes Brigham Young ordered the infamous Mountain Meadow Massacre under the widely assumed (but unproven) leadership of John Doyle Lee (the author's husband, Duane Lee Kinner, is a direct descendant of John Doyle Lee). "It is perfectly astrounding how little most eastern people know about our faith" (Clark, The Deseret Weekly, January 15, 1898).
John H. majored in mathematics at Gallaudet. Percival Hall, the second President of Gallaudet University, was his personal tutor. John H. graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor's degree in 1902 and a master's science degree on June 7, 1924 (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). According to an article in "The Deseret Weekly," being a Mormon boy at that college [Gallaudet] and being so far away from home were both new to John H. In this article, he defends his Mormon faith as a sophomore when a respected Gallaudet professor makes false claims about Mormon doctrines. A Gallaudet junior believes Brigham Young ordered the infamous Mountain Meadow Massacre under the widely assumed (but unproven) leadership of John Doyle Lee (the author's husband, Duane Lee Kinner, is a direct descendant of John Doyle Lee). "It is perfectly astrounding how little most eastern people know about our faith" (Clark, The Deseret Weekly, January 15, 1898).
John H. majored in mathematics at Gallaudet. Percival Hall, the second President of Gallaudet University, was his personal tutor. John H. graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor's degree in 1902 and a master's science degree on June 7, 1924 (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008).
John H. majored in mathematics at Gallaudet. Percival Hall, the second President of Gallaudet University, was his personal tutor. John H. graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor's degree in 1902 and a master's science degree on June 7, 1924 (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008). According to an article in "The Deseret Weekly," being a Mormon boy at that college [Gallaudet] and being so far away from home were both new to John H. In this article, he defends his Mormon faith as a sophomore when a respected Gallaudet professor makes false claims about Mormon doctrines. A Gallaudet junior believes Brigham Young ordered the infamous Mountain Meadow Massacre under the widely assumed (but unproven) leadership of John Doyle Lee (the author's husband, Duane Lee Kinner, is a direct descendant of John Doyle Lee). "It is perfectly astrounding how little most eastern people know about our faith" (Clark, The Deseret Weekly, January 15, 1898).
John H. majored in mathematics at Gallaudet. Percival Hall, the second President of Gallaudet University, was his personal tutor. John H. graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor's degree in 1902 and a master's science degree on June 7, 1924 (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008).
John H. Clark (right) at Gallaudet with his friend
After John H. graduated from Gallaudet College, he became successful in his career. He was a member of the American Military Engineers and a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor in both Utah and New Mexico. He was appointed a surveyor by the United States government for some specific work in southern Utah in 1906. His promotion was based on his previous surveying work for Uncle Sam (The Silent Worker, June 1906).
Among John H.'s accomplishments were the following:
• He oversaw the Kaibab National Forest and Game Preserve as its first supervisor.
• Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief Forester, nominated him.
• In Oregon, Washington, and Utah, he conducted surveys for the United States Forest Service.
• He was the first to survey the Snake River's Hell's Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho state line.
• The Utah State Road Commission employed him as a supervisor.
• He established a civil engineering firm and built highways, dams, power plants, and water systems for southern Utah, northern Arizona, and New Mexico cities.
In addition, he worked for the Colorado Power and Light Distribution System as a civil engineer (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008).
Among John H.'s accomplishments were the following:
• He oversaw the Kaibab National Forest and Game Preserve as its first supervisor.
• Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief Forester, nominated him.
• In Oregon, Washington, and Utah, he conducted surveys for the United States Forest Service.
• He was the first to survey the Snake River's Hell's Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho state line.
• The Utah State Road Commission employed him as a supervisor.
• He established a civil engineering firm and built highways, dams, power plants, and water systems for southern Utah, northern Arizona, and New Mexico cities.
In addition, he worked for the Colorado Power and Light Distribution System as a civil engineer (Dr. Thomas C. Clark, personal communication, November 13, 2008).
John H.Clark
While working for the Sevier Forest Reserve, John H. surveyed boundaries and made errors, resulting in inaccurate proclamations withdrawing specific areas. In 1907, he produced a favorable report on removing the Bear Creek Canyon Area from the Sevier. In the same year, he also gave a good report about the Cottonwood Creek Addition (Wilson, May 2004).
In the 1920s and 1930s, John H. headed the Clark Construction Company in Panguitch, Utah, as a civil engineer. Irrigation projects, roads, dams, and reservoirs were among the things he developed. Clark employed and trained hearing men who were not engineers. He did all of the technical and managerial work on his own. Although he graduated from Gallaudet College, he has yet to study civil engineering there. Math and the ability to discover things by himself were the only things he learned there. With his arithmetic skills, he began working for the forest service and land offices, learning a little here and there while working and studying full-time until he had enough courage and confidence to work as a contractor and engineer on his own (Wenger, The Silent Worker, January 1925). He knew the routes in southern Utah because he was born and raised in the Panguitch area.
In the 1920s and 1930s, John H. headed the Clark Construction Company in Panguitch, Utah, as a civil engineer. Irrigation projects, roads, dams, and reservoirs were among the things he developed. Clark employed and trained hearing men who were not engineers. He did all of the technical and managerial work on his own. Although he graduated from Gallaudet College, he has yet to study civil engineering there. Math and the ability to discover things by himself were the only things he learned there. With his arithmetic skills, he began working for the forest service and land offices, learning a little here and there while working and studying full-time until he had enough courage and confidence to work as a contractor and engineer on his own (Wenger, The Silent Worker, January 1925). He knew the routes in southern Utah because he was born and raised in the Panguitch area.
Blanche and John Clark
John H. married Blanche Langford, a hearing lady, on November 28, 1922, when he was 43 years old, and they lived in Panguitch, Utah, until his death on May 1, 1955. He and Blanche had two daughters, Rosemond and Virginia, and two sons, John H. Jr., and Thomas Cecil.
John H.'s son, Dr. Thomas Cecil Clark (hearing), graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree, a master's degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a professor in the Speech Pathology, Audiology, and Deaf Education Department at Utah State University for almost 25 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for Deaf education (Logan Herald Journal, March 17–March 19, 2010). Dr. Clark was a true pioneer in Deaf education and early intervention services for Deaf children on a national level. He recognized that early language exposure was crucial for Deaf children's progress. As a result, he pioneered developing programs that provided services to Deaf children's families in their homes. At Utah State University, he founded the SKI HI Institute, which has become a model for early home intervention programs for Deaf children and children with disabilities in the United States and worldwide. In addition, the Utah State University Department of Deaf Education set up the Thomas Cecil and Bonnie Clark Deaf Education Scholarship to help future graduate students get a high-quality education and training.
John H.'s son, Dr. Thomas Cecil Clark (hearing), graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree, a master's degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a professor in the Speech Pathology, Audiology, and Deaf Education Department at Utah State University for almost 25 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for Deaf education (Logan Herald Journal, March 17–March 19, 2010). Dr. Clark was a true pioneer in Deaf education and early intervention services for Deaf children on a national level. He recognized that early language exposure was crucial for Deaf children's progress. As a result, he pioneered developing programs that provided services to Deaf children's families in their homes. At Utah State University, he founded the SKI HI Institute, which has become a model for early home intervention programs for Deaf children and children with disabilities in the United States and worldwide. In addition, the Utah State University Department of Deaf Education set up the Thomas Cecil and Bonnie Clark Deaf Education Scholarship to help future graduate students get a high-quality education and training.
Dr. Thomas Cecil Clark
Note
Dr. Thomas C. Clark, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, November 13, 2008.
References
Clark, John H. “From Washington.” The Deseret Weekly, p. 141-142, January 15, 1898.
“DeLong and Clark with Driggs to Gallaudet.” The Ogden Standard, September 15, 1897.
“DeLong and Clark on Gallaudet Buff and Blue.” Ogden Standard, p. 1-4, June 19, 1901.
“Gallaudet College.” The Silent Worker, vol.13, no. 4 (December 1900): 51.
John H. Clark: B.S., 1902: Honorary M.S., 1924. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://www.aladin.wrlc.org/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=d-01000-00---off-0alumni--00-1--0-10-0---0---0prompt-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-600---20-home---01-3-1-00-0-0-11-0-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=alumni&cl=CL2.3.108&d=HASHca9a24d040ebc6e140031b
“Obituary: Dr. Thomas Cecil Clark.” Logan Herald Journal, March 17-19, 2010. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hjnews/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-clark&pid=140793817
“USDB.” Ogden Standard (May 8, 1897): 5.
“With Our Exchanges.” The Silent Worker, vol. 18, no. 9, June 1906.
“DeLong and Clark with Driggs to Gallaudet.” The Ogden Standard, September 15, 1897.
“DeLong and Clark on Gallaudet Buff and Blue.” Ogden Standard, p. 1-4, June 19, 1901.
“Gallaudet College.” The Silent Worker, vol.13, no. 4 (December 1900): 51.
John H. Clark: B.S., 1902: Honorary M.S., 1924. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://www.aladin.wrlc.org/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=d-01000-00---off-0alumni--00-1--0-10-0---0---0prompt-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-600---20-home---01-3-1-00-0-0-11-0-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=alumni&cl=CL2.3.108&d=HASHca9a24d040ebc6e140031b
“Obituary: Dr. Thomas Cecil Clark.” Logan Herald Journal, March 17-19, 2010. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hjnews/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-clark&pid=140793817
“USDB.” Ogden Standard (May 8, 1897): 5.
“With Our Exchanges.” The Silent Worker, vol. 18, no. 9, June 1906.
Ray G. Wenger and
Arthur W. Wenger, the Advocate Leaders
Wenger Laboratories, a bacteriological-chemical laboratory, was founded by Ray and Arthur Wenger in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1938. Shortly after opening, their laboratory soon established a positive reputation among doctors and professionals. In addition, the Arthur Wenger Athletic Association, a club for older boys, was founded in 1919 and named after Arthur Wenger, a distinguished alumnus of the school. Despite their jobs' rigors, the twins worked to support the Utah Deaf community. Arthur was a lifetime member of the Utah Association of the Deaf and served as its president. Ray was inducted into the association as a lifelong member. In 1957, Ray was named a lifetime member of the association in honor of his many years of contribution to the Utah Deaf community, notably in the field of education. Ray had also served on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind's Advisory Council.
Ray Grayson Wenger & Arthur Winters Wenger, the Utah's Famous Twin Team
Ray Grayson Wenger and his twin brother, Arthur Winters Wenger, were known as the “Utah’s Famous Twin Team.” They were born hearing in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 3, 1892. Their father, David H. Wenger, a lawyer, was the first city judge, and their mother, Mary Florence Grayson was a school teacher (E.F.L., The Silent Worker, May 1922; UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964; UAD Bulletin, June 1973).
Ray and Arthur Wenger @ FamilySearch.org
Ray G. Wenger @ FamilySearch.org
At the age of two, they had a severe attack of scarlet fever, which left them deaf. Ray and Arthur were inseparable and had the same tastes. At home, their mother taught them to read and speak. Through her efforts, they were able to attend the public schools through the 6th grade. At the age of fourteen, they enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1906, where they excelled in sports, classrooms, and extra-curricular activities.
Arthur W. Wenger @ FamilySearch.org
Arthur (left seat) and Ray (middle seat) playing for the Gallaudet basketball team @ FamilySearch.org
Upon graduation in 1913, they went to Gallaudet College and remained there for the first three years. During World War I, Ray and Arthur were eager to complete their senior year at Gallaudet, but his family’s savings shrank. They didn’t want to burden their parents by paying for their education. They agreed that they would take turns working to put each other through the University of Utah, one working to pay the expenses of the other for attending the university (E.F.L., The Silent Worker, May 1922; U.A.D. Bulletin, Winter 1964). It turned out that Arthur found a good job as a candy and soda syrup maker. Ray enrolled at the University of Utah in 1917 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1918 and his Master’s in 1919 in bacteriology while Arthur worked (U.A.D. Bulletin, June 1973).
The Wenger Brothers at the University of Utah, 1922. Ray, wears a hat while Arthur sports a cap. Photo courtesy of the Silent Worker, May 1922
By this time, Ray had found part-time work with the State Board of Health and a faculty position at the University of Utah. Arthur happily enrolled at the University of Utah. Like his brother, he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
Ray and Arthur’s careers included mining camps, hunting microbes in the LDS Hospital, and Wenger Laboratories. Ray began his career as a biochemist at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City in 1922 and served there for 44 years. During that time, he aided in the establishment of the first blood bank in Utah and produced the first set of antisera for blood matching in the state (The Utah Eagle, October 1973). Eventually, Ray became an assistant bacteriologist, pathologist, and later head of biochemistry activities at the same hospital. In addition, Arthur organized and operated a chemical laboratory in a new 200-bed hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he was also an X-ray technician and teacher of biochemistry in the nurses’ training (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964; Deseret News, May 8, 1973; UAD Bulletin, June 1973).
Ray and Arthur’s careers included mining camps, hunting microbes in the LDS Hospital, and Wenger Laboratories. Ray began his career as a biochemist at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City in 1922 and served there for 44 years. During that time, he aided in the establishment of the first blood bank in Utah and produced the first set of antisera for blood matching in the state (The Utah Eagle, October 1973). Eventually, Ray became an assistant bacteriologist, pathologist, and later head of biochemistry activities at the same hospital. In addition, Arthur organized and operated a chemical laboratory in a new 200-bed hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he was also an X-ray technician and teacher of biochemistry in the nurses’ training (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964; Deseret News, May 8, 1973; UAD Bulletin, June 1973).
Clinical Chemists. Utah's famous twin team, Arthur
& Ray Wenger, operate out of their own laboratory
in Salt Lake City, Utah where they have specialized in
pollen extracts and medical clinical chemistry. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
In 1938, Arthur saved $80.00 to join his brother Ray in establishing the Wenger Laboratories, a bacteriological-chemical laboratory in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Since its establishment in 1938, Arthur had been the director while Ray was the assistant director. Their laboratory quickly gained a favorable reputation among doctors and professional people. At the lab, Ray met his future Deaf wife, Willena Newman. They married in 1939 and had two boys, Grayson and Brent. Arthur remained a bachelor and loved his work (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964; Deseret News, May 8, 1973; UAD Bulletin, June 1973; The Utah Eagle, October 1973).
The Wenger brothers working in the Wenger Laboratory
According to the Winter 1964 UAD Bulletin issue, soon after Ray and Arthur opened their laboratory, they collaborated on a bacteriological-chemical research for Utah Copper Company (the company later changed its name to Kennecott Copper Corp. and then to Rio Tinto Corporation) in connection with a million-dollar lawsuit brought by residents in the valley that claimed the company’s operations were damaging their farms and health. They conducted exhaustive tests, and there the research was instrumental in the court’s finding of no cause for action. Ray and Arthur were glad that their work was found satisfactory because Utah Copper Company had previously turned them down, due to their deafness, when they sought employment (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
Ray and Arthur also assisted with other lawsuits by providing expert testimony for the Salt Lake Telegram and "the woman with the golden blood" by Rose McMullin of Washington, D.C. (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
Ray and Arthur also assisted with other lawsuits by providing expert testimony for the Salt Lake Telegram and "the woman with the golden blood" by Rose McMullin of Washington, D.C. (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
Wenger Twins, Ray and Arthur, in Wenger Laboratories @ FamilySearch.org
UAD Bulletin, June 1973
The brothers could not live on a college degree alone. To keep up with the newest discoveries in chemistry, they buried their nose in a dozen magazines on chemical science, journals, and the latest books. As a result, they were able to give doctors and patients the benefit of those new methods and ideas. In addition, they participated in numerous professional conferences and workshops and prepared many technical papers (Wenger, The Silent Worker, January 1925).
Ray & Author Wenger, 86 in the Wenger Laboratory
The Arthur Wenger Athletic Association, a club for older boys, was organized in 1919 and named to honor Arthur, one of the school’s outstanding graduates. The purpose of this club was to promote social development and good fellowship among the boys through participation in athletic activities. The Arthur Wenger Scholarship Fund was also named after him in 1957
(Pace, 1946).
(Pace, 1946).
Arthur Wenger (central). 1920 Utah School for the Deaf
Basketball Team
The twins had a Deaf brother named D. Hartzler Wenger, who also attended the Utah School for the Deaf. The three were known as “The Three Musketeers” of Salt Lake City. The Utah Deaf community knew him as “Hart.” He was the “baby” in the family but was as tall and strapping as his older brothers. His wife, Gladys Burnham, was also well known in the Utah Deaf community. They had no children (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
D. Hartzler Wenger
Arthur, Ray, and David Wenger @ FamilySearch.org
On April 21, 1973, at age 80, Ray and Arthur received honorary doctor of science degrees at Gallaudet College's 109th commencement exercises for their work in bacteriology and biochemistry (Deseret News, May 8, 1973). They were called Utah's twin gifts to science, education, and community service for the Utah Deaf community (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, January 2002). In addition, their outstanding work was recognized as research scientists in bacteriology and biochemistry, careers not easily nor commonly attained by a Deaf person (The Utah Eagle, October 1973). Gallaudet president Edward C. Merrill, Jr., in bestowing a citation of honor on the twin brothers, recognized their success as Deaf persons, noting that it served as a "model and inspiration to other deaf people" (UAD Bulletin, June 1973). The Wenger brothers' fame was not as leaders but as chemists. It was unique that two brothers, twins, worked as chemists (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Despite the heavy demands of the twins’ employment, they found the time to serve and work with the Utah Deaf community. Arthur was a past president of the Utah Association of the Deaf and a lifetime member. Ray was made a lifetime member of the association in 1957 in recognition of his many years of service on behalf of the Utah Deaf community, particularly in the field of education. Ray had also served on the Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind Advisory Council. He participated in the 1961 Workshop on Community Development through the Organization of and for the Deaf at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Arthur was a delegate to the 1964 National Association of the Deaf Convention. Ray and Arthur were friendly and down-to-earth. They had the respect and admiration of all who knew them (UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964).
Ray passed away on May 3, 1984, and Arthur died on April 5, 1987. Their brother, D. Hart, passed away before the twins in Denver, Colorado, on July 18, 1972.
Ray passed away on May 3, 1984, and Arthur died on April 5, 1987. Their brother, D. Hart, passed away before the twins in Denver, Colorado, on July 18, 1972.
Ray and Arthur Wenger @ FamilySearch.org
Note
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
References
“Deaf Twins Honored.” Deseret News, May 8, 1973.
E.F.L. “The Three Musketeers of Salt Lake City, Utah.” The Silent Worker vol. 34 no. 8 (May 1922): 289-290. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38711
“Gallaudet Honors Wenger Brothers.” The Utah Eagle, Vol. 85, No. 1 (October 1973): 5.
Kinney, Velerie. “Utah Deaf Trivia.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 25.8 (January 2002): 2.
“Ray Wenger Starts New Career.” The UAD Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 5 (Winter 1964): 3-4.
“Recipients of Honorary Degrees from Gallaudet College.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 3 (June 1973): 1.
Wenger, Arthur Winters: 1918 (4 years). Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45627
Wenger, Arthur. “Distinctive Features of Schools for the Deaf; No. 11 --- The Inspirational Side of the Utah School.” The Silent Worker, vol. 33 no. 4 (January 1921): 111-113. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?img=3&url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38266
Wenger, Hart. The Trade Magazine and Your Future.” The Silent Worker, vol. 37 no. 4 (January 1925): 182. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/39476
Wenger, Ray Grayson: 1918 (4 years). Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45627
E.F.L. “The Three Musketeers of Salt Lake City, Utah.” The Silent Worker vol. 34 no. 8 (May 1922): 289-290. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38711
“Gallaudet Honors Wenger Brothers.” The Utah Eagle, Vol. 85, No. 1 (October 1973): 5.
Kinney, Velerie. “Utah Deaf Trivia.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 25.8 (January 2002): 2.
“Ray Wenger Starts New Career.” The UAD Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 5 (Winter 1964): 3-4.
“Recipients of Honorary Degrees from Gallaudet College.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 3 (June 1973): 1.
Wenger, Arthur Winters: 1918 (4 years). Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45627
Wenger, Arthur. “Distinctive Features of Schools for the Deaf; No. 11 --- The Inspirational Side of the Utah School.” The Silent Worker, vol. 33 no. 4 (January 1921): 111-113. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?img=3&url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/38266
Wenger, Hart. The Trade Magazine and Your Future.” The Silent Worker, vol. 37 no. 4 (January 1925): 182. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/39476
Wenger, Ray Grayson: 1918 (4 years). Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/45627
Kenneth C. Burdett, the Inspirational Leader
Kenneth C. Burdett, who had a long history with the Utah School for the Deaf, was honored with the ASL/English Bilingual program at the Ogden Campus (USD). Kenneth C. gave selflessly to the USD. From 1934 until 1974, he worked at the school for four decades. He was a student, Boy's Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator at the USD for fifty-two years. Kenneth devoted himself to USD throughout his long and illustrious career. He was also a member of the Utah Association of the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf, among other organizations.
Kenneth C. Burdett, a student at Gallaudet College (1929-1934)
Kenneth Charles Burdett, also known as KB, was born on October 20, 1909, in Evanston, Wyoming, to Charles Lyman Burdett and Sarah Thomas. He lost his hearing at the age of two after becoming seriously ill with measles and chicken pox at the same time (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Charles and Sarah enrolled Kenneth at the Utah School for the Deaf on January 16, 1916, because the state of Wyoming did not provide educational opportunities for deaf children at the time. Following that, he spent a school year as a resident student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden. During the summers and holidays, he spent time with his family in Evanston (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth spent his free time participating in sports as a young student, both in and out of school. Kenneth's enthusiasm and love of life drew a large number of friends, and he enjoyed spending time with them, whether it was hunting, fishing, sports, or other activities. In addition, he was a natural leader and an inspiration to many of those with whom he worked (Ronald and Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Charles and Sarah enrolled Kenneth at the Utah School for the Deaf on January 16, 1916, because the state of Wyoming did not provide educational opportunities for deaf children at the time. Following that, he spent a school year as a resident student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden. During the summers and holidays, he spent time with his family in Evanston (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth spent his free time participating in sports as a young student, both in and out of school. Kenneth's enthusiasm and love of life drew a large number of friends, and he enjoyed spending time with them, whether it was hunting, fishing, sports, or other activities. In addition, he was a natural leader and an inspiration to many of those with whom he worked (Ronald and Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1929 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Kenneth entered Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1929, after completing his undergraduate studies at the Utah School for the Deaf. His college years were filled with courses of study, varsity sports, and other campus activities. He was a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity beginning his freshman year and played basketball for Gallaudet from 1931 to 1934. He also worked as a printer for Gallaudet College's Buff and Blue magazine. In the spring of 1934, he graduated with honors (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957).
Kenneth C. Burdett playing for the Gallaudet College football squad, 1931
Kenneth C. Burdett playing for the Gallaudet basketball team, 1930-34
Kenneth C. Burdett, sitting. playing for the Gallaudet basketball team, 1934. Gallaudet's The Buff and Blue, June 1934, p.7
Kenneth C. Burdett, a member of Kappa Gamma, 1934. Gallaudet's The Buff and Blue, June 1934, p. 5
Although Kenneth had several job options after graduation, he returned to his alma mater, USD, and pursued a teaching career. Initially, he worked as a teacher during the day and as a dormitory counselor at night. For the first two years, he taught social studies and mathematics. In addition to his other teaching duties, he was hired as a printing instructor in 1936. He attended linotype school in Chicago, Illinois, over the summer of 1936. He also had additional photography education training at Weber State College. Following that, Kenneth pursued continuing education training in teaching, printing, and photography at the University of Utah, Utah State University, and Brigham Young University. This core of teaching responsibilities and educational development thus lasted until 1963 (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1934 Gallaudet Graduate @ FamilySearch.org
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1934 Gallaudet College Senior @ FamilySearch.org
Kenneth's leadership was instrumental in developing and organizing the printing department for over forty years. Additionally, Kenneth was the editor of the monthly "Utah Eagle" magazine that USD published (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). Under Kenneth's direction, this publication served as an ongoing tribute to USD and its students and a constant teaching tool. Kenneth never missed a single publishing deadline during those years. He worked tirelessly after school and on weekends to complete the tasks (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, standing far right, teaching a printing class at the Utah School for the Deaf, 1960s
Kenneth C. Burdett's for the Utah School for the Deaf seniors, The Utah Eagle, 1935
Kenneth C. Burdett teaching math at the Utah School for the Deaf, 1960s
Kenneth was appointed as the Curriculum Coordinator of the Total Communication Department on September 1, 1963 (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). This position was made part-time in addition to his teaching responsibilities for the next ten years. Kenneth was promoted to full-time Curriculum Coordinator of USD's Total Communication Division in 1973, a position he held until his retirement in May 1974. Kenneth is recognized in a well-known book entitled "Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America," written in 1981 by Deaf author Jack Gannon, for his influential role as Curriculum Coordinator for the Total Communication Division at the Utah School for the Deaf" (Gannon, 1981).
Kenneth C. Burdett, a Curriculum Instructor. Supervising the simultaneous academic department of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1968
The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
Kenneth's work ethics, positive nature, and influence were extraordinary throughout his forty-year career. His responses were always genuine and prompt. There was never a job that was too difficult or a day that was too long. His deep affection for the USD students was always evident in his attendance at all school functions involving students. From 1934 to 1946, he was also the head basketball coach and athletic director. He gave of himself regularly as an advisor to various student organizations, including the student council, and on numerous faculty committees. Kenneth was a perfectionist in his own right, and he always expected his students to put forth their best efforts. Graduates of his printing classes were always in high demand, with the vast majority of "his" printers finding work, often through his efforts to see their work (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, back right, a coach for the Utah School for the Deaf basketball team, 1940s
Dr. Jay J. Campbell, Deputy Superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education and staunch supporter of the Utah Deaf community delivered Kenneth's keynote address at the 25th Biennial Convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1973, speaking on "Humanizing Education" — making education a warm and personal thing (UAD Bulletin, June 1973; Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, 2011). Kenneth and his students were not surprised by this. Throughout his career, he has always embodied and demonstrated this concept through his actions.
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1958
Kenneth and Afton Curtis, USD graduates of 1933, grew up as friends at USD. They started dating in his senior year at Gallaudet College while Afton was a freshman. Afton returned to Utah after Kenneth graduated from Gallaudet College rather than continuing her studies at Gallaudet. During the Great Depression, Afton's family could no longer afford to pay her tuition (she worked as a maid to President Percival Hall of Gallaudet University for several months). Her attraction to Kenneth drew her back to Utah as well. They were the first couple to marry at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Ogden Branch for the Deaf on July 29, 1936. The marriage was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 5, 1941. They had two children, JoAnn (hearing) in August 1945 and Ronald (Deaf) in September 1947 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957; The Utahan Yearbook, 1974; Obituary of Kenneth C. Burdett; Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Afton Curtis & Kenneth C. Burdett. Marriage Ceremony in the Ogden Branch for the Deaf, July 29, 1936
Afton began her career at USD as a girl's counselor before becoming a physical education, home economics, typing, and shorthand teacher. She wanted to teach English and history but needed a bachelor's degree. As a result, she enrolled in Weber State College (later renamed Weber State University) while teaching auxiliary classes at USD and raising two children. She was the first Deaf student to receive an Associate of Science degree from the college. She continued her education at Utah State University after finishing her degree. She was the first Deaf person to graduate from USU with honors in Elementary Education on June 6, 1959. Kenneth supported her throughout this effort by taking over much of the household responsibilities with the help of his children and working a night printing job to help pay her tuition fees (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1959; Tegeder, The Utah Eagle, October 1959; Ronald Burdett, personal communication, May 13, 2009).
Afton Curtis & Kenneth C. Burdett, late 1930s @ FamilySearch.org
Afton Curtis and Kenneth C. Burdett, JoAnn and Ronald (baby) in Ogden Utah, 1947 @ FamilySearch.org
Afton was excited to begin her teaching career now that she had her degree. However, just a year after graduation, Afton died suddenly from a heart condition on August 23, 1960, when JoAnn was only 15 and Ronald was about to turn 13. Kenneth lost not only his wife that year but his parents as well: his father in March 1960 and his mother in November 1960. With these unexpected events, he turned more intensely to his teaching and family to help him cope (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, 1962
Kenneth remarried longtime friend Priscilla Steele Rogerson, originally from Oklahoma, on June 19, 1965, in Tucson, Arizona, and added three Rogerson boys to his family: Terrance Blaine, Richard Leroy, and Charles Lee. Priscilla Rogerson was Earl Rogerson's widow. Years before, in 1944, Priscilla and Earl Rogerson relocated to Ogden after Earl was hired at USD to teach printing and chemistry. Before this history, Kenneth was Earl's printing instructor at USD before he left for college at Gallaudet. Throughout the 1940s, the two couples, Kenneth and Afton and Priscilla and Earl became close friends and spent many enjoyable hours camping and boating together. Priscilla made clothes for JoAnn and Ronald after their births, never expecting to be a part of their family. The Rogersons relocated from Ogden to Tucson in the late 1940s, where Earl taught at the Arizona School for the Deaf for the next 20 years. Earl passed away in July 1962. Kenneth and Priscilla were married in 1965 and were together for 35 years (Priscilla Burdett, personal communication, April 7, 2009).
Priscilla Steele Rogerson & Kenneth C. Burdett. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell
On May 24, 1974, present and former teachers, former students, friends, and neighbors gathered to pay tribute to Kenneth C. Burdett. Kenneth's films from previous decades, which showed class trips, graduations, and memorable campus activities, were highlighted. Superintendent Robert W. Tegeder, on behalf of USD, presented Kenneth with a plaque honoring his forty years of service. He was also given a set of golf clubs, among other gifts, to encourage new sports and outdoor adventures. Priscilla had also arranged for Kenneth's son, Ron, and his wife, Joyanne, from Fremont, California, and JoAnn and her two very young children from St. Louis, Missouri, to arrive unexpectedly during the ceremony.
Kenneth served USD selflessly throughout his life and career. He not only served the school as a professional for four decades, from 1934 to 1974, but he also spent fifty-two years directly involved at USD in his many roles: as a student, boy's supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator. In addition, he was a member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). He will be remembered for his unending support for student athletics, his deep love for his students (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974), and as an inspirational leader who believed in the growth potential of every student (Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006). In essence, he was a consummate teacher and coach who inspired youth and all those with whom he interacted (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Kenneth served USD selflessly throughout his life and career. He not only served the school as a professional for four decades, from 1934 to 1974, but he also spent fifty-two years directly involved at USD in his many roles: as a student, boy's supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator. In addition, he was a member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). He will be remembered for his unending support for student athletics, his deep love for his students (Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974), and as an inspirational leader who believed in the growth potential of every student (Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006). In essence, he was a consummate teacher and coach who inspired youth and all those with whom he interacted (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett, Curriculum Instructor of the Utah School for the Deaf, Utahn 1974
Kenneth devoted his time and energy after retirement to preserving the heritage of the Utah School for the Deaf. He and a team of volunteers spent innumerable hours and effort putting together booklets for the "First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni, 1976" and "A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion, 1984," which contained history and pictures of USD dating back to its founding in 1884. Kenneth and his team pasted the USD historical pictures on both sides of eight 4 x 8-foot bulletin boards, permanently covered with a special Mod Podge to preserve them from deterioration, so that USD alumni could remember their fond memories and appreciate the history of USD for years to come. The images show activities and scenes from campus life in Utah, such as academics, athletics, commencement exercises, superintendents, principals, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents/supervisors, and deaf organizations. Much of this history would have been lost or disorganized without his efforts. Kenneth also directed "A History of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940-1965" and "Alumni Reunion 1976." Again, much of this history would have been lost or disorganized without his efforts.
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Board of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1976
Kenneth was an advocate for Deaf organizations. He was the first president of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf's Ogden Division #127. He was awarded the 34th degree of Society for his dedicated service over two decades. Another organization he was a member of for many years and gave unselfishly of his time was the Utah Association for the Deaf. Kenneth was also a longtime member and supporter of the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf in Ogden.
Kenneth received two awards for his contributions to teaching Deaf students in 1976 at the age of 66. He was among thirteen people inducted into the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Hall of Fame. He received the Gold Key Award from the Utah Governor's Committee on Handicapped Employment. Dr. Roy Gibson, a professor at the University of Utah, presented Kenneth with the Gold Key Aware during a special ceremony in the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, emphasizing the impact of Kenneth's forty-year career on the education of Utah's Deaf and citing him for a record of "outstanding service" to society and to his community (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 19, 1976).
Kenneth received two awards for his contributions to teaching Deaf students in 1976 at the age of 66. He was among thirteen people inducted into the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Hall of Fame. He received the Gold Key Award from the Utah Governor's Committee on Handicapped Employment. Dr. Roy Gibson, a professor at the University of Utah, presented Kenneth with the Gold Key Aware during a special ceremony in the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, emphasizing the impact of Kenneth's forty-year career on the education of Utah's Deaf and citing him for a record of "outstanding service" to society and to his community (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 19, 1976).
Kenneth C. Burdett, far left, bottom) with members of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf
Kenneth was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served compassionately in various church activities at the Ogden Branch for the Deaf. He was President of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association for twenty-seven years. Kenneth C. Burdett, 1958 was awarded the rare honor of an Honorary Master M Men certificate and pin (given to men who had done outstanding work in some field such as athletics, administration, drama, scouting, etc., and who had devoted a good deal of their lives to youth) for his outstanding work among the Utah Deaf community. He was the first Deaf man to receive this honor and was one of only twenty-seven men in the entire LDS Church to do so at the time. Kenneth coached the Ogden Branch of the Deaf basketball team, twice winning the Ogden Stake tournament. Boyd E. Nelson, Superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf, expressed this thought in 1943:
“Coach and Mrs. Burdett are splendid players in this game of life. Their earnest endeavors and exemplary living reflect in the fine characters of our pupils. As Mr. Burdett’s adherence to the rules of fair play, untiring effort, and clean sport is inspired by his charming wife, so do these qualities spread with contagion to the boys whom they guide. In the recent basketball games, our boys demonstrated to the general public the results of fine coaching, and the type of leadership, which builds substantial American citizenship. Our children and school owe much to Supervisor, Teacher and Coach Kenneth Burdett and to Defense Worker, Scout Leader and Helpmate, Afton Burdett.” Boyd E. Nelson (Nelson, The Utah Eagle, March 1943)
“Coach and Mrs. Burdett are splendid players in this game of life. Their earnest endeavors and exemplary living reflect in the fine characters of our pupils. As Mr. Burdett’s adherence to the rules of fair play, untiring effort, and clean sport is inspired by his charming wife, so do these qualities spread with contagion to the boys whom they guide. In the recent basketball games, our boys demonstrated to the general public the results of fine coaching, and the type of leadership, which builds substantial American citizenship. Our children and school owe much to Supervisor, Teacher and Coach Kenneth Burdett and to Defense Worker, Scout Leader and Helpmate, Afton Burdett.” Boyd E. Nelson (Nelson, The Utah Eagle, March 1943)
Kenneth C. Burdett catching a big fish, 1962
Kenneth, as previously stated, was a lifelong outdoorsman. He particularly enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping with his family, whether the Burdetts, Curtiss, or Rogersons, and friends from his USD and Gallaudet years. Each summer, they spent much time camping in tents and their boat in the Jackson Hole/Yellowstone area, fishing, boating, and water skiing on Jackson Lake. In addition, when possible, extended family and friends would visit the Burdetts at their encampment (Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, October 27, 2011).
Kenneth died peacefully at home on June 29, 2000, at the age of 90. USD students, the Utah Deaf community, and those who knew him will never forget and love him. He was admired for his considerable talents and abilities, loved for his sense of humor, appreciated for his friendship, and respected for his gentlemanliness (The Salt Lake Tribune, A13).
Kenneth died peacefully at home on June 29, 2000, at the age of 90. USD students, the Utah Deaf community, and those who knew him will never forget and love him. He was admired for his considerable talents and abilities, loved for his sense of humor, appreciated for his friendship, and respected for his gentlemanliness (The Salt Lake Tribune, A13).
Kenneth C. Burdett Photo by Robert L. Bonnell
HISTORY OF THE NAMING OF THE SCHOOL
On August 23, 2011, the ASL/English Bilingual program at the Ogden Campus was officially named in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett, who had a long history with the Utah School for the Deaf (USD). Trena Roueche', a USD Associate Superintendent, had previously determined that the USD North Division program should have a different name. She and others in the program believed that using the name of a Deaf person would significantly help students establish a connection to Deaf culture and community. This, in turn, would help them develop a stronger identity as a Deaf person. Michelle Tanner, a Jean Massieu School teacher, referred Jodi B. Kinner, an amateur historian, to Trena to collect the history of the Utah School for the Deaf and biographies of prominent Deaf Utahns. Jodi shared the news with her father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth's, who was overjoyed at the prospect of naming the USD North Division after a Deaf person. "Why not Kenneth C. Burdett?" he inquired. Thrilled with this suggestion, Jodi immediately suggested that Trena put his name on the ballot.
Ronald & Joyanne Burdett and JoAnn, 2011
Continuing the naming process, three names were chosen from all the suggestions submitted to the USD community for a vote: Kenneth C. Burdett, Henry C. White, and Elizabeth Wood. These individuals were selected with input from USD's past and present administrators, parents, and students. Each was chosen for their contribution to the education of deaf students in Utah. Kenneth C. Burdett received the most votes overall. Kenneth Kinner is credited with his thoughtful recommendation because, over the years, he has contributed unselfish service to the USD. From 1934 to 1974, he worked for the school. He spent fifty-two years at USD as a student, boy's supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator. On September 29, 2011, the Utah School for the Deaf held a plaque hanging ceremony in memory of Kenneth C. Burdett. Ronald, his wife, Joyanne, and his sister, JoAnn, all shared touching memories of their father. The plague and a portrait of Kenneth are now on display in the hall at the Kenneth C. Burdett School for the Deaf. His name will live on in history (Kinner, UAD Bulletin, December 2011).
Notes
Kenneth L. Kinner, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 17, 2011.
Priscilla Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 7, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Ronald Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, May 13, 2009.
Ronald Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, September 29, 2011.
Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, October 27, 2011.
Priscilla Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 7, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Ronald Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, May 13, 2009.
Ronald Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, September 29, 2011.
Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, October 27, 2011.
References
“Convention Speaker, JJ.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 8, no. 3 (June 1973): 1.
“K.C. Burdett day at USD.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 9, No. 3 (June 1974): 1 & 3.
“Kenneth C. Burdett: B.A.”, 1934. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/47112
“Kenneth C. Burdett.” Utah Eagle, October 1963.
“Kenneth C. Burdett, “The Salt Lake Tribune, A13. 100E9A00D3D6A04E.
Kinner, Jodi. “History of the Naming of the School.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 35.07 (December 2011): 5.
Nelson, Boyd, E. The Utah Eagle, March 1943.
Obituary: Kenneth C. Burdett.
“Reception Will Honor Retiring Deaf Teacher.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, 11B, May 23, 1974.
Tegeder, R. “Of Interest.” The Utah Eagle (October 1959): 9.
“Two Awards Received by Teacher.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 19, 1976.
The Utahn Yearbook, 1974.
“K.C. Burdett day at USD.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 9, No. 3 (June 1974): 1 & 3.
“Kenneth C. Burdett: B.A.”, 1934. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/47112
“Kenneth C. Burdett.” Utah Eagle, October 1963.
“Kenneth C. Burdett, “The Salt Lake Tribune, A13. 100E9A00D3D6A04E.
Kinner, Jodi. “History of the Naming of the School.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 35.07 (December 2011): 5.
Nelson, Boyd, E. The Utah Eagle, March 1943.
Obituary: Kenneth C. Burdett.
“Reception Will Honor Retiring Deaf Teacher.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, 11B, May 23, 1974.
Tegeder, R. “Of Interest.” The Utah Eagle (October 1959): 9.
“Two Awards Received by Teacher.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 19, 1976.
The Utahn Yearbook, 1974.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the Gutsy Leader
In 1974, Robert G. Sanderson received his Doctor of Education from Brigham Young University. He earned the title of being Utah's first and only Deaf person, as well as the first USD graduate with a doctoral degree. From 1965 through 1985, Dr. Sanderson worked as the Division of Rehabilitation Services' first state coordinator serving the Deaf population. He was the first in Utah to provide Deaf adults with job training and placement. He was the first Deaf professional hired by the Utah State Board of Education for this coordinator position. In 1983, Dr. Sanderson became the first director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. In honor of his contributions to the Deaf community, the Utah Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville, Utah was renamed the "Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" on October 4, 2003.
Robert G. Sanderson, 1941 Gallaudet College Senior
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, also known as Bob and Sandie to his friends, was born on February 20, 1920, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to George and Fern Sanderson. As a young boy, he lived a carefree life as a country kid until he was 11 and got spinal meningitis (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, March 1992, p. 3). He survived the illness, but it made him lose his hearing. There was a national epidemic at the time. He felt lucky that he had survived the disease. During the interview with Rachel J. Trotter, a reporter for the Ogden Standard Examiner, Bob said, "It killed some kids, left some kids blind, and left some kids deaf." Trotter said that he and his younger sister, Barbara, who also lost her hearing to the same disease, were the only two deaf people in the town (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011). Their deafness was a shock to the family.
Robert G. Sanderson, 1936 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
In the March 1992 issue of the UAD Bulletin, Bob wrote that there was no school for the deaf in Las Vegas at the time, so he had to go back to the same eighth-grade grammar class he had been in before he got sick. His classmates tried to help, and so did his teacher. He got a lot of attention, but he still couldn't do well in school. In 1931, he and Barbara were sent to the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden on the advice of the teacher and the school principal. The state of Nevada paid for Bob and his sister to move to Ogden so they could go to school at USD (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011). In 1936, he got his degree from USD. He talked about how his time at USD turned him from a "wild young desert rat" into a well-behaved student (Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, March 1992, p. 3).
Robert (second left) and his Utah School for the Deaf friends
Bob had a long, impressive, and varied career. After he graduated from Gallaudet College, he moved back to his home state of Nevada, where he worked as an assistant assayer at a mine and mill in Pioche for a year and as a chemist/technologist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines, experimental plant in Boulder City, for five years from 1942 to 1946 (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011). He then moved to Ogden, Utah, in 1946, where he got a job as a draftsman at the Weber County Recorder's Office (Newman, 2006).
During an interview with Bob by Diane Urbani, a reporter for Deseret News, she said that he and his future wife, Mary, knew each other at the USD, but he didn't pay much attention to her because she was years younger. In 1946, friends set up a blind date for Bob at a convention of the Utah Association of the Deaf in Ogden. On this day, he and Mary Margaret Antonietti met, fell in love, and got married in Ogden on November 9, 1946 (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009). Dr. Sanderson said in his interview with Urbani, "She never let me forget that I ignored her when we were in school," he said with a smile (Urbani, Deseret News, October 4, 2003).
According to the November 2008 issue of the UAD Bulletin, Mary was involved in several organizations serving the Deaf and hard of hearing people. She was modest at work and with people, and she rarely criticized friends or colleagues (UAD Bulletin, November 2008).
Together, they raised two sons, Gary and Barry. Bob said that he owes his success to his wife and two boys, who had to put up with him being gone a lot as National Association of the Deaf president because of NAD/UAD work, his regular jobs, and his studies (Newman, 2006). During his evenings and weekends, he and Mary worked together to build their home in Roy. He used the help and advice of a carpenter. Even though he used his time wisely, it still took them two years to do it (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009).
During an interview with Bob by Diane Urbani, a reporter for Deseret News, she said that he and his future wife, Mary, knew each other at the USD, but he didn't pay much attention to her because she was years younger. In 1946, friends set up a blind date for Bob at a convention of the Utah Association of the Deaf in Ogden. On this day, he and Mary Margaret Antonietti met, fell in love, and got married in Ogden on November 9, 1946 (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009). Dr. Sanderson said in his interview with Urbani, "She never let me forget that I ignored her when we were in school," he said with a smile (Urbani, Deseret News, October 4, 2003).
According to the November 2008 issue of the UAD Bulletin, Mary was involved in several organizations serving the Deaf and hard of hearing people. She was modest at work and with people, and she rarely criticized friends or colleagues (UAD Bulletin, November 2008).
Together, they raised two sons, Gary and Barry. Bob said that he owes his success to his wife and two boys, who had to put up with him being gone a lot as National Association of the Deaf president because of NAD/UAD work, his regular jobs, and his studies (Newman, 2006). During his evenings and weekends, he and Mary worked together to build their home in Roy. He used the help and advice of a carpenter. Even though he used his time wisely, it still took them two years to do it (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009).
Mary Margaret Antonietti
Mary Antonietti & Robert G. Sanderson, 1953
After he graduated from USD, Bob was encouraged to go to college, so he went to Gallaudet College. As a prep student at Gallaudet, he wrote "Sandie '41" on a window panel in the dorm where preps lived at the time. During renovations in 1992, the pane of glass with his name on it was taken out, framed in the original wood from College Hall, and given to him. Bob then gave it to the Office of Alumni Relations to be displayed in "Ole Jim" (UAD Bulletin, February 1992).
As a student at Gallaudet, Dr. Sanderson was president of his class and was proud that his class published the first Tower Clock yearbook (Gallaudet's Daily Digest, Board of Trustees Emeritus Robert "Sandie" Sanderson passes away, 2012).
As a student at Gallaudet, Dr. Sanderson was president of his class and was proud that his class published the first Tower Clock yearbook (Gallaudet's Daily Digest, Board of Trustees Emeritus Robert "Sandie" Sanderson passes away, 2012).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, age 16, attending Gallaudet College's preparatory program, Fall 1936
Robert G. Sanderson, standing on the front row with other Gallaudet College students, 1940s
In 1941, he got a bachelor's degree from Gallaudet College with a major in general studies. When he moved back to Ogden, Utah, a friend set him up with a job as a dry cleaner. In an interview with Ms. Trotter in 2011, he said, "Imagine that I went to all that school and was a dry cleaner—but it opened up the world to me." He had other health setbacks and couldn't do his dry-cleaning work, so he went to work for the Weber County Recorder's Office (Trotter, The Ogden-Standard Examiner, January 2, 2011).
Robert G. Sanderson at Gallaudet College, late 1930s
He was later hired by the State Office of Education. Dr. Sanderson served as a statewide coordinator for Deaf adults in the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Utah State Office of Education and as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf from 1965 to 1985 (Newman, 2006).
According to Ms. Trotter, Bob eventually decided he wanted to learn more and took his wife and sons to California State University, Northridge, where he earned a master's degree in educational administration in 1965. He learned how to work and study while he was there (Trotter, Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011).
Dr. Ray Jones, professor, and director of the Leadership in the Area of the Deaf master's project at San Fernando Valley State College (later California State University - Northridge), followed up with some of the project's master's degree graduates, including Robert Sanderson. Dr. Jones persisted in encouraging the graduates to pursue doctorates.The constant pushing is what got Bob into the doctoral program at Brigham Young University in Provo (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009).
His feud with Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an ardent oral advocate, was another reason he decided to pursue his Ph.D. so that others could also listen to him (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2012, p. 3).
According to Ms. Trotter, Bob eventually decided he wanted to learn more and took his wife and sons to California State University, Northridge, where he earned a master's degree in educational administration in 1965. He learned how to work and study while he was there (Trotter, Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011).
Dr. Ray Jones, professor, and director of the Leadership in the Area of the Deaf master's project at San Fernando Valley State College (later California State University - Northridge), followed up with some of the project's master's degree graduates, including Robert Sanderson. Dr. Jones persisted in encouraging the graduates to pursue doctorates.The constant pushing is what got Bob into the doctoral program at Brigham Young University in Provo (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009).
His feud with Dr. Grant B. Bitter, an ardent oral advocate, was another reason he decided to pursue his Ph.D. so that others could also listen to him (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2012, p. 3).
Robert G. Sanderson is running for president at the 1964 National Association of the Deaf conference
Bob was president of the Utah Association of the Deaf from 1960 to 1963. From 1964 until 1968, he was the 17th president of the National Association of the Deaf. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, who was then president of the National Association of the Deaf, said that Dr. Sanderson was given the title of "President Emeritus" at the 1968 National Association of the Deaf conference in Las Vegas, which was hosted by the Utah Association for the Deaf. Bob went on to be President Emeritus for 44 years. She also said that as NAD president, Dr. Sanderson was known as one of the most powerful and inspiring advocates (NADmag, Spring 2012, p. 1). He was thought to be gutsy when challenged Byron B. Burnes' 18-year reign as NAD president and won in 1964 (In Memoriam: NAD President Emeritus Robert G. Sanderson). The March 2000 issue of the UAD Bulletin said that during Dr. Sanderson's time as NAD president, the NAD Home Office was moved from Berkeley, California, to Washington, D.C., in 1965. Even though it was financially risky, he had the full support of the officers. His presidency also led to the hiring of Frederick C. Schreiber as the first NAD executive director. Frederick started programs for young people, such as Junior NAD, Miss Deaf America, and Youth Leadership Camp. Bob was re-elected NAD president in 1966. He also served 14 years on the NAD Board of Directors, from 1969 to 1974 (In Memoriam: NAD President Emeritus Robert G. Sanderson).
Frederick C. Schreiber and Robert G. Sanderson in the 1960s
In 1965, a year after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law, our local notable Deaf leader, Bob, allowed Deaf women members to vote and Black Deaf individuals to join and vote (UAD History).
When Lawrence R. Newman interviewed Dr. Sanderson for the book Sands of Time: NAD Presidents 1880–2003, he said, "Today I believe the NAD is much stronger. The changes are positive. Our dream of having a permanent, stable Home Office came true. The NAD is financially viable."
At the time, there were no Deaf people with doctorate degrees in Utah. Bob decided to get more education and show what could be done. As a student at Brigham Young University, he commuted from Roy to Provo while working full-time. In 1974, he became the first Deaf person at BYU and in Utah to get a Doctor of Education degree. Bob was also the first and only Deaf graduate of USD and the only deaf Utahn to earn a doctorate (Deseret News, September 26, 2003).
When Lawrence R. Newman interviewed Dr. Sanderson for the book Sands of Time: NAD Presidents 1880–2003, he said, "Today I believe the NAD is much stronger. The changes are positive. Our dream of having a permanent, stable Home Office came true. The NAD is financially viable."
At the time, there were no Deaf people with doctorate degrees in Utah. Bob decided to get more education and show what could be done. As a student at Brigham Young University, he commuted from Roy to Provo while working full-time. In 1974, he became the first Deaf person at BYU and in Utah to get a Doctor of Education degree. Bob was also the first and only Deaf graduate of USD and the only deaf Utahn to earn a doctorate (Deseret News, September 26, 2003).
Robert G. Sanderson, UAD Bulletin, Winter 1965
Dr. Sanderson was named the first state coordinator of services for Deaf people in the United States on November 16, 1965 (Sanderson, 2004). He was a leader and a pioneer in setting up job training and jobs in Utah (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011). During his interview with Ms. Trotter, he told her that his new job as a coordinator became his passion. When Bob started, only eleven other people were in the program. After just a few short years, there were 200. He was busy, but he was also learning a lot. First, he saw that the deaf needed interpreters to do well, so he held workshops all over the United States to find interpreters. He found that the best candidates were children who could hear but whose parents could not. His next goal was to get people to understand that American sign language was a natural language with syntax and grammar that should be taught in college so that deaf people could have more opportunities in life. That also became his passion (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011). Over the years, Dr. Sanderson became a "rehab man," a counselor, a coordinator, and a director. He was known as the "Father of Vocational Rehabilitation."
According to the Deseret News, Dr. Sanderson was appointed the first director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in January 1983. He was also the first Deaf person the Utah State Board of Education hired for this position. He was a leader in services for Deaf adults in Utah. He worked on behalf of Deaf and hard of hearing Utahns for over 40 years. Many of the services offered to the Deaf community today came from his ideas (September 26, 2003). Trotter reported that Bob said that many of his successes in life were thanks to friends who opened doors for him (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011).
According to the Deseret News, Dr. Sanderson was appointed the first director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in January 1983. He was also the first Deaf person the Utah State Board of Education hired for this position. He was a leader in services for Deaf adults in Utah. He worked on behalf of Deaf and hard of hearing Utahns for over 40 years. Many of the services offered to the Deaf community today came from his ideas (September 26, 2003). Trotter reported that Bob said that many of his successes in life were thanks to friends who opened doors for him (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011).
Robert Sanderson, new National Association of the Deaf President receives congratulations at dinner with his friends in the Ramada Inn, July 30, 1964
The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1964
Frederick C. Schreiber presenting gravel to new NAD president, Robert G. Sanderson, 1968. Photo courtesy of Jerome D. Schein
Lawrence R. Newman shared in his book Sands of Time: NAD Presidents 1880–2003 that Dr. Sanderson had a second job teaching American Sign Language and the social, psychological, and cultural aspects of deafness. He was an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders at the University of Utah from 1978 to 1985. From 1985 to 1986, he was a part-time instructor in the Department of Communication Disorder at Utah State University. Bob also started teaching part-time for the Department of Health, Recreation, and Leisure at the University of Utah. Lastly, he was an adjunct instructor for the Division of Continuing Education at Weber State University. After he retired, Bob still found time to teach sign language occasionally at local high schools (Newman, 2006).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Gallaudet Powrie V. Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies. On The Green, November 23, 1981
When Ms. Trotter interviewed Dr. Sanderson in 2011 for the Ogden Standard-Examiner, he said the ASL programs for finding and using interpreters in college were getting national attention. As a result, colleges and universities started taking up his programs. That gave him a lot of joy. He said, "By the year 2000, colleges and universities all over the United States finally realized [ASL] sign language is a real language" (Trotter, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011).
Bob worked at Gallaudet College (later University) in many aspects. He was a founding member of the Gallaudet College Board of Fellows, created in 1970 as an advisory group. He stayed on the board until 1982. He was a member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1994 and was called a trustee emeritus. When he died in 2012, his last job was Board of Trustees Emeritus. He was also chosen as a professor at Gallaudet's prestigious Powrie Vaux Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies from 1981 to 1982.
Bob worked at Gallaudet College (later University) in many aspects. He was a founding member of the Gallaudet College Board of Fellows, created in 1970 as an advisory group. He stayed on the board until 1982. He was a member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1994 and was called a trustee emeritus. When he died in 2012, his last job was Board of Trustees Emeritus. He was also chosen as a professor at Gallaudet's prestigious Powrie Vaux Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies from 1981 to 1982.
Dr. Sanderson, a member of Gallaudet University Board of Trustees
During the Deaf President Now Protest at Gallaudet University in 1988, Dr. Sanderson supported a Deaf president for the university and was against choosing a hearing president. Dr. I. King Jordan was eventually hired as the first president who was deaf (UAD Bulletin, April 1988).
Dr. Sanderson was known both locally and nationally. With his advanced education and successful careers before and after he retired in 1985, he shared his knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition, he gave generously of his time and energy to serve as an officer or board member in the following organizations:
Dr. Sanderson also represented the Deaf community on a number of committees.
Dr. Sanderson was known both locally and nationally. With his advanced education and successful careers before and after he retired in 1985, he shared his knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition, he gave generously of his time and energy to serve as an officer or board member in the following organizations:
- National Association of the Deaf, President Emeritus
- National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, President Emeritus
- Utah Association for the Deaf, President Emeritus
- Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- National Rehabilitation Association, Utah Chapter
- American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf, National Advisory Group
- Gallaudet College Board of Fellows
- Gallaudet University Board of Trustees
- University of California San Francisco, National Advisory Committee, Center on Deafness,
- Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Institutional Council
- 2007 Winter Deaflympics, Utah, board member
Dr. Sanderson also represented the Deaf community on a number of committees.
- Utah Relay System for the Deaf Advisory Committee
- Utah State Interpreter Certification Board
- Utah State Board of Education Task Force to study Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
- UAD Bulletin, editorial subcommittee of the monthly UAD Bulletin
- Utah Association for the Deaf Task Force
- Davis Applied Technology College, Advisory Committee for the development of an interpreter training program
Dr. Sanderson shakes hand with US President Bill Clinton at the 1994 Gallaudet University graduation
In 1979, Dr. Sanderson received the first Golden Hand Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD Bulletin, July 1979). In 1999, he also got the Presidential Award for his long service, commitment, and loyalty to the same organization (UAD Bulletin, June 1999).
After his retirement in 1985, Bob did not just sit around and do nothing. He worked with the Utah Relay System, the Utah Mentor Project, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Institutional Council, the Utah State Interpreter Certification Board, and more (UAD Bulletin, July 2006).
After his retirement in 1985, Bob did not just sit around and do nothing. He worked with the Utah Relay System, the Utah Mentor Project, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Institutional Council, the Utah State Interpreter Certification Board, and more (UAD Bulletin, July 2006).
Robert G. Sanderson as a young man
According to the "History of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center," on October 4, 2003, the Utah Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville was renamed the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to honor Dr. Robert G. Sanderson's work on behalf of the Deaf community (Deseret News, September 26, 2003). On March 9, 2004, Dr. Sanderson released a book titled A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Lawrence R. Newman said Dr. Sanderson was "caring and diplomatic, a good listener, willing to help and share crucial parts of his wide range of rich and varied experience." He has always advocated for the deaf, nationally and locally" (Newman, 2006).
During the 2003 interview, Diane Urbani said Dr. Sanderson had a long list of public achievements, but he was most proud of his ones. He said, "I have two great sons, two great grandchildren, and a good wife. What more can a man want?" (The Deseret News, October 4, 2003).
Lawrence R. Newman said Dr. Sanderson was "caring and diplomatic, a good listener, willing to help and share crucial parts of his wide range of rich and varied experience." He has always advocated for the deaf, nationally and locally" (Newman, 2006).
During the 2003 interview, Diane Urbani said Dr. Sanderson had a long list of public achievements, but he was most proud of his ones. He said, "I have two great sons, two great grandchildren, and a good wife. What more can a man want?" (The Deseret News, October 4, 2003).
Dr. Sanderson receives congratulations from members of the Deaf Community, October 4, 2003
In 2007, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson was invited to serve on the 16th Winter Deaflympics Board of Directors.
In 2010, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees voted to give Dr. Sanderson an honorary doctorate for his more than 60 years of leadership and commitment leadership in the Deaf community in Utah and all over the country. He was given the award on May 14 at the 141st Gallaudet University Commencement (UAD Bulletin, June 2010). He was devoted to the Deaf community on a national and local level for most of his life.
Dr. Sanderson was a living example of what he said: “Deafness per se does not prevent a person from accomplishing what he sets out to do if he really wants to do it” (UAD Bulletin, March 2000, p.1).
In 2010, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees voted to give Dr. Sanderson an honorary doctorate for his more than 60 years of leadership and commitment leadership in the Deaf community in Utah and all over the country. He was given the award on May 14 at the 141st Gallaudet University Commencement (UAD Bulletin, June 2010). He was devoted to the Deaf community on a national and local level for most of his life.
Dr. Sanderson was a living example of what he said: “Deafness per se does not prevent a person from accomplishing what he sets out to do if he really wants to do it” (UAD Bulletin, March 2000, p.1).
In his spare time, Bob liked working with his hands. He built the family home in Roy, from drawing the plans to making the beautiful knotty pine cabinets. He also liked fishing with his grandson and having long, lively political discussions with his Deaf friends (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009).
On February 25, 2012, Dr. Sanderson passed away at 92, five days after his 92nd birthday. He had a hematoma (bleeding) in his brain from two separate falls. While he was in the hospital, Marilyn Call, the director of the Sanderson Community Center, went to see him and wrote a message on his whiteboard for the nurses taking care of him. She told them, "Bob is a giant of a man whose advocacy has helped change the world for thousands of Deaf people. This man is so special he has a great big community center named for him in SLC" (Marilyn Call, personal communication, February 23, 2012).
Marilyn sat in his room for a few quiet moments and thought about how upset his mother must have been when he and his sister, Barbara, became deaf as kids because of illness. Then she realized that things happen for a reason, and we need to trust that God has a plan for each of us. What if Bob hadn't become deaf? Would he have been happy with an ordinary life instead of a life of greatness? What if his parents didn't want him to learn sign language and embrace the Deaf community? Would he have turned into a lonely introvert? (Marilyn Call, personal communication, February 23, 2012).
On February 25, 2012, Dr. Sanderson passed away at 92, five days after his 92nd birthday. He had a hematoma (bleeding) in his brain from two separate falls. While he was in the hospital, Marilyn Call, the director of the Sanderson Community Center, went to see him and wrote a message on his whiteboard for the nurses taking care of him. She told them, "Bob is a giant of a man whose advocacy has helped change the world for thousands of Deaf people. This man is so special he has a great big community center named for him in SLC" (Marilyn Call, personal communication, February 23, 2012).
Marilyn sat in his room for a few quiet moments and thought about how upset his mother must have been when he and his sister, Barbara, became deaf as kids because of illness. Then she realized that things happen for a reason, and we need to trust that God has a plan for each of us. What if Bob hadn't become deaf? Would he have been happy with an ordinary life instead of a life of greatness? What if his parents didn't want him to learn sign language and embrace the Deaf community? Would he have turned into a lonely introvert? (Marilyn Call, personal communication, February 23, 2012).
Dr. Sanderson, Rehabilitation Coordinator The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
The March 2012 UAD Bulletin emphasized that Dr. Sanderson had been a strong advocate for the state's Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens for more than 60 years. His last job was as president emeritus of the Utah Association for the Deaf, which ended his advocacy for the Utah Deaf community. He served the association in many ways, including as president. Through his work with the association and with other local Deaf leaders, he started a decades-long effort to make sure that Utah's Deaf people got the same services as hearing people.
His last job was as president emeritus of the National Association of the Deaf, which he held until he died. From the "In Memoriam: NAD President Emeritus Robert G. Sanderson" webpage, as stated below:
"He dedicated his entire life to the advancement of the American Deaf community nationally as well as in his home state of Utah."
His last job was as president emeritus of the National Association of the Deaf, which he held until he died. From the "In Memoriam: NAD President Emeritus Robert G. Sanderson" webpage, as stated below:
"He dedicated his entire life to the advancement of the American Deaf community nationally as well as in his home state of Utah."
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins said, "NAD President Emeritus Robert G. "Sandie" Sanderson was a true giant who humnly walked with anyone who shared his passion for hard work, volunteerism, and dedication to making our lives better. People who look at his career and civic work would be amazed at how much he really did. We thank the state of Utah for letting us share in his legacy of tireless advocacy on behalf of the American deaf and hard of hearing community" (In Memoriam: NAD President Emeritus Robert G. Sanderson).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, 1960s
Dr. Sanderson is survived by his son Barry and his wife Teresa, his granddaughter McKalle and her fiancée Ty Dahl, and his grandson Rob and his wife, Nicole. Mary, his wife of 62 years, predeceased on October 6, 2008, and his oldest son, Gary, predeceased on May 12, 2011. A memorial service was held on March 31 at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (UAD Bulletin, March 2012). In conclusion, Dr. Sanderson was a true giant of a man for all he did for the Deaf community. The state of Utah is incredibly fortunate to be recognized for his tireless dedication, exceptional leadership, and outstanding contributions to the local and national Deaf community. In addition, the state of Utah is proud to name the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing after Dr. Sanderson. His name will always be remembered.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, 1980s
Notes
Marilyn Call, e-mail message to the Utah Association of the Deaf, February 23, 2012.
Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009.
Robert G. Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Robert G. Sanderson, private interview with Valerie Kinney, June 10, 2009.
Robert G. Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
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Newman, Lawrence R. Sands of Time: NAD Presidents 1880-2003. Silver Spring, Maryland: National Association of the Deaf, 2006.
“Obituaries.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 32.06 (November 2008): 3.
“Old Dormitory at Gallaudet Uncovers Surprises.” UAD Bulletin, v. 15, no. 9 (February 1992). 1.
“President’s Awards.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 23.2 (June 1999): 1.
Sanderson, R.G. “Mainstreaming Was Not the Answer for ALL Deaf Children.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 10 (March 1992): 3.
“Sanderson deserves his due.” Deseret News, September 26, 2003.
Sanderson, Robert. G. “A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” March 9, 2004.
Scoggins, B.B. “Handling Down the Presidential Batons.” NADmag, Vol. 11, Issue 1 (Spring 2012): 1 & 19.
“Selection of New President Sets Off Nationwide Protest.” UAD Bulletin, vol, 11, no. 11 (April 1988): 2.
Stewart, Gene. “Robert G. Sanderson – “Sandie.” DSDHH Newsletter (April 2012): 2-3.
“To the Prospective UAD Members.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 2 (July 1979): 7.
Trotter, R. J. “Dr. Sanderson: An advocate for the deaf.” Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 2, 2011.
Urbani, Diane. “Center for deaf renamed after first director.” Deseret News, October 4, 2003.
“Utah wins Golden Rose Award.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 30.2 (July 2006): 1.
Joseph B. Burnett, the Ambitious Leader
Joseph B. Burnett was a bright student whose father taught him to read at a young age. In 1918, when he was five years old, his father enrolled him at the Utah School for the Deaf. In 1933, he departed for Gallaudet College without finishing his high school courses after passing the college admission examination. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet College in 1937 and worked as an engineer. In 1975, Joseph is believed to have been the first Deaf person in Utah to receive a cochlear implant.
Joseph B. Burdett
Joseph Ball Burnett was born on January 8, 1913, in Farr West, Utah, to James M. Burnett and Lizzie May Ball. Joseph was born deaf. Lizzie, his mother, died soon after. When his father married Ann, she raised Joseph (Obituary of Joseph B. Burnett). He went by the name "Joe." His father taught him to read at a young age, and he was brilliant. Joe's father sent him to the Utah School for the Deaf when he was five years old in 1918. After passing the admission exam in 1933, Joe left for Gallaudet College without finishing his high school education. In college, he received a diploma from the Utah School for the Deaf (Obituary of Joseph B. Burnett; LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009). His Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet College was awarded to him in 1937 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1959).
Joseph B. Burnett @ FamilySearch.org
Joseph was inducted into the Gallaudet University Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance in all sports. He was a member of the Kappa Gamma fraternity. During his time at Gallaudet, he participated in basketball and track and field. Joe shattered a 25-year-old record (Obituary of Joseph B. Burnett; LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009). He quoted:
"The root of ambition is in every man; but it riseth not in all' fear keepeth it down in some; in many it is suppressed by modesty." – Unknown.
"The root of ambition is in every man; but it riseth not in all' fear keepeth it down in some; in many it is suppressed by modesty." – Unknown.
Joseph B. Burnett, Gallaudet University Athletic Hall of Fame, 1995 @ FamilySearch.org
Joe shared in the Utah Eagle, the magazine of the Utah School for the Deaf (USD), that he had a burning desire to become an outstanding track star while attending Gallaudet College. He aimed to break the mile run world record. He put in countless miles of preparation and competition (college track meets, regional Olympic track tryouts), but it did not work out. Eventually, he discovered other goals that were at least as valuable as his (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
Joseph B. Burnett, a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity @ FamilySearch.org
Joseph B. Burnett joins the Gallaudet track squad and basketball team
Joe returned to Ogden, Utah, after graduating from Gallaudet College. His life was complicated between 1937 and 1942 by unrealistic expectations, setbacks, apparent justifications, financial difficulties, and preconceived notions about himself. The widely held belief among "psychologists," "educators" of the deaf, and supporters of oral methods is that the deaf cannot succeed in professions other than teaching because they are unable to read lips and speak clearly was one such concept (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2). Joe taught history and geography at the Utah School for the Deaf for two years, from 1937 to 1939. After that, he worked as a canning factory worker, fruit picker, farm worker, printer, linotype operator, and Deaf youth supervisor. He was also unemployed. Nonetheless, he set his career goals (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
During World War II, Joseph was given a job as a property and supply clerk at Hill Air Force Base with a "assist" from the military chief of the supply division, who had once played football with the Gallaudet College team. Although the personnel officer rejected Joe's application, he immediately hired him. After a year as a clerk, he asked to be reassigned as a drafter. After convincing the placement counselor that he had taken a drawing class at Gallaudet College and a refresher course at Weber College, he went to the Maintenance Engineering Directorate. He was promoted every six months until he became a senior drafter. As a result, he learned how to communicate with engineers and draftspeople. He soon realized he wanted to be an engineer (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
During World War II, Joseph was given a job as a property and supply clerk at Hill Air Force Base with a "assist" from the military chief of the supply division, who had once played football with the Gallaudet College team. Although the personnel officer rejected Joe's application, he immediately hired him. After a year as a clerk, he asked to be reassigned as a drafter. After convincing the placement counselor that he had taken a drawing class at Gallaudet College and a refresher course at Weber College, he went to the Maintenance Engineering Directorate. He was promoted every six months until he became a senior drafter. As a result, he learned how to communicate with engineers and draftspeople. He soon realized he wanted to be an engineer (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
Joseph B. Burnett teaches a lesson in family legal problems. Attendance has averaged nearly 40, with many participating in the 80-mile round trip from Ogden each week. The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1964
Joe attended Weber College's night engineering program from 1942 to 1946 (The Utah Eagle, January 1954). He was "bumped" from his job due to a force reduction following World War II (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955).
On September 13, 1944, he married LaVerne Petersen at the Logan Temple (Obituary of Joseph B. Burnett).
In the spring of 1946, he was hired as a drafter by the Ogden City Engineering Department, where he studied municipal engineering under the supervision of Deaf engineer Ned C. Wheeler. He remained with this division until the fall of 1947. Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
Joe studied engineering at the University of Utah for two years while stationed at Hill Field Air Force Base, graduating with a certificate in the field.
On September 13, 1944, he married LaVerne Petersen at the Logan Temple (Obituary of Joseph B. Burnett).
In the spring of 1946, he was hired as a drafter by the Ogden City Engineering Department, where he studied municipal engineering under the supervision of Deaf engineer Ned C. Wheeler. He remained with this division until the fall of 1947. Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2).
Joe studied engineering at the University of Utah for two years while stationed at Hill Field Air Force Base, graduating with a certificate in the field.
Joseph Burnett and LaVern Petersen @ FamilySerach.oorg
Joe recalled receiving a telegram from the United States Bureau of Mines' Oil Shale Experimental Station in Rifle, Colorado, informing him that his application for a job as an engineering draftsman had been approved. His jaw dropped as he gazed at the atlas. Rifle, located in the Rocky Mountains 200 miles west of Denver, had a population of only 2,000 people. He wondered about the social life. He expected it to lead to something more valuable. His wife, LaVerne, and he decided to move to Rifle (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 2). In Colorado, he obtained a professional engineer's license (LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009).
Joe described how the "sink or swim" approach allowed him to gain progressive experience in technical engineering, demonstrating an understanding of engineering comparable to that gained by completing a full four-year college engineering curriculum. He eventually achieved his goal with his promotion to mechanical engineer and subsequent redeployment to the Design Section. He held that position for over two years (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 3).
Joe described how the "sink or swim" approach allowed him to gain progressive experience in technical engineering, demonstrating an understanding of engineering comparable to that gained by completing a full four-year college engineering curriculum. He eventually achieved his goal with his promotion to mechanical engineer and subsequent redeployment to the Design Section. He held that position for over two years (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 3).
Joseph B. Burdett, Industrial Engineer. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
In the spring of 1952, Joe applied for a promotion and a transfer. He obtained both and returned to Hill Air Force Base, where he had previously lived. At Hill Air Force Base, he worked as an industrial engineer for the Plant Engineering Division (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 3).
Some tasks, according to Joe, can be complex for people who can hear, but he added that being deaf did not prevent him from performing his duties. He reflected his performance was remarkable. He solved problems as an industrial engineer in the Layout and Facilities Branch of the Industrial Engineering Division of Maintenance at Hill Air Force Base in Utah using common sense and astute sketching skills (The Utah Eagle, January 1954). Joe had difficulty reading lips and had poor speech quality. He followed a protocol in which he informed them of his hearing loss and handed them a pencil and notepad. They came to understand him better as he became more friendly with them. He wrote down all the facts to avoid any future misunderstandings and even kept some of them in his file (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955).
Some tasks, according to Joe, can be complex for people who can hear, but he added that being deaf did not prevent him from performing his duties. He reflected his performance was remarkable. He solved problems as an industrial engineer in the Layout and Facilities Branch of the Industrial Engineering Division of Maintenance at Hill Air Force Base in Utah using common sense and astute sketching skills (The Utah Eagle, January 1954). Joe had difficulty reading lips and had poor speech quality. He followed a protocol in which he informed them of his hearing loss and handed them a pencil and notepad. They came to understand him better as he became more friendly with them. He wrote down all the facts to avoid any future misunderstandings and even kept some of them in his file (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955).
Joseph B. Burnett working as an industrial engineer at Hill Air Force Base, 1955. The Utah Eagle, April 1955
Joe's second-best method of communication was sketching. He admitted that, in addition to being an illustrator, he was also an amateur cartoonist. He could also quickly sketch. An illustration representing an idea or a group of related ideas could help forepersons, designers, drafters, and maintenance staff understand the core idea. The idea, or a portion of it, can be communicated in a well-written treatise, verbally, or in writing in dialogue. Individuals may still struggle to understand the phraseology. "A picture is worth a thousand words," he said. Most people can communicate through pictures and sketches, so understanding is less important (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 4).
Following a successful operation in 1975, Joe is believed to have been the first in Utah to receive a cochlear implant. The House Hearing Institute of California and the University of Utah Biomedical Center collaborated to launch the cochlear implant program (Nelson, The Salt Lake Tribune, April 27, 1975; UAD Bulletin, June 1975; LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009).
Following a successful operation in 1975, Joe is believed to have been the first in Utah to receive a cochlear implant. The House Hearing Institute of California and the University of Utah Biomedical Center collaborated to launch the cochlear implant program (Nelson, The Salt Lake Tribune, April 27, 1975; UAD Bulletin, June 1975; LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009).
Joseph B. Burnett, 62 getting his cochlear implant. UAD Bulletin, June 1975
Joe passed away on March 24, 1989. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Burnett of Ogden, and his two sons, Michael and Byron. Vern, a son, is buried next to his father (LaVerne Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009).
Joe concluded, "Let us remember that it is not deafness, but one's attitude toward it, that can limit one's success in work and enjoyment of life" (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 4).
Joe concluded, "Let us remember that it is not deafness, but one's attitude toward it, that can limit one's success in work and enjoyment of life" (Burnett, The Utah Eagle, April 1955, p. 4).
Jospeh B. Burnett, engineer @ FamilySearch.org
Notes
LaVern Burnett, private interview with Valerie Kinney, January 28, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
References
Burnett, J. “Speaking as a Deaf Engineer.” The Utah Eagle: Special Alumni Issue (April 1955): 2-4.
“Commendation Letter Received by Maintenance Industrial Engineer.” The Utah Eagle, vol. 65, no. 4 (January 1954): 6-7.
Joseph Burnett: B.A., 1937. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/47271
“‘Joe, ’62, hears first time sound by ‘plugging into’ a U. computer.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 10, No 2 (June 1975): 4.
Nelson, A. “Joe’ 62, hears his first sound by ‘plugging into’ a U. computer.” The Salt Lake Tribune, April 25, 1975.
Obituary: Joseph B. Burnett.
“Commendation Letter Received by Maintenance Industrial Engineer.” The Utah Eagle, vol. 65, no. 4 (January 1954): 6-7.
Joseph Burnett: B.A., 1937. Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1957. http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/47271
“‘Joe, ’62, hears first time sound by ‘plugging into’ a U. computer.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 10, No 2 (June 1975): 4.
Nelson, A. “Joe’ 62, hears his first sound by ‘plugging into’ a U. computer.” The Salt Lake Tribune, April 25, 1975.
Obituary: Joseph B. Burnett.
W. David Mortensen, the Fearless Leader
W. David Mortensen earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Utah in 1976, and a master's degree in social work in 1982. He was the first Deaf certified social worker in Utah and worked at Valley Mental Health as a deaf counselor. He worked at the Newspaper Agency Corporation at night. In the Utah Association of the Deaf, David was a fearless, ambitious and persistent leader. Despite his busy professional and family schedules, he found time to serve as president for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997.No one has ever beaten his record, and he is the association's longest-serving president. David is well recognized for his work as a political activist, persuading politicians to enact laws, organizing rallies for issues, writing news stories, and explaining the Deaf community's concerns.
W. David Mortensen was born in Provo, Utah, on June 3, 1931. He was the fifth of Neve Mortensen and Louie Elizabeth Allred's five children. He is commonly referred to as "Dave" (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, April 17, 2009, personal communication).
In the fall of 1935, Dave and his family came down with scarlet fever, except for his older sister, brother, and father, who were away on business. Louie Mortensen and his children were each locked in their respective bedrooms. Scarlet fever was a contagious disease common among children at the time. Dave did not recover well; complications developed, there was swelling behind his ear where the mastoid bones were, and he had surgery to remove the bones. He recovered well, but the following fall, he became ill again, and the doctors informed the mother that if her son survived the night, it would be a miracle, not medical prowess. He had surgery again for sinus thrombosis, a severe complication. He was taken to the Clark Clinic in Provo because no hospital was nearby. The only hospital was in Salt Lake City. It was too dangerous to transport Dave to the Salt Lake City hospital (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Dave's mother cleaned the Clark Clinic to help pay for his surgery. Because there were no "miracle drugs," the entire family had to rely on prayers that Dave's life would be spared. For quite some time, his mother and Dave's "Aunt" Alta spent every hour cleaning out his throat, removing phlegm or mucus. Finally, prayers were answered when Dave was declared to be on the mend. It wasn't until later in the spring of 1937 that his mother noticed Dave didn't turn around when he was called. She suspected he was gradually losing his hearing, but that didn't stop him from becoming an expert lip reader. Because of his lip-reading abilities, the family would not have known he was losing hearing. He spoke very well until his mother called him, and he did not turn around (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
In the fall of 1935, Dave and his family came down with scarlet fever, except for his older sister, brother, and father, who were away on business. Louie Mortensen and his children were each locked in their respective bedrooms. Scarlet fever was a contagious disease common among children at the time. Dave did not recover well; complications developed, there was swelling behind his ear where the mastoid bones were, and he had surgery to remove the bones. He recovered well, but the following fall, he became ill again, and the doctors informed the mother that if her son survived the night, it would be a miracle, not medical prowess. He had surgery again for sinus thrombosis, a severe complication. He was taken to the Clark Clinic in Provo because no hospital was nearby. The only hospital was in Salt Lake City. It was too dangerous to transport Dave to the Salt Lake City hospital (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Dave's mother cleaned the Clark Clinic to help pay for his surgery. Because there were no "miracle drugs," the entire family had to rely on prayers that Dave's life would be spared. For quite some time, his mother and Dave's "Aunt" Alta spent every hour cleaning out his throat, removing phlegm or mucus. Finally, prayers were answered when Dave was declared to be on the mend. It wasn't until later in the spring of 1937 that his mother noticed Dave didn't turn around when he was called. She suspected he was gradually losing his hearing, but that didn't stop him from becoming an expert lip reader. Because of his lip-reading abilities, the family would not have known he was losing hearing. He spoke very well until his mother called him, and he did not turn around (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Neve Mortensen (Father), Kent, Don and W. David Mortensen, age 6
Although Dave spoke well, he felt he didn't notice the difference because he understood his family quite well through lip reading. He didn't think he was any different from his family. His brother and sister had to demonstrate his deafness, so one stood behind him and the other in front and asked what the one behind was saying. That's when he realized he was deaf from scarlet fever and mastoid infection (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Peggy McEntee, a Deseret News reporter who spoke with Dave, shared that he attended Joaquin Elementary School in his early years. From his perspective, his involvement with the school was "normal," to say the least. He got along well with his classmates because he could lip-read and speak fluently. His teacher used to tell him to draw pictures while the rest of the class listened to music. Dave believed he was the only deaf person on the planet. He didn't realize he was deaf until he was eight. He did exceptionally well in public school but frequently felt lost in class, unable to follow the teacher or participate in the same programs as hearing children (Deseret News, July 26, 1986).
Peggy McEntee, a Deseret News reporter who spoke with Dave, shared that he attended Joaquin Elementary School in his early years. From his perspective, his involvement with the school was "normal," to say the least. He got along well with his classmates because he could lip-read and speak fluently. His teacher used to tell him to draw pictures while the rest of the class listened to music. Dave believed he was the only deaf person on the planet. He didn't realize he was deaf until he was eight. He did exceptionally well in public school but frequently felt lost in class, unable to follow the teacher or participate in the same programs as hearing children (Deseret News, July 26, 1986).
W. David Mortensen's last year at Joaquin Elementary School. He was 10 years old at the time
Peggy McEntee pointed out that in 1941, a state law was passed requiring hearing tests in all public schools. Deaf students were to attend the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) (Deseret News, July 26, 1986). Dave was one of them, having been transferred to that school when he was 11 in the fall of 1938. For the first time, he learned sign language and met Deaf teachers who became his role models. When he first arrived at USD, he went through an "identity crisis" (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). According to the reporter, Dave had no idea there were other Deaf people like him (Deseret News, July 26, 1986). With time, he discovered who he was as a Deaf person and developed a talent as an advocate for the Utah Deaf community. Since then, he has been heavily involved in the Utah Deaf community (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
McEntee noted that Dave quickly rose to the top of his class at the Utah School for the Deaf (Deseret News, July 26, 1986). He was initially placed in the fifth-year class (equivalent to third grade) with the same age group. After a month, he was moved to fifth grade with students his age. He excelled academically. He became an avid reader after starting kindergarten at a public school. Dave loved books and would take them home from the library to read. He had a habit of forgetting to return books to the library. Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
McEntee noted that Dave quickly rose to the top of his class at the Utah School for the Deaf (Deseret News, July 26, 1986). He was initially placed in the fifth-year class (equivalent to third grade) with the same age group. After a month, he was moved to fifth grade with students his age. He excelled academically. He became an avid reader after starting kindergarten at a public school. Dave loved books and would take them home from the library to read. He had a habit of forgetting to return books to the library. Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
W. David Mortensen sitting in front of the Main Building of the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah
Dave joined the Park Literary Society and the Arthur Wenger Athletic Association while attending USD. After graduating from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1949, he majored in journalism at Brigham Young University. He was also employed by the BYU Press at the time. Dave dropped out of BYU after two years because there were so few Deaf students in Provo, Utah. He was also lonely and yearned to interact with other Deaf people. He had many hearing friends, but they didn't motivate him (personal communication, April 17, 2009, Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen).
The Park Literary Society of the Utah School for the Deaf (L-R). Secretary Peter Green, Vice-President Jerry Westberg, and President W. David Mortensen
Written by W. David Mortensen. the 1949 Utahan
Dave recalled an incident with a mini-tractor at the Utah School for the Deaf. He wanted to drive the mini-tractor, so he went to the shed where it was stored and drove it around. When he came to a steep incline, he used the wrong gear, and the mini-tractor went over the pitch, throwing him off. He was swollen and bruised. Dr. Boyd Nelson, the school superintendent, wrote Dave's father a letter threatening to expel his son. So his father took the note to a judge friend, and the judge wrote to Dr. Boyd Nelson, telling him that he couldn't do that because the school was responsible for Dave, and they failed that responsibility. He was about 15 or 16 years old (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
W. David Mortensen @ FamilySearch.org
Another memory from the summer of 1947 is Dave learning to embroider because there were no Deaf peers in Provo with whom he could socialize. He made a lovely work that he entered at the Utah State Fair and won first place (the embroidery piece is in an antique frame and hangs on Kristi's living room wall next to the front door) (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
W. David Mortensen, 1949 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Dave moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952, where there was a large Deaf community. He got a job at an engraving company and stayed there until 1954, when he married. On June 15, David and Shanna Christiansen, a 1954 USD alumnus, married in the Salt Lake Temple. Following that, he took a job on the night shift at the Newspaper Agency Corporation, publisher of the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News newspapers (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Shanna Christiansen & W. David Mortensen, June 15, 1954
Dave and Shanna had five children between 1956 and 1966: Kevin David, Kristi Lee, Karin Jane, Kent Ross, and Kory Neve. Karin died in 1989 from an epileptic seizure. Their daughter, Kristi, was deaf, just like her parent. Her deafness was unknown until Grandma Mortensen and Aunt Mary informed Dave and Shanna that there was some speculation that Kristi was losing her hearing. In June 1961, Dave and Shanna took her to the University of Utah for a hearing test with audiologist Jim Hilber, and it was determined she had some hearing loss but was not completely deaf. Dave sobbed when he learned of his daughter's hearing loss, not because she was deaf but because of the poor education where she could receive at the Utah School for the Deaf. The University of Utah tests were reported to USD at this time. Two months later, four USD representatives came to their home and told Dave and Shanna they should send her to the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah. Dave declined because there was oral and sign language segregation on that campus. At the age of four, he kept her at home. He enrolled her in the oral program at Riley School in Salt Lake City (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Ron Nelson & Kristi Mortensen
Dave decided to continue his education and enrolled at the University of Utah in 1970, majoring in sociology with the assistance of his interpreter, Beth Ann Campbell, who was paid by Vocational Rehabilitation. At the same time, he continued to work the night shift at the Newspaper Agency Corporation. He was offered a job as a counselor at Valley Mental Health in 1974, where he worked during the day while attending university. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Certificate in Social Work in 1976. Despite juggling work, family, church, and civic responsibilities, Dave became the first Deaf person in Utah to be accredited as a social worker (UAD Bulletin, July 1976). He was also the first Deaf person to graduate from the University of Utah with a master's degree in social work (Green, Fox13, March 29, 2014).
Dave returned to the University of Utah in 1980 to pursue his Master's degree in social work while working as a counselor for the Deaf community at Valley Mental Health during the day and night shifts at NAC. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1982 and became a licensed clinical social worker (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave returned to the University of Utah in 1980 to pursue his Master's degree in social work while working as a counselor for the Deaf community at Valley Mental Health during the day and night shifts at NAC. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1982 and became a licensed clinical social worker (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
W. David Mortensen in his classic car, 1950s
At the same time, Dave found time to be involved with the Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD). Despite his hectic schedule, Dave managed to volunteer as a room father once or twice a week in Kristi's classroom - a self-contained classroom for the deaf at Riley Elementary in South Salt Lake, then at Lafayette Elementary in Salt Lake City downtown, and finally at Dilworth Elementary School east of Sugarhouse. Dave felt he needed to be in the classroom as much as possible to ensure Kristi received a proper education. He also wanted to be a role model for other Deaf students who were not as fortunate as Kristi. He also took Kristi aside on Saturday mornings after family chores to teach her different subjects so she stayed caught up when she started junior high and high school. During the summer, he would take her to his classes at the University of Utah as part of his teaching curriculum (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Dave served the UAD in various capacities since 1967, notably as president and editor (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5). He began his involvement as the editor of the UAD Bulletin, where he served for several years, and later as the editor of the Utah TTY Directory (UAD Bulletin, August 1995; Kinney, UAD Bulletin, March 2002).
Dave served the UAD in various capacities since 1967, notably as president and editor (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5). He began his involvement as the editor of the UAD Bulletin, where he served for several years, and later as the editor of the Utah TTY Directory (UAD Bulletin, August 1995; Kinney, UAD Bulletin, March 2002).
The UAD Bulletin, December 1969
Dave was elected UAD president at the 1971 convention. According to "The Deaf Education History in Utah," he carried the torch, fighting for Deaf children's right to proper education and political issues. In the fall of 1971, a two-track education system was established, the Oral and Total Communication tracks. He also fought for Murray School District to pay for interpreters for Kristi while she was in junior high and high school. His Deaf daughter inspired him to advocate for Deaf children's right to equal access to education as hearing students (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). Dave Mortensen was a fearless, ambitious, and persistent leader (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011). He is best known as a political activist. Dave stated, "I firmly believe that an education taught in the proper mode will enable many to achieve a good education and much success in life's consequences" (UAD Bulletin, November 1999, p. 5).
His positive role model inspired Kristi to become a Deaf education advocate. As a result, Kristi received an Honorable Mention from the Governor's Commission for Women and Families on May 2, 2002, for her educational service and accomplishments. The ceremony was held in the State Capitol's Gold Room (UAD Bulletin, June 2002, p. 1).
His positive role model inspired Kristi to become a Deaf education advocate. As a result, Kristi received an Honorable Mention from the Governor's Commission for Women and Families on May 2, 2002, for her educational service and accomplishments. The ceremony was held in the State Capitol's Gold Room (UAD Bulletin, June 2002, p. 1).
W. David Mortensen, 1980. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell
Although Dave and Shanna prioritized Kristi's education, they also paid attention to their other four children. The parents took them on annual trips to Columbus, Ohio, Boston, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California, to visit Dave's siblings. They discovered many interesting places on these road trips (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Dave had long been involved in the UAD. He served as president of the UAD for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997. He is the association's longest-serving president, and no one has beaten him. Dave witnessed the organization evolve from a simple to a more complex structure, where he was tasked with overseeing several programs. As a result, during his presidency, UAD transitioned from a small, home-run organization to a well-functioning business office (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
Dave had long been involved in the UAD. He served as president of the UAD for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997. He is the association's longest-serving president, and no one has beaten him. Dave witnessed the organization evolve from a simple to a more complex structure, where he was tasked with overseeing several programs. As a result, during his presidency, UAD transitioned from a small, home-run organization to a well-functioning business office (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
In 1971, W. David Mortensen discussing TTYs with Utah Governor Scott M. Matheson. Lucy Greenwood is the interpreter
Throughout his tenure as president, Dave generously donated to the UAD, primarily through his involvement with the Utah Legislature. He actively lobbied his district's senators and representatives for the Utah Deaf community's accessibility needs when most legislators were not proactive, bold, or eager to get out and lobby. Furthermore, Dave used his political connections to get legislators to listen to him and learn about Deaf accessibility needs (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
His lobbying, for example, pushed for establishing a deaf center, the first of which was the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
He was instrumental in establishing the TTY Program for the Utah Deaf community in 1975 through a federal government grant (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave worked hard with the state legislature in 1986 to pass a law requiring two Deaf people to serve on the USDB Institutional Council (later renamed the Advisory Council) (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave also worked hard behind the scenes to gather members of the Utah Deaf community to lobby on Capitol Hill for a relay service for Utah. His efforts resulted in legislation, and the Utah Relay Service for the Deaf was established in 1988 (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave returned to the state legislature in 1994 to lobby for recognizing American Sign Language as a language and to help establish the Interpreter Training Program at Salt Lake Community College (UAD Bulletin, November 1999). He addressed committees of the Salt Lake City Community Councils and the United Way, which resulted in establishing an interpreter service. We now have the Utah Interpreter Program and several interpreting businesses. In addition, the medical community became more aware of the need for interpreters for Deaf people due to his push for interpreters in medical settings (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
He was a member of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities and the Utah State Committee on Consumer Services (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
His lobbying, for example, pushed for establishing a deaf center, the first of which was the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
He was instrumental in establishing the TTY Program for the Utah Deaf community in 1975 through a federal government grant (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave worked hard with the state legislature in 1986 to pass a law requiring two Deaf people to serve on the USDB Institutional Council (later renamed the Advisory Council) (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave also worked hard behind the scenes to gather members of the Utah Deaf community to lobby on Capitol Hill for a relay service for Utah. His efforts resulted in legislation, and the Utah Relay Service for the Deaf was established in 1988 (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave returned to the state legislature in 1994 to lobby for recognizing American Sign Language as a language and to help establish the Interpreter Training Program at Salt Lake Community College (UAD Bulletin, November 1999). He addressed committees of the Salt Lake City Community Councils and the United Way, which resulted in establishing an interpreter service. We now have the Utah Interpreter Program and several interpreting businesses. In addition, the medical community became more aware of the need for interpreters for Deaf people due to his push for interpreters in medical settings (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
He was a member of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities and the Utah State Committee on Consumer Services (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
W. David Mortensen with a large mailbox TTY machine UAD Bulletin, June 1972
Dave was a rally leader in the following settings over the years:
• Utah State Board of Education to let Total Communication be the main focus on education of the deaf in 1970.
• The University of Utah included Total Communication pedagogy in the Teacher Preparation Program 1977.
• Utah Capitol, to pass a law establishing the Utah Interpreter Service under state funding in 1982, after the United Way discontinued funding support.
• Utah Capitol, to pass Senate Bill 101 to set up a Utah Relay Service in 1987.
• Utah Capitol, to pass the law establishing the Interpreting Training Program at Salt Lake Community College for prospective interpreters in 1994.
• Utah Capitol, to enact a law recognizing American Sign Language as a foreign language and requiring schools, colleges, and universities to accept America Sign Language for credit toward language requirements in 1994.
Dave also spent years lobbying the Utah Legislature to do the following:
• Get funding for the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center.
• Authorize a fee on telephone service to get money to set up a Utah Relay Service for the Deaf in 1987.
• Utah State Board of Education to let Total Communication be the main focus on education of the deaf in 1970.
• The University of Utah included Total Communication pedagogy in the Teacher Preparation Program 1977.
• Utah Capitol, to pass a law establishing the Utah Interpreter Service under state funding in 1982, after the United Way discontinued funding support.
• Utah Capitol, to pass Senate Bill 101 to set up a Utah Relay Service in 1987.
• Utah Capitol, to pass the law establishing the Interpreting Training Program at Salt Lake Community College for prospective interpreters in 1994.
• Utah Capitol, to enact a law recognizing American Sign Language as a foreign language and requiring schools, colleges, and universities to accept America Sign Language for credit toward language requirements in 1994.
Dave also spent years lobbying the Utah Legislature to do the following:
• Get funding for the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center.
• Authorize a fee on telephone service to get money to set up a Utah Relay Service for the Deaf in 1987.
Signing to permit purchase of TTYs for free distribution in 1988. Governor Norman Bangeter sitting. L-R: Lee Shepherd, Kristi Mortensen, Shanna Mortensen, Donna Lee Westberg, Tim Funk (assisted Dave Mortensen on the Hill), Ben Edwards, Mr. Edwards, Roy Cochran, Senator Darrel Renstrom, D-Ogden (He helped passed the SB 101 bill), Dave Mortensen, Art Valdez
Dave went to the United Way in 1978 and got funding to start the first Interpreter Service for the Deaf. UAD was the first to manage Utah's Relay Service. UAD maintained that program for a few years until he went to the Legislature in 1987 and asked for Senate Bill 101 to establish a permanent interpreting service to assist Utah Relay Service (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). Dave worked hard at the Utah capitol to get phone surcharges to fund a relay service and TTY distribution program in Utah (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, March 2002).
The idea of awarding outstanding Deaf people in each state came from the 1978 National Association of the Deaf conference. Dave proposed establishing the Golden Hand Award in Utah. In 1979, he received the first Golden Hand Award from the Utah Association of the Deaf. It was supposed to be a paper certificate. Still, he felt a plaque would be more appropriate, and a plaque has been awarded every time since (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
When the National Association of the Deaf asked each state to have a Miss Deaf (State) contestant attend the National Association of the Deaf's centennial year anniversary in 1980 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave, as UAD president, implemented the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant in 1979 (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
The idea of awarding outstanding Deaf people in each state came from the 1978 National Association of the Deaf conference. Dave proposed establishing the Golden Hand Award in Utah. In 1979, he received the first Golden Hand Award from the Utah Association of the Deaf. It was supposed to be a paper certificate. Still, he felt a plaque would be more appropriate, and a plaque has been awarded every time since (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
When the National Association of the Deaf asked each state to have a Miss Deaf (State) contestant attend the National Association of the Deaf's centennial year anniversary in 1980 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave, as UAD president, implemented the Miss Deaf Utah Pageant in 1979 (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
W. David Mortensen thanks Utah Governor Norman Bangerter for signing the bills advancing deaf causes in 1991
Dave served on the following committees:
• Public Service Commission on the distribution of TTYs
• Committee on Interpreting
• Utah Relay Committee, as Chairman
• Committee to encourage hospitals to have interpreters for Deaf patients
• Committee to request lawyers to hire interpreters when with a deaf client
• Utah Telecom Directory for several years as editor
Dave had been a strong advocate for the Utah Deaf community. Shanna Christiansen Mortensen received a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1995 for her long patience with 22 years of providing much background support to her husband, Dave's service to the Utah Association for the Deaf. Her lifetime membership in the Utah Association for the Deaf was also awarded (UAD Bulletin, July 1995).
• Public Service Commission on the distribution of TTYs
• Committee on Interpreting
• Utah Relay Committee, as Chairman
• Committee to encourage hospitals to have interpreters for Deaf patients
• Committee to request lawyers to hire interpreters when with a deaf client
• Utah Telecom Directory for several years as editor
Dave had been a strong advocate for the Utah Deaf community. Shanna Christiansen Mortensen received a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf in 1995 for her long patience with 22 years of providing much background support to her husband, Dave's service to the Utah Association for the Deaf. Her lifetime membership in the Utah Association for the Deaf was also awarded (UAD Bulletin, July 1995).
Shanna Christiansen, 1954 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Dave stated in the September 1996 UAD Bulletin that he retired early at 58 as a "buy-out" from the NAC after 31 years of service. He worked at Valley Mental Health until 1996, when he retired at 65 after 23 years of service. To sum it up, he worked for 54 years; the two jobs overlapped, and Dave spent eight years at the University of Utah studying for his MSW (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, September 1996). He also spent two years teaching American Sign Language classes at Salt Lake Community College (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). In addition, he was President of the UAD for 22 years while working and attending school. Dave felt his time was well spent and stated that many board members helped and deserved as much credit and a pat on the back for their work during those years (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, September 1996).
Dave was the recipient of the following honors:
• 1972: National Association of the Deaf Award for excellence in cultural achievement news publication
• July 1973: Certification from Registry of Interpreting for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
• August 1976: Certification from Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
• 1976-1979: Certification of Appreciation from Utah State Board of Education for service on the Utah State Advisory Committee
• May 1977: Served as the delegate to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in recognition of dedicated services
• 1979: Utah Association for the Deaf Golden Hand Award
• June 1981: Meritorious Service Award in recognition of valuable service on the Board of UAD
• June 1987: Certification of Appreciation in contribution unlimited time on SB 101
• January 1990: Utah State Committee of Consumer Service for strong consumer advocacy
• March 1990: Utah State Office of Rehabilitation – Coalition for People with Disabilities
• 1993: Guerts/Knowles Outstanding Volunteer Award: in recognition of exemplary service rendered to offenders at the Utah State Prison
• January 1995: F.O.E. Aerie #76 Achievement Award for inspiration, strength, and determination to overcome any obstacles
• July 1998: Award from the National Association of the Deaf Knights of the Flying Fingers
• 1999: Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Legacy Award for USDB Alumni Achievement
• June 2003: Utah Educational Interpreter Award as a deaf community advocate in the field of educational interpreting
Dave received the Distinguished Service Award in September 2007 for his long-term service to the Utah Association for the Deaf, particularly his work with the Utah Legislature. He actively sought their assistance when the majority of his district's senators and representatives were too cowardly or fearful to go out and lobby on matters crucial to the Utah Deaf community. He was able to persuade lawmakers to take notice and learn more about deaf issues in general as a result (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
Dave was the recipient of the following honors:
• 1972: National Association of the Deaf Award for excellence in cultural achievement news publication
• July 1973: Certification from Registry of Interpreting for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
• August 1976: Certification from Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
• 1976-1979: Certification of Appreciation from Utah State Board of Education for service on the Utah State Advisory Committee
• May 1977: Served as the delegate to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in recognition of dedicated services
• 1979: Utah Association for the Deaf Golden Hand Award
• June 1981: Meritorious Service Award in recognition of valuable service on the Board of UAD
• June 1987: Certification of Appreciation in contribution unlimited time on SB 101
• January 1990: Utah State Committee of Consumer Service for strong consumer advocacy
• March 1990: Utah State Office of Rehabilitation – Coalition for People with Disabilities
• 1993: Guerts/Knowles Outstanding Volunteer Award: in recognition of exemplary service rendered to offenders at the Utah State Prison
• January 1995: F.O.E. Aerie #76 Achievement Award for inspiration, strength, and determination to overcome any obstacles
• July 1998: Award from the National Association of the Deaf Knights of the Flying Fingers
• 1999: Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Legacy Award for USDB Alumni Achievement
• June 2003: Utah Educational Interpreter Award as a deaf community advocate in the field of educational interpreting
Dave received the Distinguished Service Award in September 2007 for his long-term service to the Utah Association for the Deaf, particularly his work with the Utah Legislature. He actively sought their assistance when the majority of his district's senators and representatives were too cowardly or fearful to go out and lobby on matters crucial to the Utah Deaf community. He was able to persuade lawmakers to take notice and learn more about deaf issues in general as a result (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
W. David Mortensen receives the Distinguished Service Award in September 2007 for his long-term service to the Utah Association for the Deaf, particularly his work with the Utah Legislature. L-R: Robert G. Sanderson, Dave Mortensen, Miss Deaf America, Chelsea, and Utah Association for the Deaf president Rob Kerr
Dave, a long-serving UAD president, was asked in the 1997 UAD Bulletin, "What's ahead for the UAD to be doing?" He responded that, "There are and will be a continuous stream of various matters popping up, matters that might stop our onward movement to achieve more enhancement to the quality of our lives. Looking back on the years I spent as president, it seems it was only yesterday when my work started. I do believe that many achievements were accomplished during my tenure. This doesn't mean that it is the end of the road for me. No, the road we are traveling on has no "Deaf End." He also stated:
"The UAD is a household word among the deaf and hard of hearing community. Why? Issues that improve and enhance the quality of our lives have been brought into reality. There are many more issues that will be worked on in the coming years. The deaf and hard of hearing have always had to work and fight for what they felt was rightfully part of their lives. I cannot keep thinking of how many things that has been brought up, and goals have been set, and work is progressing. We don't always succeed the first time, but we don't give up, either. "Dave had spent a good part of his life, leading the UAD. Whatever had been accomplished during this time, he was proud of it because it benefited everyone, not just a single person. He said, "If I had my life to live again, would I go through it? You bet!" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3).
"The UAD is a household word among the deaf and hard of hearing community. Why? Issues that improve and enhance the quality of our lives have been brought into reality. There are many more issues that will be worked on in the coming years. The deaf and hard of hearing have always had to work and fight for what they felt was rightfully part of their lives. I cannot keep thinking of how many things that has been brought up, and goals have been set, and work is progressing. We don't always succeed the first time, but we don't give up, either. "Dave had spent a good part of his life, leading the UAD. Whatever had been accomplished during this time, he was proud of it because it benefited everyone, not just a single person. He said, "If I had my life to live again, would I go through it? You bet!" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3).
Shanna Christiansen and W. David Mortensen at "This is the Place" in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1954
Dave's interests included gardening, reading, and involvement in the Utah Deaf community. Dave was a member of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, where he was the Sunday school president for 13 years and a Sunday school instructor and priesthood instructor at Salt Lake Valley Branch, later Ward, beginning in 1971. He worked as a Sunday school and priesthood instructor for 23 years until the Salt Lake Valley Ward split into the 1st and 2nd Wards in September 1998. In addition, Dave Mortensen worked as executive secretary for the Salt Lake Valley 2nd Ward for the Deaf for three years (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009).
In 2013, Dave was appointed president emeritus by the Utah Association of the Deaf. He succeeded Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who passed away in February 2012 (Kinney & Kinner, UAD Bulletin, August 2013).
In 2013, Dave was appointed president emeritus by the Utah Association of the Deaf. He succeeded Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who passed away in February 2012 (Kinney & Kinner, UAD Bulletin, August 2013).
W. David Mortensen, 1980. Photo by Robert L. Bonnell
Jodi Becker Kinner, a Utah Deaf community historian, proposed honoring Dave for his exemplary service at the UAD meeting in 2013, and her proposal was approved. On March 29, 2014, a special ceremony was held to unveil Dave's Lifetime Advocacy Award and portrait with brief biography honoring more than 40 years of advocacy contributions to the Utah Deaf community, in collaboration with the UAD Honoring Event Committee, Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Utah Association of the Deaf. In addition, over 50 people were served brunch. Speakers at Dave's honoring ceremony included UAD president Philippe Montalette, DSDHH director Marilyn Call, retired USOR executive director Don Uchida, and Valerie Kinney, who discussed various aspects of Dave's life from childhood to the present (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, April 2014).
W. David Mortensen Mortensen cutting a ribbon
At Dave's honoring ceremony, the DSDHH director, Marilyn Call, praised "his tireless efforts over the years to fight for deaf rights in education, the workplace, interpreting, and medical fields." Dave was overwhelmed by the honor and stated, "His ultimate goal all along was to provide deaf people with equal access to everything hearing people had." His daughter, Kristi, noted, "He is a good reminder for us that when we see a barrier, we need to do something and speak up. We have all kinds of accessibility and technology today. Our lives are much better because of him" (Lee, KSL, March 29, 2014). The plaques, his portrait, and a brief biography are displayed in the Sanderson Community Center museum area for all to see and remember. His work was frequently hidden behind the scenes, but his contributions were significant. Dave had advocated for civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community, leaving a valuable legacy for future generations.
Dave passed away on January 20, 2018, in West Jordan, Utah, surrounded by those he loved and loved him in return, at the home of his daughter Kristi Lee Mortensen (Obituary for Warren David Mortensen).
Dave passed away on January 20, 2018, in West Jordan, Utah, surrounded by those he loved and loved him in return, at the home of his daughter Kristi Lee Mortensen (Obituary for Warren David Mortensen).
W. David Mortensen standing in front of his two plaques
Shanna, Kristi, & David Mortensen
Marilyn T. Call & W. David Mortensen
Kristi and her dad, W. David Mortensen
Did You Know?
Ron Nelson, Kristi Mortensen's husband, explained in the September 2003 UAD Bulletin that USDB Superintendent Boyd E. Nelson is his great-uncle (his father's uncle). Boyd Nelson only stayed with USDB for a few years before moving to New Jersey as State Superintendent of Schools (Nelson, UAD Bulletin, September 2003).
Dr. Boyd E. Nelson, Superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind
Note
Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, April 17, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
References
“Awards Presented at the Banquet.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 19.2 (July 1995): 3.
“Governor’s Commission Honors Deaf Woman.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 26.1 (June 2002): 1.
Green, Mark. Utah man honored for lifetime of work with people who are deaf. Fox13. (March 29, 2014).http://fox13now.com/2014/03/29/utah-man-honored-for-lifetime-of-work-with-people-who-are-deaf/
“Highlights of UAD Board Meeting.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 23.6 (November 1999): 5.
Kinney, Valerie. “Utah Deaf Trivia.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 25.10 (March 2002): 3.
Kinney, Valerie and Kinner, Jodi. “W. David Mortensen Becomes President Emeritus.” UAD Bulletin, vol, 37 - 03 (August 2013): 1.
Kinney, Valerie. Dave Mortensen Horning Unveiling. UAD Bulletin, vol. 37-11. (April 2014): 1.
Lee, Jason. “Utah man honored for being decades-long 'voice' of state's deaf community.” (March 29, 2014). http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=29264903#6A8qmCTxLrrA4jrp.99
McEntee, Marni. “Social Work has an insider’s view of the problems growing up deaf.” Deseret News, June 26, 1986.
Mortensen, Dave. “UAD President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 20.4 (September 1996): 4.
Mortensen, Dave. “The Grand Banquet.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 21.1 (July 1997): 3.
Mortensen, Kristi. “The Grand Banquet.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 21.1 (July 1996): 3.
Nelson, Ron. “President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.4 (September 2003): 2.
Obituary for Warren David Mortensen.
“Prestigious Awards Given During UAD Conference.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 31.5 (October 2007): 1 & 5.
“W. David Mortensen.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 11, No. 2 (July 1976): 2.
“Governor’s Commission Honors Deaf Woman.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 26.1 (June 2002): 1.
Green, Mark. Utah man honored for lifetime of work with people who are deaf. Fox13. (March 29, 2014).http://fox13now.com/2014/03/29/utah-man-honored-for-lifetime-of-work-with-people-who-are-deaf/
“Highlights of UAD Board Meeting.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 23.6 (November 1999): 5.
Kinney, Valerie. “Utah Deaf Trivia.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 25.10 (March 2002): 3.
Kinney, Valerie and Kinner, Jodi. “W. David Mortensen Becomes President Emeritus.” UAD Bulletin, vol, 37 - 03 (August 2013): 1.
Kinney, Valerie. Dave Mortensen Horning Unveiling. UAD Bulletin, vol. 37-11. (April 2014): 1.
Lee, Jason. “Utah man honored for being decades-long 'voice' of state's deaf community.” (March 29, 2014). http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=29264903#6A8qmCTxLrrA4jrp.99
McEntee, Marni. “Social Work has an insider’s view of the problems growing up deaf.” Deseret News, June 26, 1986.
Mortensen, Dave. “UAD President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 20.4 (September 1996): 4.
Mortensen, Dave. “The Grand Banquet.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 21.1 (July 1997): 3.
Mortensen, Kristi. “The Grand Banquet.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 21.1 (July 1996): 3.
Nelson, Ron. “President’s Message.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.4 (September 2003): 2.
Obituary for Warren David Mortensen.
“Prestigious Awards Given During UAD Conference.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 31.5 (October 2007): 1 & 5.
“W. David Mortensen.” UAD Bulletin, Vol. 11, No. 2 (July 1976): 2.
John "Jack" F. White, the Athletic Leader
For more than 40 years, John "Jack" F. White had been a figure in Utah sports. He held every office in the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, but his years as a player, coach, manager, and athletic director for the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf (UCAD) teams are best remembered. He also held practically all of the UCAD's offices and was a loyal supporter of the club and community. He had been a delegate to national tournaments for the American Athletic Association of the Deaf five times. Jack's commitment to the sporting climate and sportsmanship has made an unforgettable mark on many people's lives.
John F. White, 1932 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Edited by Dan V. Mathis, a Deaf grandson of John F. White
Gary L. Leavitt, a Deaf student at the University of Utah at the time, wrote a paper for his history class called "The Silent Sportsmanship: John "Jack" F. White" in 2005
Gary L. Leavitt, a Deaf student at the University of Utah at the time, wrote a paper for his history class called "The Silent Sportsmanship: John "Jack" F. White" in 2005
John F. White was known to the Utah Deaf community as "Jack." He was born to Fredrick John Scranton White from England and Ruth Glass from Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 19, 1910. It has been said that the doctor did not properly grasp his head during Jack's delivery, putting a severe strain on the ear's nerves, and he subsequently became Deaf. His parents tried to find medical assistance to restore his hearing but to no avail. There was no "treatment" to make it happen. Jack remained deaf all his life, creating a unique legacy enriched with challenges, opportunities, and fulfillment.
John F. White smiling at his mother, Ruth Glass White, in front of the Main Building of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1918 @ FamilySearch.org
Jack's early exposure to language was through the medium of "home signs," a type of non-standardized sign language developed by the family to be used in their home. During the first few years of his life, being an active and curious boy, Jack acquired his language through this "home sign" system. He did not learn formal sign language until he enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden, Utah, at the age of seven in 1917, where he lived daily, going home only on odd weekends and during holidays. He quickly acquired mastery of sign language from his teachers and his peers.
While a student at USD, Jack's interest in and love for sports grew, thanks to his eventual brother-in-law, Charles Fowkes, Vida's brother. Charles, a much older adolescent, challenged him when he was only a young teenager to participate in school's sports activities, or he would be thrown into the swimming pool. As a result, Jack became a sports enthusiast with great athletic ability and knowledge of the games; he joined the basketball, baseball, and football teams for USD.
While a student at USD, Jack's interest in and love for sports grew, thanks to his eventual brother-in-law, Charles Fowkes, Vida's brother. Charles, a much older adolescent, challenged him when he was only a young teenager to participate in school's sports activities, or he would be thrown into the swimming pool. As a result, Jack became a sports enthusiast with great athletic ability and knowledge of the games; he joined the basketball, baseball, and football teams for USD.
John F. White, Captain of the Utah School for the Deaf basketball team, 1926 @ FamilySearch.org
In 1930, Wayne E. Stewart, the student captain of the basketball team, wrote a report about the team's success. Their record may have been 4-13, but they had done their best. Jack had contributed 12 points during the season, only playing in six games.
The following year, Jack became captain of the basketball and football teams. For the basketball team, he wrote the reports for the ensuing season. He had a knack for sports writing, and his skill only improved with further reportage. His team had the most successful season until that time: nineteen victories, six losses. The team was cohesive and strong for the Ogden school. Jack himself contributed 145 points within the span of those twenty-four games.
If Jack had been "mainstreamed," chances are he would not have gotten to play the sports he loved so much. At that time, deafness was looked upon very negatively, and because of communication barriers, most coaches would not have given a Deaf student fresh off the street a chance to play for the team. In addition, the communication system that needed to be developed to bring a Deaf student into play was usually thought to be overwhelming and a waste of time for most hearing sports enthusiasts, or so it would seem.
The following year, Jack became captain of the basketball and football teams. For the basketball team, he wrote the reports for the ensuing season. He had a knack for sports writing, and his skill only improved with further reportage. His team had the most successful season until that time: nineteen victories, six losses. The team was cohesive and strong for the Ogden school. Jack himself contributed 145 points within the span of those twenty-four games.
If Jack had been "mainstreamed," chances are he would not have gotten to play the sports he loved so much. At that time, deafness was looked upon very negatively, and because of communication barriers, most coaches would not have given a Deaf student fresh off the street a chance to play for the team. In addition, the communication system that needed to be developed to bring a Deaf student into play was usually thought to be overwhelming and a waste of time for most hearing sports enthusiasts, or so it would seem.
John F. White, Captain of the Utah School for the Deaf basketball team, 1929
Jack was a quarterback on the football team. USD was fortunate to have his experience and leadership on the team. He often passed the football field at Ogden High School, where the school's football team would practice and hold their games. He knew his team needed a good challenge, so he approached the coach of the Ogden High School team to discuss a possible scrimmage between the hearing and Deaf teams. Back then, the USD football team did not have regular uniforms or protective gear like what Ogden High School's team had. Instead, they wore thick long-sleeve shirts, jeans, homemade cleats, and deep pegs for the game. Although the Deaf team was smaller than the high school team, the Deaf players developed physical strength through USD's vocational training programs. Therefore, the Ogden High School team seemed to have a greater advantage. To the chagrin of the hearing team, the Deaf team proved to be stronger, more cohesive, and a worthy opponent of their hearing counterparts, winning the scrimmage game, 20-16. With all the practice and rivalry between the two teams, Ogden High School that year parlayed the drills into their victory: they took the state championship in 1932.
John F. White, second from right) as Caption of the basketball team for the Utah School for the Deaf, 1929. Photo courtesy of the Richard Thomsen’s Family History
At USD, Jack learned to become a printer and a Linotype operator. He graduated from USD in 1932. One of his earliest jobs was working for the University of Utah Printing Press. Before landing the job there, he approached the press boss about working in the press. He offered two weeks of work without pay to prove he had all the skills and was a hard worker. The boss agreed, and two weeks passed. He was impressed with Jack's work. He decided to hire him. With the training and experience he had gained through school and the workplace, Jack was offered a job in Salt Lake City with the Newspaper Agency Corporation. He was not alone in those years when he worked with the NAC. There were a total of twelve Deaf people working with him at the agency. By the time 1987 rolled around with the freight-train advance of technology, the NAC had seen many changes. Linotypes had gone the way of the horse and buggy, and the computer was the order of the day. Computer literacy became a modern and required skill that many Deaf printers didn't have, and the workforce was eventually reduced from twelve to three of those long-time workers. Jack retired in 1987 at 77, after a career of 55 years in the printing industry and 42 years in the NAC, to be specific.
John F. White pastes on forms, which will be photographed, stereotyped and put on high-speed rotary presses, 1968. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
After graduating from USD and moving to the Salt Lake area, Jack found he had a lot of time on his hands. The school year was over, and marriage was not a pressing issue for him. His work occupied merely eight hours a day. At home, under the feet of his parents, he needed to do something. His attention and focus turned to the "other love of his life": sports. His initial interest in sports remained strong. In 1932, no sports activity per se was organized for the deaf, so Jack set out to rectify this. Through his ingenuity and persistence, he founded the Salt Lake Silent Club. He eventually held the posts of player, coach, and manager of the organization.
Soon after Jack's graduation, he had a slew of girlfriends, but one particular lady caught his eye from the Utah School for the Deaf: Vida Fowkes, whom he married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 31, 1938. Their marriage lasted 67 years until Jack died in 2005. They had three children: two daughters and one son. While raising their family, the whole household communicated in sign language, and all three children signed before they spoke. The eldest child, Carol, has a son named Dan V. Mathis, who is also deaf like his grandparents. The entire family of Jack and Vida, through their youngest great-grandchild, has used or learned to use some sign language. Another interesting family note: Vida Fowkes and Kenneth C. Burdett, a long-time teacher and administrator of the Utah School for the Deaf, were first cousins.
Soon after Jack's graduation, he had a slew of girlfriends, but one particular lady caught his eye from the Utah School for the Deaf: Vida Fowkes, whom he married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 31, 1938. Their marriage lasted 67 years until Jack died in 2005. They had three children: two daughters and one son. While raising their family, the whole household communicated in sign language, and all three children signed before they spoke. The eldest child, Carol, has a son named Dan V. Mathis, who is also deaf like his grandparents. The entire family of Jack and Vida, through their youngest great-grandchild, has used or learned to use some sign language. Another interesting family note: Vida Fowkes and Kenneth C. Burdett, a long-time teacher and administrator of the Utah School for the Deaf, were first cousins.
John F. White & Vida Fowkes' Engagement, 1938. Photo courtesy of the Richard Thomsen’s Family History
John F. White & Vida Fowkes walking in the field by the canal at the ranch in Almy, Wyoming, when he proposed, August 1938. Photo courtesy of the Richard Thomsen’s Family History
Getting friends to play competitive games was a real challenge at first. Jack would go to apply for his team's league membership. Many hearing people thought this was a joke! Deaf people in sports? Sure, they could play other deaf teams, but why do the deaf play the hearing? Not all hearing people were ready for that one. Finally, the Silent Club was accepted into a league with the help of some wise and understanding folks at the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Division. Jack personally would counsel and coach the referees on how the deaf would be watching him for signals throughout the game and what signs meant. Since most of the referees had some ability to signal with game-related signs, the transition appeared to be a smooth one. Jack would go on to step up basketball games between the Silent Club and other hearing teams in the area. The Silent Club continued its illustrious career until the summer of 1945.
1945 brought news of a sports federation operating out of Los Angeles: the Far West Athletic Association of the Deaf. At the same time, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf was founded in Washington, D.C. Jack informed his group of an upcoming tourney in Los Angeles, California, and the fees that would be involved to go and play in that invitational.
Only some things went as smoothly as one might imagine. Jack informed four of his team's best players about the tourney, only to find later that the L.A. Deaf Club team had convinced all four to move to Los Angeles, find better jobs than they had in Utah, and become part of their team! Jack was furious at this theft (or "betrayal") and decided this blow would not defeat him, so he went around to eight other people at the club whose skills at basketball were not quite as good as the four members who had defected. He raised a team for the tournament in a relatively short time.
1945 brought news of a sports federation operating out of Los Angeles: the Far West Athletic Association of the Deaf. At the same time, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf was founded in Washington, D.C. Jack informed his group of an upcoming tourney in Los Angeles, California, and the fees that would be involved to go and play in that invitational.
Only some things went as smoothly as one might imagine. Jack informed four of his team's best players about the tourney, only to find later that the L.A. Deaf Club team had convinced all four to move to Los Angeles, find better jobs than they had in Utah, and become part of their team! Jack was furious at this theft (or "betrayal") and decided this blow would not defeat him, so he went around to eight other people at the club whose skills at basketball were not quite as good as the four members who had defected. He raised a team for the tournament in a relatively short time.
Dan V. Mathis & Stephanie Lowder, 2011
When it came time to go to the tournament, more problems arose. Many of the eight needed help to afford transportation, housing, and food for such a trip from Salt Lake City and back. Jack, out of his faith in the team and his love for the sport and its accompanying competition, took about $200.00 out of his savings to pay for the expenses incurred on the trip. The team did their best, winning the consolation trophy for their 2-1 record. A good showing for a recently constructed team!
After the tournament in 1945, Jack returned home to organize the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, signaling the demise of the Silent Club. In 1947, the Utah team, which Jack still coached, drove to Oakland's second FAAD tournament. The FAAD officers asked him to organize the 1948 FAAD tournament in Salt Lake City as president of UACD. He organized new committees to arrange parties, dinners, and raffles to help build up their UACD fund for the tournament. He rented the old Deseret Gym for $200 for two nights. Finally, they had enough money to pay for transportation for other teams. The tournament was a big success.
After the tournament in 1945, Jack returned home to organize the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, signaling the demise of the Silent Club. In 1947, the Utah team, which Jack still coached, drove to Oakland's second FAAD tournament. The FAAD officers asked him to organize the 1948 FAAD tournament in Salt Lake City as president of UACD. He organized new committees to arrange parties, dinners, and raffles to help build up their UACD fund for the tournament. He rented the old Deseret Gym for $200 for two nights. Finally, they had enough money to pay for transportation for other teams. The tournament was a big success.
The 1947 Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf Tournament in Oakland, California. Front Row: Coach (Joseph Burdett?), #7 Earl Smith (His son, Evern Smith was a hearing interpreter), #5 Paul Wood, (hidden number) player?, # 1 player ?, ,(hidden number) player ?, # 9 John F. White. Back Row: Coach (Joseh Burnett), #4 player? , # 2 player?, # 9 Bruce Eyre, # 2 Eugene Plumby, #7 player ?, # 8 Shirley Barney (person with mustache), Ross Thurston (what is his #)?
John F. White’s Utah Deaf Sports Records
The 1948 Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf. Front Row: #9 Dicky Bess, #2 player, #5 player, #6 player #4 Kenneth Caraveau, Back Row: Coach? Paul Wood (#?), Kirk Allred (#?), Bruce Eyre (#?), #3 player, #7 player, #8 player, #10 Lloyd Perkins,?, ?, Phil Thorston, Don Jacob Shirley standing, Eugene Barney, John F. White, Plumby
The group competed with mainly hearing teams until around 1956 when a new organization emerged: the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf. The NWAAD comprised Deaf teams from Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Utah. No longer were the Deaf teams forced to play their hearing counterparts. Now they could compete against each other and become a force unto themselves in the athletic world.
UACD & NWAAD Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1962. John F. White on the right back row
The UACD continued to contend with hearing teams through the Monday Night Sports Program with the Salt Lake County Recreation Department. While the teams in the Deaf circuit, the Far West Athletic Association of the Deaf, the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, and the American Athletic Association of the Deaf, were deaf only. Individual teams could compete against whomever they wished.
Taking the championship at the 11th annual NWAAD games in San Francisco, California, the UACD proved they were a definite force to be reckoned with. Jack ensured that this team adhered to all of the NWAAD's rules, which worked in their favor. When the UACD went up against the team from Oakland, the games were very well played, but the game was later forfeited in favor of the Utah team. Oakland had too many team members on the floor at one time, which was declared to violate NWAAD regulations.
Jack, at that time, was manager for the UACD, chief fund-raiser, and overall enthusiastic promoter for the club. Using his natural link to his work at the newspaper and the publicity the club could afford, Jack began putting out visual all-points bulletins to raise funds to send the deaf champions to the AAAD national tourney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This would be the first trip for a Utah team to that national meet. In honor of their bravery, the team was awarded the 1964 "Sportsmanship Trophy."
Taking the championship at the 11th annual NWAAD games in San Francisco, California, the UACD proved they were a definite force to be reckoned with. Jack ensured that this team adhered to all of the NWAAD's rules, which worked in their favor. When the UACD went up against the team from Oakland, the games were very well played, but the game was later forfeited in favor of the Utah team. Oakland had too many team members on the floor at one time, which was declared to violate NWAAD regulations.
Jack, at that time, was manager for the UACD, chief fund-raiser, and overall enthusiastic promoter for the club. Using his natural link to his work at the newspaper and the publicity the club could afford, Jack began putting out visual all-points bulletins to raise funds to send the deaf champions to the AAAD national tourney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This would be the first trip for a Utah team to that national meet. In honor of their bravery, the team was awarded the 1964 "Sportsmanship Trophy."
Members of the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, district champs of Northern Athletic Association, pose with trophies: front from left, Roy Cochran, Roy Milborn, Carl Obson, middle: Bruce Harvey, Ronald Perkins, Leon Curtis, coach: Ed Bell, John F. White, manager: back, Norman Williams, Robert Bonnell, Jay Christensen, Eric Przybyla, and John Murray. UAD Bulletin, February 1964
Jack was invited to continue his involvement on a national level. Five times he was elected as a delegate to the AAAD games in the capacity of a member of their administrative body. In the course of his fifth time as a delegate, he placed his bid for the opportunity to host the 1977 AAAD games in Salt Lake City. The bid was accepted with rousing support.
The 33rd annual American Association of the Deaf national basketball tournament materialized in Salt Lake City in 1977, the first ever held in Utah. In the program of the events at this meet, a special dedication to John F. White and Rodney W. Walker is found, honoring these two for their many years of dedication and service to the promotion of sports among the Deaf on a national level.
Jack wore three hats during the 1977 tournament. Not only did he serve as regional president, but he was also the coach for the UACD and secretary to the administrative committee. With all the work involved and not many people volunteering to shoulder the massive workload, Jack vowed, "Never again!" The out-of-pocket funds alone stretched the Salt Lake City team and its supporters to the maximum. With Jack's competent leadership and management skills, the tournament was somewhat of a Pyrrhic victory: it was a definite coup for the UACD, but the expenditure of money and manpower almost made it not worth the effort!
The 33rd annual American Association of the Deaf national basketball tournament materialized in Salt Lake City in 1977, the first ever held in Utah. In the program of the events at this meet, a special dedication to John F. White and Rodney W. Walker is found, honoring these two for their many years of dedication and service to the promotion of sports among the Deaf on a national level.
Jack wore three hats during the 1977 tournament. Not only did he serve as regional president, but he was also the coach for the UACD and secretary to the administrative committee. With all the work involved and not many people volunteering to shoulder the massive workload, Jack vowed, "Never again!" The out-of-pocket funds alone stretched the Salt Lake City team and its supporters to the maximum. With Jack's competent leadership and management skills, the tournament was somewhat of a Pyrrhic victory: it was a definite coup for the UACD, but the expenditure of money and manpower almost made it not worth the effort!
John F. White (far right) with members of the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, 1964
The competition (not competition) between the Deaf teams and other teams continued. Finally, in 1982, Jack had his first turn at many future awards. In the January 25, 1982, edition of the Salt Lake Tribune, John Mooney interviewed the Deaf inductee to the NWAAD Hall of Fame for his byline, Sports Mirror.
For his many years of dedication and leadership, Jack was feted and made a member of this distinguished group of Deaf sportspeople.
In 1991, the Utah Association for the Deaf recognized Jack for his lifetime of work and support of his community. The inscription on the plaque with which he was awarded reads as follows: Utah Association for the Deaf, President's Award, given to John F. White for his many years of service to the Utah Deaf Community.
With his advancing age and myriad health concerns, Jack retired from sports in 1992. Even then, his interest in sports was unflagging. Two years later, in 1994, Jack was inducted into the National Hall of Fame at the AAAD Golden Anniversary National Basketball Tournament in Akron, Ohio. He was one of the six inductees.
During the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 27, 1997, Jack received a UACD Sportsmanship Award for his lifetime contribution to sports activities for the Deaf.
For his many years of dedication and leadership, Jack was feted and made a member of this distinguished group of Deaf sportspeople.
In 1991, the Utah Association for the Deaf recognized Jack for his lifetime of work and support of his community. The inscription on the plaque with which he was awarded reads as follows: Utah Association for the Deaf, President's Award, given to John F. White for his many years of service to the Utah Deaf Community.
With his advancing age and myriad health concerns, Jack retired from sports in 1992. Even then, his interest in sports was unflagging. Two years later, in 1994, Jack was inducted into the National Hall of Fame at the AAAD Golden Anniversary National Basketball Tournament in Akron, Ohio. He was one of the six inductees.
During the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 27, 1997, Jack received a UACD Sportsmanship Award for his lifetime contribution to sports activities for the Deaf.
John F. White (far left standing) with members of the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, 1960s
Jack had been active in Utah sports for more than 40 years. He held all offices in the NWAAD but was best remembered for his years as a player, coach, manager, and athletic director of UACD teams. He also held nearly all the offices of the UACD and had always been a stalwart booster of the club and community. In addition, he had been an AAAD delegate five times to national tournaments.
Jack's contribution to the climate of sports and sportsmanship has left an indelible mark on the lives of many. Within not only the Deaf community in Utah but nationwide, here is a hitherto untold story for all sports-minded people of one who changed the face of sports not only for the Deaf but for the lives of many hearing people as well.
Jack's contribution to the climate of sports and sportsmanship has left an indelible mark on the lives of many. Within not only the Deaf community in Utah but nationwide, here is a hitherto untold story for all sports-minded people of one who changed the face of sports not only for the Deaf but for the lives of many hearing people as well.
John F. White in his suit with members of the Utah Athletic Club for the Deaf, 1960s
Jack's life included being a dedicated husband to Vida and a devoted father to Carol, Jack, and Sherri. He loved to see his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's successful life endeavors in academics and athletics. Other than spending time with family, his passions were reading newspapers (especially the sports section), attending Utah Jazz and University of Utah football and basketball games, having pets (cats and dogs), doing yard work, and traveling. He was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held several callings and positions serving in the Deaf congregation.
Jack passed away on December 23, 2005, at 95, in his hometown, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jack passed away on December 23, 2005, at 95, in his hometown, Salt Lake City, Utah.
John F. White, 2000. Photo courtesy of the Richard Thomsen’s Family History
Note
Dan V. Mathis, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 1, 2009.
Reference
Leavitt, Gary L. "The Silent Sportsmanship: John "Jack" F. White" for the history course at the University of Utah, 2005.
Rodney W. Walker, the Spiritual Leader
Rodney W. Walker had been involved in the Utah Deaf community for quite some time. He was the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, a delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, president of the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, president of the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, and national chairman of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf basketball tournament in Salt Lake City. He was also a member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Salt Lake City Division No. 56, United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and Gallaudet University Alumni Association's Beehive Chapter.
Rodney W. Walker. The Utah Eagle, April 1955
Rodney W. Walker was born deaf at home in Driggs, Idaho, on February 23, 1914, to parents Chester Bryon Walker and Ada Sheets Wilson. Emerson, his older brother, was also deaf. Emerson died at five from a ruptured appendix in 1917, leaving Rodney (not necessarily as) the family's only Deaf member. He and his family created and used in-home signs to communicate. As a child, he experienced isolation (Walker, 2006). Rodney stated in an interview with LDS Church News, "My family used some minimal home signs, but I often felt a lack of full communication" (First Sealer Serving in Salt Lake Temple, LDS Church News, August 8, 1998).
He couldn't understand his teacher or hearing classmates while attending a public school near his home. So it was decided that he would attend a special school. Rodney was five years old when his parents and a friend drove him from Driggs, Idaho, to Ogden, Utah, in their family's 1916 Cadillac touring car. He learned the manual alphabet and signs from his classmates (Walker, 2006).
He couldn't understand his teacher or hearing classmates while attending a public school near his home. So it was decided that he would attend a special school. Rodney was five years old when his parents and a friend drove him from Driggs, Idaho, to Ogden, Utah, in their family's 1916 Cadillac touring car. He learned the manual alphabet and signs from his classmates (Walker, 2006).
Rodney W. Walker driving the 1916 Cadillac car, 1922 @ FamilySearch.org
Rodney W. Walker (center), age 7 at the Utah School for the Deaf @ FamilySearch.org
He did not learn the gospel until he was 11 when he attended the Ogden Branch for the Deaf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time, students over ten, residents of the Main Building, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the Ogden Branch for the Deaf. As a result, Rodney held various church positions, including deacon and priest. In addition, he participated in Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association classes and activities (Walker, 2006).
Ogden Branch for the Deaf Young Men, about 1928. L-R: Joseph Burnett, Alton Fisher, Jack White, Wesley Perry, Rodney W. Walker @ FamilySearch.org
Rodney's close friend, Joseph B. Burnett, who had just finished his first year at Gallaudet College, inspired him to attend there after he graduated from USD in 1933. He applied for post-graduate work at USD, where he would study the subjects needed for the Gallaudet College entrance exam. During the school year 1933-34, he worked as a boy supervisor while studying for the exam. Despite passing the exam, he was concerned about his ability to succeed because of his English challenges. He decided not to let this deter him from enrolling at Gallaudet College and went (Walker, 2006).
Utah School for the Deaf, about 1928. Rodney-front row-second from left @ FamilySearch.org
Utah School for the Deaf, about 1929. Rodney-front row-left @ FamilySearch.org
Rodney W. Walker, 1933 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
In the fall of 1936, he reunited with USD alumni Ned Wheeler, John Glassett, Dolores Atkinson, Earl Jones, Earl Rogerson, Robert Sanderson, Robert Lewis, Verl Thorup, and Kyle Workman. In his "My Life Story" book, he proudly stated, "It was the highest number of Utahns who were at Gallaudet College, the number never surpassed since then" (Walker, 2006).
Utahns at Gallaudet College, 1937. Front Row (L-R): Verl Thorup, Joseph Burnett, Dolores Atkinson, Rodney Walker and Earl Jones. Back Row (L-R): John Glassett, Ned Wheeler, Earl Rogerson, Bob Sanderson, Robert Lewis and Kyle Workman
Rodney was a member of the Kappa Gamma Fraternity, the football, basketball, and track teams, the Kappa Gamma Fraternity Dance, and the Football Homecoming Dance at Gallaudet. He was at Gallaudet for five years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in math and chemistry in 1939 (Walker, 2006). Rodney was unable to attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during his five years at Gallaudet due to limited Deaf services (First Sealer serving in Salt Lake Temple, LDS Church News, August 8, 1998).
Rodney W. Walker's Kappa Gamma Fraternity Certificate, 1934
Rodney returned to Utah after graduating from Gallaudet College and working as a data integrator for the American Smelting and Refining Company for 38 years. He retired in 1978 (Walker, 2006).
Rodney W. Walker as data integrator at the American Smelting and Refining Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1968. The UAD Bulletin Summer 1968
Rodney married Georgia Hendricks in the Salt Lake Temple on October 22, 1940. They had two sons, Rodney Dale and Richard Gary. Georgia passed away on July 2, 1988. Rodney married Joan Patricia (Pat) Seegmiller at the Jordan River Temple on September 16, 1989. Pat was well-connected to the Deaf community through her son, Nathan Van De Graaf, and her late Deaf father, Carlos Seegmiller (Walker, 2006).
Georgia Hendricks & Rodney W. Walker @ FamilySearch.org
During an interview with the LDS Church News in 1998, Rodney responded by explaining how he became involved in church capacities, as follows:
"In the early 1940s, George Hill, general superintendent of the Sunday School, once asked Rodney: "As a Deaf man, where do you go to church? How many deaf, regardless of religion, live in Salt Lake City?" Rodney decided to do an informal statistical survey of the Deaf in Salt Lake City and their status in the church. The results of the survey found its way to the General Authorities of the Church. In 1948, the Sunday School of the Deaf was organized into the Salt Lake Valley Branch for the Deaf. Interestingly, the branch was first considered a foreign language branch. There, Rodney was called as branch Sunday School teacher. Several months later, the branch was transferred to the Salt Lake Park Stake and a priesthood quorum was organized. He served as a quorum instructor and counselor in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. The first ward of the Deaf, the Salt Lake Valley Ward for the Deaf, was created in 1971. He later served as bishop of this ward and the Salt Lake Park Stake High Council for thirteen years" (LDS Church News).
In addition, Rodney worked at the Jordan River and Salt Lake Temples. He credited his deep involvement in the LDS Church to his first wife, Georgia (Walker, 2006).
"In the early 1940s, George Hill, general superintendent of the Sunday School, once asked Rodney: "As a Deaf man, where do you go to church? How many deaf, regardless of religion, live in Salt Lake City?" Rodney decided to do an informal statistical survey of the Deaf in Salt Lake City and their status in the church. The results of the survey found its way to the General Authorities of the Church. In 1948, the Sunday School of the Deaf was organized into the Salt Lake Valley Branch for the Deaf. Interestingly, the branch was first considered a foreign language branch. There, Rodney was called as branch Sunday School teacher. Several months later, the branch was transferred to the Salt Lake Park Stake and a priesthood quorum was organized. He served as a quorum instructor and counselor in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. The first ward of the Deaf, the Salt Lake Valley Ward for the Deaf, was created in 1971. He later served as bishop of this ward and the Salt Lake Park Stake High Council for thirteen years" (LDS Church News).
In addition, Rodney worked at the Jordan River and Salt Lake Temples. He credited his deep involvement in the LDS Church to his first wife, Georgia (Walker, 2006).
Rodney W. Walker's statistical survey of the Deaf in Salt Lake City, 1940
Rodney, in addition to his church responsibilities, was elected president of the Utah Association of the Deaf at the 1948 convention, succeeding E. Ross Thurston. During his first year as president, he encountered numerous issues with Deaf peddlers selling "Manual Alphabet" cards, including a message with "pity" words on the back. The peddlers sold the cards by passing them to people and then returning to collect money. They would then vanish (Walker, 2006). According to President Walker, "activities of the sympathy peddlers" pose a "problem for the honest and respectful deaf people of Utah, and that the merchandise they offer is sold for more than it is worth" (Salt Lake Telegram, March 31, 1949).
Out-of-state Deaf peddlers and imposters were becoming more active in Utah towns, posing a problem for the honest and respectful Deaf people of Utah and the United States. President Walker states, "Utah is becoming known among deaf peddlers as an easy place to make money, which goes against the pride of all honest, hard-working deaf people everywhere" (Deaf Peddlers and Imposters, 1949). Thus, on April 5, 1949, he issued a warning in the Salt Lake Telegram entitled "Give Them a 49 Helping Hand, Not a Handout" against "out-of-state" deaf peddlers and imposters" who had recently been active in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and other towns in Utah (Salt Lake Telegram, April 5, 1949). He urged that tax dollars be spent on maintaining the Utah School for the Deaf and Gallaudet College to educate Deaf people and assist them in becoming respectable citizens of Utah and the United States. Many Deaf people had met the public's expectations of becoming an asset, with good jobs, families, and homes (Bulletin, April 1, 1949; Deaf Peddlers and Imposters, 1949).
Out-of-state Deaf peddlers and imposters were becoming more active in Utah towns, posing a problem for the honest and respectful Deaf people of Utah and the United States. President Walker states, "Utah is becoming known among deaf peddlers as an easy place to make money, which goes against the pride of all honest, hard-working deaf people everywhere" (Deaf Peddlers and Imposters, 1949). Thus, on April 5, 1949, he issued a warning in the Salt Lake Telegram entitled "Give Them a 49 Helping Hand, Not a Handout" against "out-of-state" deaf peddlers and imposters" who had recently been active in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and other towns in Utah (Salt Lake Telegram, April 5, 1949). He urged that tax dollars be spent on maintaining the Utah School for the Deaf and Gallaudet College to educate Deaf people and assist them in becoming respectable citizens of Utah and the United States. Many Deaf people had met the public's expectations of becoming an asset, with good jobs, families, and homes (Bulletin, April 1, 1949; Deaf Peddlers and Imposters, 1949).
Rodney W. Walker (left), Salt Lake City,
and John Glassett, (right), Murray,
exchange congratulations after being elected
officers of the Utah Association of the Deaf.
Walker is reelected president and Glassett is elected vice president
Publication Unknown
Peddlers would occasionally appear in Salt Lake City and other Utah towns. Some peddlers could hear and pretended to be deaf people to gain sympathy and make quick money. Deaf Utah residents were dissatisfied with the situation. Finally, President Walker and the association agreed that the Deaf peddlers were physically capable of working and earning their own money without the aid of others (Walker, 2006).
In April 1949, President Walker launched a campaign against professional panhandlers. UAD, in collaboration with the Utah Division of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, issued a public education campaign to stop professional Deaf peddlers' activities. Rodney W. Walker, president of UAD, John Palmer, president of the NFSD's Salt Lake Division No. 56, and Robert Welsh, president of the NFSD's Ogden Division No. 127, wrote an article titled "Do Not Give Money to Deaf Peddlers and Imposters" (Rodney, Palmer, & Welsch, The Bulletin, April 15, 1949).
President Walker also wrote an article about Deaf peddlers and mailed a copy to each newspaper publisher in most of Utah's counties. Some newspapers responded to his request by printing the articles.
Despite the publications, a few peddlers continued to beg for money in the Salt Lake City area. They avoided contact with any Deaf people because they were aware that UAD was against their practice of soliciting easy money, whereas they could work hard to earn their living (Walker 2006).
In April 1949, President Walker launched a campaign against professional panhandlers. UAD, in collaboration with the Utah Division of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, issued a public education campaign to stop professional Deaf peddlers' activities. Rodney W. Walker, president of UAD, John Palmer, president of the NFSD's Salt Lake Division No. 56, and Robert Welsh, president of the NFSD's Ogden Division No. 127, wrote an article titled "Do Not Give Money to Deaf Peddlers and Imposters" (Rodney, Palmer, & Welsch, The Bulletin, April 15, 1949).
President Walker also wrote an article about Deaf peddlers and mailed a copy to each newspaper publisher in most of Utah's counties. Some newspapers responded to his request by printing the articles.
Despite the publications, a few peddlers continued to beg for money in the Salt Lake City area. They avoided contact with any Deaf people because they were aware that UAD was against their practice of soliciting easy money, whereas they could work hard to earn their living (Walker 2006).
Newspaper articles concerning the Deaf peddlers
Fast forward to 1998, when Rodney, an 84-year-old descendant of Utah pioneers, was named the first Deaf temple sealer, according to the LDS Church News. Members were overjoyed when it was announced at the Salt Lake Park Stake conference, which included the Salt Lake Valley Ward for the Deaf, that Rodney had been called a Deaf Sealer (LDS Church News).
Rodney shared that in 1997, Salt Lake Temple President Carlos E. Asay envisioned a full Deaf program at the temple, including a Deaf sealer. A patron can receive the full beauty of the temple ordinances by using sign language (LDS Church News). He was a temple sealer until his death in 2007.
During the LDS Church News interview, Rodney stated that his first interest in genealogy began when he returned from Gallaudet College in 1935. While staying at his uncle's house, he was shown his uncle's pedigree charts, which dated back to the late 1200s. Rodney gradually invested his energy in the John Walker Family Organization after being appointed to the committee on September 14, 1947. Rodney was a major contributor to the book "Ancestry and Descendants of John Walker," published by this organization in 1953. He eventually became the executive secretary and worked tirelessly for the organization, writing the newsletter, maintaining the current addresses of over 4,300 family members, and compiling five books of family history (LDS Church News). He was the only Deaf officer of the John Walker Family Organization and spoke at the World Conference on Records in 1981 (UAD Bulletin, July 1981).
Rodney shared that in 1997, Salt Lake Temple President Carlos E. Asay envisioned a full Deaf program at the temple, including a Deaf sealer. A patron can receive the full beauty of the temple ordinances by using sign language (LDS Church News). He was a temple sealer until his death in 2007.
During the LDS Church News interview, Rodney stated that his first interest in genealogy began when he returned from Gallaudet College in 1935. While staying at his uncle's house, he was shown his uncle's pedigree charts, which dated back to the late 1200s. Rodney gradually invested his energy in the John Walker Family Organization after being appointed to the committee on September 14, 1947. Rodney was a major contributor to the book "Ancestry and Descendants of John Walker," published by this organization in 1953. He eventually became the executive secretary and worked tirelessly for the organization, writing the newsletter, maintaining the current addresses of over 4,300 family members, and compiling five books of family history (LDS Church News). He was the only Deaf officer of the John Walker Family Organization and spoke at the World Conference on Records in 1981 (UAD Bulletin, July 1981).
Rodney W. Walker working on the descendants of John Walker UAD Bulletin, June 1973
Rodney reported collecting over 16,000 names of his ancestors, and he was a distant cousin of Priscilla Burdett's first husband, Earl Rogerson (Walker, 2006). Rodney's wife, Pat, mentioned in the LDS Church News that he typed the John Walker Family Organization letter, had it printed, folded, and stapled, and sorted the letters by ZIP code. His work was truly "a labor of love" (LDS Church News). At a family reunion, he was showered with gratitude for his tireless efforts. Pat stated, "This is his way of bonding with his family." "He does it on his own," she added. "If others try to help, they interrupt his smoothly oiled system" (LDS Church News).
Rodney W. Walker & Patricia Seegmiller's 1989 Wedding
Rodney was a dependable spiritual, social, and sports leader (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011). He had long been involved in the Utah Deaf community. He was president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, a delegate to the National Association of the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, president of the Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf, president of the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, and national chairman of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf basketball tournament in Salt Lake City. He also joined the Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and the Beehive Chapter of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association (Walker, 2006). Norma Matheson, wife of Utah Governor Scott Matheson, presented him with the Golden Key Award for his outstanding achievement on May 22, 1981. The award was presented on behalf of the Governor's Committee on Handicapped Employment (UAD Bulletin, July 1981).
Rodney W. Walker, Teacher of the Year--1995-at Salt Lake Community College @ FamilySearch.org
After teaching an American Sign Language class at Salt Lake Community College since 1990, he received the college's Teaching Excellence Award in 1992. His award was inducted into the UAD Hall of Fame (UAD Bulletin, March 1993; Walker, 2006). Rodney was one of five instructors chosen from 500 adjunct instructors for the award (UAD Bulletin, July 1992). In addition, he received the Golden Hand Award for community service at the UAD conference in 1993 (UAD Bulletin, July 1993, p. 3).
Rodney passed away on August 2, 2007. He shaped himself into a man to be admired and loved. He had accomplished much; he never stopped working, giving, serving, and helping, and he never complained (Walker, 2006; Patricia Walker, personal communication, November 25, 2008).
Rodney passed away on August 2, 2007. He shaped himself into a man to be admired and loved. He had accomplished much; he never stopped working, giving, serving, and helping, and he never complained (Walker, 2006; Patricia Walker, personal communication, November 25, 2008).
Rodney W. Walker @ FamilySearch.org
Did You Know?
Carlos Watson Seegmiller, Joan Patricia Seegmiller's father, was the first Deaf graduate of Utah State University, where he earned a degree in structural engineering and architecture. He was a highway draftsman for the United States Bureau of Public Roads for 30 years. He also worked as a cartographic and landscape draftsman for the Forest Services for seven years (UAD Bulletin, July 1992).
Carlos Watson Seegmiller. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1962
Notes
Patricia Walker, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, November 25, 2008.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
References
“Beggars: Group Launches Campaign Against Professional Panhandlers.” Deseret News, April 5, 1949.
“Beggar Warning Sounded in S.L.” Salt Lake Telegram, March 31, 1949.
“CONGRATULATIONS.” UAD Bulletin, v. 16, no. 2, (July 1992): 1.
“Deaf Peddlers and Imposters.” 1949.
“Do Not Give to Deaf Peddlers And Imposters.” The Bulletin, April 1, 1949.
“First Sealer Serving in Salt Lake Temple.” Deseret News, August 8, 1988. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/31252/Deaf-sealer-serving-in-Salt-Lake-Temple.html
“Golden Hand Award.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 18, no. 2 (July 1993): 3.
“Golden Key Award Goes to Rodney Walker.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 2 (July 1981): 4.
“This Month’s Profile: Rodney Walker.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 10 (March 1993): 8.
“To A Greater Glory.” UAD Bulletin, v. 16, no. 2 (July 1992): 5.
Walker, Rodney W., Palmer, John, & Welsh, Robert. “Do Not Give Money to Deaf Peddlers and imposters.” The Bulletin,April 15, 1949.
Walker, Rodney, W. My Life Story, 2006.
“Beggar Warning Sounded in S.L.” Salt Lake Telegram, March 31, 1949.
“CONGRATULATIONS.” UAD Bulletin, v. 16, no. 2, (July 1992): 1.
“Deaf Peddlers and Imposters.” 1949.
“Do Not Give to Deaf Peddlers And Imposters.” The Bulletin, April 1, 1949.
“First Sealer Serving in Salt Lake Temple.” Deseret News, August 8, 1988. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/31252/Deaf-sealer-serving-in-Salt-Lake-Temple.html
“Golden Hand Award.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 18, no. 2 (July 1993): 3.
“Golden Key Award Goes to Rodney Walker.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 5, no. 2 (July 1981): 4.
“This Month’s Profile: Rodney Walker.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 10 (March 1993): 8.
“To A Greater Glory.” UAD Bulletin, v. 16, no. 2 (July 1992): 5.
Walker, Rodney W., Palmer, John, & Welsh, Robert. “Do Not Give Money to Deaf Peddlers and imposters.” The Bulletin,April 15, 1949.
Walker, Rodney, W. My Life Story, 2006.
Ned C. Wheeler, the Conservative Leader
From 1975 until his death in 1981, Ned C. Wheeler, a founder of the Utah Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf, oversaw the fund and scholarship awards with the assistance of a governance board. The Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf was renamed shortly after his death. Prior to his retirement in 1980, Ned worked as a civil engineer for the city of Ogden for 40 years. From 1968 until 1981, Ned served as a member and chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. He served on the National Association of the Deaf's Ways and Means Committee from 1966 to 1968, and was the convention chairman for the 1968 National Association of the Deaf conference in Las Vegas. He was even the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf's Grand Western Vice President. He was elected to the Gallaudet College Board of Trustees in 1972.
Ned C. Wheeler
Ned C. Wheeler was born in Ogden, Utah, on March 1, 1915. He was the son of L. Claude Royle and Vera Royle (Standard-Examiner, December 11, 1981). He became deaf at 13 due to spinal meningitis and transferred from Weber High School to the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1931. He graduated from USD in 1933 (Edith Wheeler, private interview with Valerie Kinney, March 9, 2009).
Ned C. Wheeler, 1935 @ FamilySerach.org
Ned C. Wheeler @ FamilySearch.org
Ned attended Gallaudet College for three years, from 1937 to 1940 (Gallaudet University Alumni Cards, 1866-1959). He returned home in the spring of 1937 and married Edith Deininger of Wisconsin on November 23, 1937. He was a member of the Gallaudet Class of 1940. It is suspected that Ned did not return to Gallaudet College as the Depression worsened.
Edith Deininger & Ned C. Wheeler @ FamilySearch.org
Ned C. Wheeler & Edith Deininger @ FamilySearch.org
According to R.W.T., an author for the USD's Utah Eagle magazine, Ned's education was completed with an emphasis in civil engineering at the University of Utah. From 1948 to 1967, he founded and ran his engineering company, Engineering Consultant, Inc. (The Utah Eagle, February 1973, p. 3). R.W.T. also stated that Ned worked as a survey engineer for several years. He began as a draftsman and later as a design engineer for the engineering division before being promoted to office engineer in 1962. Since 1938, he has worked in various drafting and engineering capacities for the country and the city (The Utah Eagle, February 1972, p. 3).
Ned C. Wheeler, a Civil Engineer. The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968
Ned worked as a civil engineer for Ogden City for 40 years before retiring in 1980. He has been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1950. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah. In 1974, the Ogden City Council recognized him as an Outstanding Public Employee (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, December 11, 1981).
Ned C. Wheeler (at right) employed as a civil engineer in 1955. The Utah Eagle, April 1955
Ned was a conservative leader (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal interview, July 8, 2011). Ned was a notable leader from the 1940s until his death in 1981. He gave a lot of his free time to various organizations. Locally, he served as president of the Utah Association of the Deaf for three years and as chairman of the Board of Directors for 15 years (Valerie Kinney, personal communication, March 9, 2009). According to "The Deaf Education History in Utah," Ned was a member and chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind from 1968 to 1981. While chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council in 1970, he was the instrument in replacing the "Y" System with the Dual Track Program, designed to give parents the option of choosing between oral and total communication.
UAD Bulletin, 1961
The 1982 Utahn Yearbook stated, "He was an inspiration to the USDB's students, patrons, and staff." Ned and his wife, Edith, were always interested in the school and strove to make it better. In addition to his prestigious accomplishments, he was always willing to get involved in the small day-to-day problems of the school. The week of his death in 1981, Ned had planned to help organize a museum for the school" (Utahn, 1982).
Ned C. Wheeler & Edith Deininger, June 1969 @ FamilySearch.org
Ned had been a member of the National Association of the Deaf's Ways and Means Committee since 1966, and he was convention chairman for the NAD conference in Las Vegas in 1968. He even served as Grand Western Vice President of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf (NFSD). He was inducted into their Hall of Fame. After helping to organize the local chapter of NFSD, he served as an officer from its inception until his appointment at the national level, precluding him from holding office at the local level (The Utah Eagle, February 1972, p. 3).
Ned C. Wheeler, Western Grand Vice President, signing at the 25th Anniversary celebration of Ogden Division No 127, 1970 @ FamilySearch.org
Ned received notification on January 27, 1972, that he had been unanimously elected to the Gallaudet College Board of Directors, effective January 20, 1972. This appointment to the board of his alma mater, the Utah School for the Deaf, was regarded as a great honor not only for Ned but also for USD and the State of Utah. This was one of the highest honors bestowed upon a former USD student, as he became the first Utahn ever to serve on the most important governing body of the world's only liberal arts college. Furthermore, two other USD graduates, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, and Celia May Laramie Baldwin, were appointed to Gallaudet's first nine-member Board of Fellows, adding to the school's pride (The Utah Eagle, February 1972).
Ned, as the founder of the Utah Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf, administered the fund and scholarship awards with a governance board from 1975 until his death in 1981. Following his death, the scholarship foundation was renamed the Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf (Edith Wheeler, private interview with Valerie Kinney, March 9, 2009).
Despite his busy schedule, he found time to hold high office in his Ogden Branch for the Deaf. Travel and woodworking were two of his favorite hobbies. While his children were small, he made wooden toys for each of them for Christmas. Before he passed away, he built a grandfather clock for Edith (The Utah Eagle, February 1972). Additionally, he enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing, and bowling (Edith Wheeler, private interview with Valerie Kinney, March 9, 2009).
Despite his busy schedule, he found time to hold high office in his Ogden Branch for the Deaf. Travel and woodworking were two of his favorite hobbies. While his children were small, he made wooden toys for each of them for Christmas. Before he passed away, he built a grandfather clock for Edith (The Utah Eagle, February 1972). Additionally, he enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing, and bowling (Edith Wheeler, private interview with Valerie Kinney, March 9, 2009).
Ned C. Wheeler @ FamilySearch.org
Notes
Edith Wheeler, private interview with Valerie Kinney, March 9, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, March 9, 2009.
Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, July 8, 2011.
Valerie Kinney, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, March 9, 2009.
References
R.W.T. “Gallaudet Board Gets USD Grad.” The Utah Eagle, Vol. 83, No. 5 (February 1972): 3.
The Utahn Yearbook, 1982.
The Utahn Yearbook, 1982.
G. Leon Curtis, the Outgoing Leader
G. Leon Curtis was a well-known hard-of-hearing LDS member both in Utah and across the country. He was president of the Utah Association of the Deaf from 1965 to 1968. During the 1965 Utah State Legislature session, he lobbied the legislature for proper deaf adult services under the Office of Rehabilitation Services, which eventually led to the founding of the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 1985, Leon and his wife, Connie's oldest daughter, Susan Ann, starred as a young hearing girl named Margaret with deaf parents in the film "Love is Never Silent," in which prominent parts were portrayed by Ed Waterstreet and Phyllis Frelich, both veteran members of the National Theatre for the Deaf.
G. Leon Curtis. The Utah Eagle. April 1955
G. Leon Curtis was born hearing to Guy A. Curtis and Agnes Rasmussen on Labor Day, September 3, 1932, at Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, Utah. He was the youngest of the five children. His siblings were Afton, Von, Dan, and Max. He was told that Afton, his Deaf sister, prayed and begged for a baby sister. When he and his mother returned home from the hospital, Afton saw him and fell in love. They had been very close since then (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Afton Curtis with her youngest brother, Leon Curtis, 1932 @ FamilySearch.org
Leon's parents brought him to Dee Memorial Hospital in 1938 for a tonsillectomy. When the surgeon removed his adenoids, he cut too deeply, which damaged his hearing. His hearing loss was not even acknowledged when he failed the second-grade spelling test at Madison Elementary School. His teacher brought him to an audiologist, who tested his hearing. Leon Curtis had hearing loss, according to a private communication from February 7, 2009.
Leon, like his Deaf sister Afton, attended the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden in 1940, where Afton and her husband, Kenneth C. Burdett, worked as teachers (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
In 1946, he began his day at Central Junior High School and progressed to Ogden High School. He went to the Utah School for the Deaf every afternoon. He graduated from Ogden High School in 1951 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Leon, like his Deaf sister Afton, attended the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden in 1940, where Afton and her husband, Kenneth C. Burdett, worked as teachers (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
In 1946, he began his day at Central Junior High School and progressed to Ogden High School. He went to the Utah School for the Deaf every afternoon. He graduated from Ogden High School in 1951 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
G. Leon Curtis, 1952 @ FamilySerach.org
Leon studied pharmacy at the University of Utah in 1952. He had difficulty deciding whether to study pharmacy or forestry service at Utah State University. In the end, he went to the pharmacy. His father had a heart attack in 1953, so he couldn't continue his education at the University of Utah. He decided to start a printing business at that time (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
In 1954, Leon graduated from Nashville, Tennessee's Southern School of Printing. He first worked for the Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City, Utah. Later, he worked for the Ogden Standard-Examiner in Ogden, Utah (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Leon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and taught seminary at the Ogden Branch for the Deaf from 1961 to 1968. From the Utah School for the Deaf, the students walked two blocks to their 6:30 a.m. class. Many of these students were able to go on a mission after finishing their education program (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009). Leon was the Deaf Seminary's first hard of hearing teacher. In 1968, he began teaching with the assistance of J. Wayne Noble and Stephen Mecham. His leadership taught the gospel orally, in sign language, and Braille. Each class had about fifteen people sign up for it, and he taught it at the branch until 1969 when he quit and returned to Weber State College (George, -, Leon Curtis, personal communication, 2013).
G. Leon Curtis teaching seminary class
After Max W. Woodbury, president of the Ogden Branch for the Deaf for 51 years, was released from the position, Leon was called branch president in 1968. He had two counselors, Kenneth L. Kinner and William Ronald Johnston, and a clerk, Arvel H. Christensen (The Ogden Standard Examiner, February 4, 1967; The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1967). He was president for one year when he decided to return to college in 1969 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
New officials of the Ogden Branch for the Deaf are G. Leon Curtis, Kenneth L. Kinner and W. Ronald Johnston.(left to right). President Curtis succeeds President Woodbury who retired after 51 years of service. Ogden Standard-Examiner, January 20, 1968
In 1972, Leon attended Weber State University and got a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology. He earned a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, in 1973. He also has a special degree in management, which he got from San Diego State University in 1990 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
After Leon graduated from the University of Arizona, he worked as a school counselor for six years at the Arizona School for the Deaf. During that time, he was also an assistant football coach. In 1976, their team won the state championship for the first time in the school's history (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
After Leon graduated from the University of Arizona, he worked as a school counselor for six years at the Arizona School for the Deaf. During that time, he was also an assistant football coach. In 1976, their team won the state championship for the first time in the school's history (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
G. Leon Curtis. UAD Bulletin, Winter, 1964
At the end of 1979, Leon was hired as the state coordinator for the deaf at the Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia, Washington. As the program grew from two to twelve staff members, he became the director of the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He was one of only three of the 12,000 people who work at DSHS to get an award. He retired from the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in October 2004. This office is part of the State Government Department of Social and Health Services (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
The Utah Athletics Club of the Deaf team at the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1962. Front row L-R: R: .J. Christensen, R. Bess, R. Potter, K. Stewart, R. Kerr; 2nd Row L-R: R. Johnston, R. Bonnell, V. Jones, A. Valdez; 3rd row, L-R: R. Loveland, K. Nelson, L. Curtis, B. Harvey, John F. White (manager/coach)
Leon was very involved in sports like basketball and softball from 1954 to 1972. He also held different jobs for the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf (NWAAD) and the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (AAAD). NWAAD and AAAD inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 1983 and 1988, respectively (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
1964 UCAD Basketball Team. District champs of Northern Athletic Association, pose with trophies: front from left, Roy Cochran, Roy Milborn, Carl Obson, middle: Bruce Harvey, Ronald Perkins, Leon Curtis, coach: Ed Bell, John White, manager: back, Norman Williams, Robert Bonnell, Jay Christensen, Eric Przybyla, and John Murray. The UAD Bulletin, February 1964
Leon was a well-known Deaf Latter-day Saint in Utah, just as he was national. Leon said that from 1965 to 1968, he was president of the Utah Association of the Deaf. He was the UAD's treasurer from 1956 to 1963 and secretary for two years. During the 1965 Utah State Legislature session, he and other UAD officers pushed for better services for Deaf adults through the Office of Rehabilitation Services. This eventually led to the establishment of the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Curtis, UAD Bulletin, Spring 1965; Sanderson, 2004). He was president of the Arizona Association of the Deaf from 1976 to 1979 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Later, Leon served as a board member for Region 4 on the NAD Board of Directors from 1984 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2004. He received the Golden Hand Award from the Washington State Association of the Deaf in 2001 and the Golden Hand Award and the Flying Fingers Award from the National Association of the Deaf in 2002 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Later, Leon served as a board member for Region 4 on the NAD Board of Directors from 1984 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2004. He received the Golden Hand Award from the Washington State Association of the Deaf in 2001 and the Golden Hand Award and the Flying Fingers Award from the National Association of the Deaf in 2002 (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
UAD Bulletin, Fall 1965
The Mayor of Lacey chose Leon to be a City of Lacey Planning Commission member from 1993 to 1997. In addition, the city hired an interpreter to help him work well with other commission members (Leon Curtis, personal communication, February 7, 2009).
Leon was the keynote speaker at the UAD Convention in 1997. During his speech, he recalled his memories of living in Utah before moving away. The National Association of the Deaf was very impressed with what the Utah Association of the Deaf had done in Utah, according to Leon (K. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3). Kristi Mortensen, a UAD Convention attendee, told us about some of the best parts of Leon's speech at the end, which she said were:
"EVERYBODY wants it,
ANYBODY can do it.
SOMEBODY had to do it, but
So
EVERYBODY will not get it,
ANYBODY cannot do it,
SOMEBODY won't do it,
Because
NOBODY is willing to do it" (D. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3)
Leon was the keynote speaker at the UAD Convention in 1997. During his speech, he recalled his memories of living in Utah before moving away. The National Association of the Deaf was very impressed with what the Utah Association of the Deaf had done in Utah, according to Leon (K. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3). Kristi Mortensen, a UAD Convention attendee, told us about some of the best parts of Leon's speech at the end, which she said were:
"EVERYBODY wants it,
ANYBODY can do it.
SOMEBODY had to do it, but
So
EVERYBODY will not get it,
ANYBODY cannot do it,
SOMEBODY won't do it,
Because
NOBODY is willing to do it" (D. Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, July 1997, p. 3)
G. Leon Curtis, 1977
Leon, then director of Washington State's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, received the Governor's Distinguished Management Leadership Award in 2003. According to the letter he received:
"…outstanding managers are invaluable assets to state government, and this award offers special recognition to those who have demonstrated excellence in the performance of their responsibilities. Your leadership, initiative, and expertise reflect your strong commitment to public service and your quality management abilities."
Leon was honored at the Governor's Mansion on June 4 of that year. He retired in August after 23 years of service (UAD Bulletin, June 2003, p. 3).
"…outstanding managers are invaluable assets to state government, and this award offers special recognition to those who have demonstrated excellence in the performance of their responsibilities. Your leadership, initiative, and expertise reflect your strong commitment to public service and your quality management abilities."
Leon was honored at the Governor's Mansion on June 4 of that year. He retired in August after 23 years of service (UAD Bulletin, June 2003, p. 3).
Connie Perkins and G. Leon Curtis, 1971
Leon had five daughters. He had Sonia and Rebecca (Becky) from his first marriage to Eleanor Kay Kinner and Susan, Marie, and Sherrie from his second marriage to Connie Perkins. They have fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (Leon Curtis, February 7, 2009, personal communication).
Susan Ann, Leon and Connie's eldest daughter starred as young Margaret, a young hearing girl with Deaf parents, in the 1985 film "Love is Never Silent." Ed Waterstreet and Phyllis Frelich, both longtime members of the National Theatre for the Deaf, played Margaret's parents. From the 1930s to the late 1960s, the film was an emotional drama that lasted over 30 years. "Love Is Never Silent" was nominated for an Emmy and aired as a Hallmark Hall of Fame special (Corry, 1985; UAD Bulletin, December 2006, p. 4).
Susan Ann, Leon and Connie's eldest daughter starred as young Margaret, a young hearing girl with Deaf parents, in the 1985 film "Love is Never Silent." Ed Waterstreet and Phyllis Frelich, both longtime members of the National Theatre for the Deaf, played Margaret's parents. From the 1930s to the late 1960s, the film was an emotional drama that lasted over 30 years. "Love Is Never Silent" was nominated for an Emmy and aired as a Hallmark Hall of Fame special (Corry, 1985; UAD Bulletin, December 2006, p. 4).
Love is Never Silent. Amazon.com
Leon wrote a poem called "Can't Hear, But..." about his feelings about being deaf in 1991. It was published in the National Association of the Deaf's main publication, the NAD Broadcaster.Leon wrote a poem called "Can't Hear, But..." about his feelings about being deaf in 1991. It was published in the National Association of the Deaf's main publication, the NAD Broadcaster.
Can’t Hear, But... By G. Leon Curtis
But I can feel...
I can’t hear the dog yelp when I step on its foot,
But I can feel the dog’s bite on my leg, or see the dog hopping around the room in pain.
I can’t hear the knocks in the motor of my car, but I can feel the rough vibration.
I can’t hear the words my daughters say on the telephone, but I can feel that they speak in a nice way.
I can’t hear my daughter’s voice in the chorus, or playing the piano, but I can feel the happiness and peace.
I can’t hear the loudness on the TV, but I can feel the vibration a few minutes later or someone will come and turn it down.
But I can see...
I can’t hear the car’s honks, but I can see the red faced angry driver behind me.
I can’t hear the doorbell, but I can see my dog barking at the door, or light blinking off and on.
I can’t hear the words, but I can see the written/printed words.
I can’t hear the man behind me asking for the time, but I can see his serious look on his face as I turn around.
I can’t hear the voice from the speaker, but I can see the interpreter relaying the message.
I can’t hear the words from a song, but I can see the singer’s faces and feel the vibration.
I can’t hear the children’s voices, but I can see their smiling faces.
I can’t hear the angry voice, but I can see angry faces.
I can’t hear the burp, but I can see the embarrassed faces.
I can’t hear the announcement, but I can see the confusion/concerned looks on the people’s faces.
I can’t hear the children arguing, or what it was about, but I can see the hurts on their faces and I will try to mend their conflicts.
I can’t hear the child cry, but I can see the tears on her face. I can’t hear evil, but I can see evil.
I can’t hear the siren from a police car or fire truck, but I can see the red lights flashing in my rear view mirror.
But I can smell...
I can’t hear the gas released from a guy’s stomach, but I can smell the gas.
I can’t hear the timer on the stove, but I can smell the burning cake.
I can’t hear, but so what! I am doing just fine!
The NAD Broadcaster and UAD Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 3. August 1991.
I can’t hear the dog yelp when I step on its foot,
But I can feel the dog’s bite on my leg, or see the dog hopping around the room in pain.
I can’t hear the knocks in the motor of my car, but I can feel the rough vibration.
I can’t hear the words my daughters say on the telephone, but I can feel that they speak in a nice way.
I can’t hear my daughter’s voice in the chorus, or playing the piano, but I can feel the happiness and peace.
I can’t hear the loudness on the TV, but I can feel the vibration a few minutes later or someone will come and turn it down.
But I can see...
I can’t hear the car’s honks, but I can see the red faced angry driver behind me.
I can’t hear the doorbell, but I can see my dog barking at the door, or light blinking off and on.
I can’t hear the words, but I can see the written/printed words.
I can’t hear the man behind me asking for the time, but I can see his serious look on his face as I turn around.
I can’t hear the voice from the speaker, but I can see the interpreter relaying the message.
I can’t hear the words from a song, but I can see the singer’s faces and feel the vibration.
I can’t hear the children’s voices, but I can see their smiling faces.
I can’t hear the angry voice, but I can see angry faces.
I can’t hear the burp, but I can see the embarrassed faces.
I can’t hear the announcement, but I can see the confusion/concerned looks on the people’s faces.
I can’t hear the children arguing, or what it was about, but I can see the hurts on their faces and I will try to mend their conflicts.
I can’t hear the child cry, but I can see the tears on her face. I can’t hear evil, but I can see evil.
I can’t hear the siren from a police car or fire truck, but I can see the red lights flashing in my rear view mirror.
But I can smell...
I can’t hear the gas released from a guy’s stomach, but I can smell the gas.
I can’t hear the timer on the stove, but I can smell the burning cake.
I can’t hear, but so what! I am doing just fine!
The NAD Broadcaster and UAD Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 3. August 1991.
G. Leon Curtis. FamilySearch.org
Leon passed away on February 11, 2021. He enjoyed reading and outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, and hunting (Obituary of G. Leon Curtis). We appreciate his lifelong services and contributions to the Utah Deaf community and the national Deaf community.
Notes
Leon Curtis, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, February 7, 2009.
Leon Curtis, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, January 9, 2013.
Leon Curtis, e-mail message to Jodi Becker Kinner, January 9, 2013.
References
“20 Years Ago.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 30.7 (December 2006): 4.
Corry, John. “'Love is Never Silent’, on deafness in a family,” December 9, 1985. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/09/arts/love-is-never-silent-on-deafness-in-a-family.html
Curtis, Leon. “The President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 6 (Spring 1965): 2.
Curtis, Leon, G. “Can’t Hear, But…”UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3 (August 1991): 14.
“From the UAD President’s Desk.” UAD Bulletin, 21.2 (July 1997): 2.
George, S.L (-).
“Honors.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.1 (June 2003): 3.
Obituary of G. Leon Curtis.
Ogden Standard Examiner, February 4, 1967.
“President Woodbury Honored For 50 Years of Service.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 5 (Winter 1967): 2.
Sanderson, R. G. “A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” March 9, 2004.
The NAD Broadcaster and UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3 (August 1991).
Corry, John. “'Love is Never Silent’, on deafness in a family,” December 9, 1985. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/09/arts/love-is-never-silent-on-deafness-in-a-family.html
Curtis, Leon. “The President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 3, no. 6 (Spring 1965): 2.
Curtis, Leon, G. “Can’t Hear, But…”UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3 (August 1991): 14.
“From the UAD President’s Desk.” UAD Bulletin, 21.2 (July 1997): 2.
George, S.L (-).
“Honors.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 27.1 (June 2003): 3.
Obituary of G. Leon Curtis.
Ogden Standard Examiner, February 4, 1967.
“President Woodbury Honored For 50 Years of Service.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 4, no. 5 (Winter 1967): 2.
Sanderson, R. G. “A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” March 9, 2004.
The NAD Broadcaster and UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 3 (August 1991).
Ronald C. Burdett, the Successful Leader
Ron C. Burdett, also known as Ron, is an Utah native. Kenneth C. Burdett and Afton Curtis, both Deaf, were his parents and both graduated and taught at the Utah School for the Deaf. Ron was raised and schooled at USD. In 1970, he earned a bachelor's degree in computer studies and accounting from Gallaudet College, and a master's degree in special education and rehabilitation from California State University, Northridge. Ron eventually found success in a variety of professions. The Ron Burdett, '70, Seminar Room, located on the second level of the Sorenson Language and Communication Center building, was named after Ron on September 29, 2016, in recognition of his numerous services to the Deaf community.
Ronald C. Burdett @ Sorenson Communications Inc
Ronald C. Burdett, known as Ron, is no stranger to Utah. He was born to Deaf parents Kenneth C. Burdett and Afton Curtis, who graduated from and taught at the Utah School for the Deaf (USD).
Ronald C. Burdett, a student at the Utah School for the Deaf, 1960s
In 1962, the school implemented a new policy that embraced the Dual Division (known as the "Y" system), which meant that all children had to start in the Oral Division and were not allowed to enter the Simultaneous Communication Division until they were 11 or in sixth grade (The Utah Eagle, February 1968; Wight, The Ogden Standard-Examiner, October 19, 1970). Ron, then a sophomore, joined other high school students in a student strike against the new Dual Track Division, which would have each track have its own separate classrooms, dormitory facilities, recess, and co-curricular activities (but not athletics) (The Utah Eagle, February 1968; The Ogden Standard-Examiner, October 19, 1970; Celia May Laramie Baldwin, personal communication, April 15, 2012). Ron was one of many students who opposed the new Dual Track Division's operation because a "wall" formed when oral and simultaneous communication students were not allowed to interact with one another.
Ron Burdett, second from the left and his classmates at the Utah School for the Deaf
Ron was finishing his junior year as the USD education system was deteriorating academically and socially, and student morale was low. In 1964, he attended his classmate Celia May Laramie Baldwin's 100th-year reunion at Gallaudet and was "sold" on attending the college. Enrolling in Gallaudet's college preparatory program would prepare him for college-level work the following year. After passing his entrance exams in the summer of 1965, he headed to Washington, DC. He enrolled as a prep student for his senior year of high school (The UAD Bulletin, Fall 1966). Ron's father, a Gallaudet College alumnus, had encouraged him to "take the plunge." He earned a bachelor's degree in computer studies and accounting from Gallaudet College in 1970 and a master's in special education and rehabilitation from California State University, Northridge.
Ron eventually achieved success in his various careers. He had been a professor and Dean of Deaf Studies and Special Services at Ohlone College, president of the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability, division director of the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division, and Vice President of Community Relations at Sorenson Communications, Inc. (UAD Bulletin, March 2006).
Ron eventually achieved success in his various careers. He had been a professor and Dean of Deaf Studies and Special Services at Ohlone College, president of the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability, division director of the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division, and Vice President of Community Relations at Sorenson Communications, Inc. (UAD Bulletin, March 2006).
Ronald C. Burdett's Gallaudet sweetheart and wife, Joyanne. The UAD Bulletin, Winter 1970
On September 29, 2016, Gallaudet University named a room after Ron Burdett, '70, who made numerous contributions to the Deaf community. The Ron Burdett, '70, Seminar Room is on the second floor of the Sorenson Language and Communication Center building. He recognized Gallaudet as a pivotal starting point for his leadership and success as a Gallaudet graduate. "Like so many students before and after me, Gallaudet offered me many opportunities to learn, lead, and pursue my goals," said Burdett at the ceremony. "Being immersed in an academic environment prepared me for my career and extracurricular activities, where I met a diverse group of people." "I didn't realize it at the time, but this was a great preparation for my future community relations work at Sorenson Communications, where I met thousands of deaf people" (Greenman, Gallaudet: On The Green, October 3, 2016).
Ron Burdett, ’70, poses next to his honorary plaque. Gallaudet News
Photo by Zhee Chatmon
What would Ron have become if it hadn't been for the Dual Division or Gallaudet University? Since graduating from Gallaudet in 1970, he has made significant contributions as an educator and administrator in the workplace. "Ron embodies advocacy, equality, and inclusion, and is a role model for our emerging deaf and hard of hearing leaders," Gallaudet President Roberta J. Cordano said (Greenman, Gallaudet: On The Green, October 3, 2016). His work ethic and leadership abilities are an inspiration to the Deaf community. Utah is fortunate to have Ron as an example of an outstanding Deaf individual who has succeeded in all his endeavors.
Aside from that, our ASL/English Bilingual Program at the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden, Utah, is named after Ron's father, Kenneth C. Burdett, in recognition of his selfless service to the school. From 1934 to 1974, he worked at the school. He was a student, Boy's Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator at USD for 52 years.
Aside from that, our ASL/English Bilingual Program at the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden, Utah, is named after Ron's father, Kenneth C. Burdett, in recognition of his selfless service to the school. From 1934 to 1974, he worked at the school. He was a student, Boy's Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator at USD for 52 years.
References
Celia May Laramie Baldwin, personal communication, April 15, 2012.
Greenname, Andrew. "Ron Burdett, '70, honored at Sorenson naming ceremony." Gallaudet: On
The Green, October 3, 2016.
"New Developments in Utah's Educational Programs for the Deaf." The Utah Eagle, vol. 79, no.
5 (February 1968): 13 – 15.
"Ron Burdett Begins New Job at Sorenson." UAD Bulletin, Vol. 29.10 (March 2006): 5-6.
"Wins UAD Award." The UAD Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Fall 1966): 1.
Wright, Ray. "Deaf Teaching Methods Debated." Ogden Standard-Examiner, October 19, 1970.
Greenname, Andrew. "Ron Burdett, '70, honored at Sorenson naming ceremony." Gallaudet: On
The Green, October 3, 2016.
"New Developments in Utah's Educational Programs for the Deaf." The Utah Eagle, vol. 79, no.
5 (February 1968): 13 – 15.
"Ron Burdett Begins New Job at Sorenson." UAD Bulletin, Vol. 29.10 (March 2006): 5-6.
"Wins UAD Award." The UAD Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Fall 1966): 1.
Wright, Ray. "Deaf Teaching Methods Debated." Ogden Standard-Examiner, October 19, 1970.
John Wallace McMills,
the Business Mind Leader
the Business Mind Leader
In 1888 at the age of six, John Wallace McMills entered the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah. While in school, he learned a variety of trades. John excelled at horseshoeing, repairing, and fabricating harnesses. Shoemaking became his life's work. Following his father's health decline, John dropped out of school to become the primary breadwinner for the McMills family. His mother relied on him for a steady source of income. John, at the age of 20, opened his first shoemaking and repair shop in Tooele, Utah, around 1902. In about 1903 or 1904, he moved his business to Mercur, Utah, to support his family. Following his marriage to Pearl Ault in 1910, John opened a new shop in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1926 and later relocated to San Francisco, California, to run his shoemaking business. Due to Pearl's health issues, he and their two daughters, Eva and Lucy, relocated to Utah to run his last business, J.W. McMills Shoe Repairing Co., located at 267 E. 5th South in Salt Lake City. John was well-known in the local business community. Furthermore, the Deaf community respected John and frequently sought his advice. In 1952, he retired and sold his business. In 1916, he was a founding member of Salt Lake City Division No. 56.
John Wallace McMills, the first Deaf-owned business, 1902
Edited by Jean Pearl Greenwood Thomas, Daughter of Lucy Pearl McMills and Virgil Rogers Greenwood. Lucy is the third child of John Wallace and Pearl Ault McMills
John Wallace McMills was born on January 9, 1882, in Grass Creek, Summit County, Utah Territory, in the United States. His birthplace was also in Almy, Wyoming. John's father, Charles Paterson McMills worked in mines. When Charles' wife, Isabella's family, moved to Utah from
Scotland, her parents, Jane McCormick Wilson and John Wallace, lived in Coalville, Utah. The home of Isabella's parents was small and not close to the mines. Isabella and Charles set up a home in a cave near the coal mine in Grass Creek. Their son, John Wallace McMills, was born in this cave. As far as we know, the entrance to Grass Creek is no longer accessible to the public.
Scotland, her parents, Jane McCormick Wilson and John Wallace, lived in Coalville, Utah. The home of Isabella's parents was small and not close to the mines. Isabella and Charles set up a home in a cave near the coal mine in Grass Creek. Their son, John Wallace McMills, was born in this cave. As far as we know, the entrance to Grass Creek is no longer accessible to the public.
John Wallace McMills as a young man
John's father, Charles, was a machinist for Her Majesty Queen Victoria aboard ships. After arriving in America, Charles worked as a mine machinist. He repaired and installed mining shafts and other equipment in mines in Wyoming and Utah. After John was born, Charles and Isabella moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Charles helped to install the shaft in the Salt Lake City Temple. After the work on the temple shaft was completed, John's family moved to Tooele, Utah, where Charles worked in the mines of Ophir and Mercur as a machinist, again working on mine shafts and equipment used in mining.
John was the eldest son of nine children. John became deaf at the age of four when he contracted meningitis. He was playing with his brothers during John's youth when he ran
through the screen door. As a result, John cut his leg on the screen door. This injury was severe and left John lame throughout his life. However, this setback did not interfere with his strong determination to live his life and do anything his mind was set to. John was a fast walker and walked everywhere he went.
When it was discovered that John was deaf, his parents enrolled him in the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1888. He learned many trades while at school. John excelled in shoemaking, repairing, and making harnesses for horses and cattle. Shoemaking became his lifelong trade.
John was the eldest son of nine children. John became deaf at the age of four when he contracted meningitis. He was playing with his brothers during John's youth when he ran
through the screen door. As a result, John cut his leg on the screen door. This injury was severe and left John lame throughout his life. However, this setback did not interfere with his strong determination to live his life and do anything his mind was set to. John was a fast walker and walked everywhere he went.
When it was discovered that John was deaf, his parents enrolled him in the Utah School for the Deaf in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1888. He learned many trades while at school. John excelled in shoemaking, repairing, and making harnesses for horses and cattle. Shoemaking became his lifelong trade.
Family of Isabella Wallace and Charles Pateson McMills: Jean Wallace, Charles Wallace, John Wallace the oldest, William Wallace, David Wallace, Ruth Wallace, Mary Wallace George Wallace, and James Wallace (James is not pictured, deceased as a baby, buried in the SLC cemetery). Parents are sitting down. Toole, Utah @ FamilySearch.org
John's father, Charles, contracted black lung while working aboard steamships in England. Charles' health was very poor during his years in America. He purchased harnesses and shoemaking and repair equipment for John in about 1902 because he could no longer work and support his family. John, at the age 20, dropped out of the Utah School for the Deaf to become a primary breadwinner for the McMills family. Other children worked as well. However, John's mother depended on him for a steady income.
In about 1902, John set up his first business in Tooele, Utah. He relocated his business to Mercur, Utah, in about 1903 or 1904, continuing to support his family. On November 30, 1904, his father, Charles, passed away from a black lung in Tooele and was buried in the family plot in Tooele, Utah.
John had a good business in Tooele. However, more money was to be made in the mining town of Mercur. Mercur began growing after the fire of 1902. John moved his shop and started another business in Mercur. John's sister, Jeannie Wallace McMills, traveled each Friday by train to Mercur to collect the money John earned for the family. While in Mercur, John spent most of his time making harnesses for horses and mules. He also produced and repaired shoes.
In about 1902, John set up his first business in Tooele, Utah. He relocated his business to Mercur, Utah, in about 1903 or 1904, continuing to support his family. On November 30, 1904, his father, Charles, passed away from a black lung in Tooele and was buried in the family plot in Tooele, Utah.
John had a good business in Tooele. However, more money was to be made in the mining town of Mercur. Mercur began growing after the fire of 1902. John moved his shop and started another business in Mercur. John's sister, Jeannie Wallace McMills, traveled each Friday by train to Mercur to collect the money John earned for the family. While in Mercur, John spent most of his time making harnesses for horses and mules. He also produced and repaired shoes.
Family of Isabella Wallace and Charles Pateson McMills: Jean Wallace, Charles Wallace, John Wallace the oldest, William Wallace, David Wallace, Ruth Wallace, Mary Wallace George Wallace, and James Wallace (James is not pictured, deceased as a baby, buried in the SLC cemetery). Parents are sitting down. Toole, Utah
John Wallace McMills first shop was in the Tooele Family home of Charles and Isabella McMills
John's sister, Jeannie, met Pearl Ault in Mercur and introduced them. John already knew Pearl. They were former classmates. John and Pearl were dating each other. Pearl worked as a cook in the boarding house run by her sister Rachel Ault Elton. John's mother, Isabella, was not pleased to learn he was dating a girl.
John's mother expected John to stay with her all her life as a single male adult. Nevertheless, John and Pearl's friendship blossomed into love. John's mother did everything she could to stop the marriage between John and Pearl. Isabella even made John move to Salt Lake City, Utah, and relocate his business. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Isabella wanted a home, so she arranged with a wood mill to provide the lumber and equipment necessary, and John built his mother, a house and a large chicken coop on Lake Street in Salt Lake City. The skills of woodworking and building were also learned at the deaf school. John found work and started working at a local shoe repair shop in Salt Lake City until he could secure his shop.
John married Pearl Ault on June 15, 1910. His mother, Isabella, refused to allow Pearl to live in the house when he brought her home, so John and Pearl lived in the chicken coop until Isabella finally relented and allowed Pearl into the house. John and his mother had turbulent discussions regarding John's shop and living quarters. Isabella wanted to sell dry goods in John's shop. He refused his mother's demands. Realizing Isabella had no power over her son John, she needed additional income and began searching for other options.
During Isabella's search for income, she met a former acquaintance from Scotland, Robert Campbell. She married him. Shortly after their marriage, Isabella and Robert moved to San Francisco, California, where most of Isabella and Charles' sons had already relocated.
John's mother expected John to stay with her all her life as a single male adult. Nevertheless, John and Pearl's friendship blossomed into love. John's mother did everything she could to stop the marriage between John and Pearl. Isabella even made John move to Salt Lake City, Utah, and relocate his business. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Isabella wanted a home, so she arranged with a wood mill to provide the lumber and equipment necessary, and John built his mother, a house and a large chicken coop on Lake Street in Salt Lake City. The skills of woodworking and building were also learned at the deaf school. John found work and started working at a local shoe repair shop in Salt Lake City until he could secure his shop.
John married Pearl Ault on June 15, 1910. His mother, Isabella, refused to allow Pearl to live in the house when he brought her home, so John and Pearl lived in the chicken coop until Isabella finally relented and allowed Pearl into the house. John and his mother had turbulent discussions regarding John's shop and living quarters. Isabella wanted to sell dry goods in John's shop. He refused his mother's demands. Realizing Isabella had no power over her son John, she needed additional income and began searching for other options.
During Isabella's search for income, she met a former acquaintance from Scotland, Robert Campbell. She married him. Shortly after their marriage, Isabella and Robert moved to San Francisco, California, where most of Isabella and Charles' sons had already relocated.
John Wallace McMills Shop in Mercur, Utah about 1906
John secured a new shop on December 14, 1926, located at 261 East and 5th South in Salt Lake City. With business booming for John, tragedy struck the family in late 1927. John was out late working on his car. There was no electricity in the garage where he was working. John used a
kerosene lantern while he worked on his car. It was late, and Pearl sent her daughter, Lucy, to get her father for supper. Lucy told her father that her mother wanted John and Lucy to return home. Somehow, the kerosene lantern set fire to the car John was working on, and he was severely burned on the right side of his body and his right hand. John was rushed to the hospital. The burns were so severe on his hand that the doctors wanted to amputate his right hand. Eva, John's eldest daughter, protested, but the doctors were determined. Eva called Uncle Charlie John's brother. Uncle Charlie told the doctors that they could not amputate his right hand. He insisted and told the doctors they would cut off his hand, which he earned a living with and communicated in sign language. Uncle Charlie was forceful! The doctors reluctantly agreed to Charlie's demands, wrapped John's right hand in bandages, and sent him home.
When the bandages were removed, it was apparent that all the fingers on John's right hand had grown together. As a result, his hand was completely immobile. Unable to work, John's brothers, Charles (who lives in Utah) and David (who lives in San Francisco), sent John by train to his brother David's home. David found a specialist that could operate on John's hand to separate and rehabilitate it. While John was in San Francisco, Pearl and John's two daughters, Eva and Lucy, went to live in Cedar Fort, Utah, with Pearl's sister, Mamie Ault Calton.
While John was recovering from surgery on his hand, he searched for a place in San Francisco where he could set up his business again. Finally, he found a great location, wrote to Pearl, and told her he had found a place where he could set up a business and never move back to Utah. John worked in a movie theater with his brother, David, to secure enough money for train fares for his wife, Pearl, and the girls to travel to San Francisco. Uncle David's home was
not very large, so Eva was sent to San Bruno to take care of her grandmother, Isabella. Pearl became a live-in cook and housekeeper for Mr. Comosie, a businessman in San Francisco. Lucy and John stayed with David's family. Life was hard in San Francisco. Everyone had to work.
kerosene lantern while he worked on his car. It was late, and Pearl sent her daughter, Lucy, to get her father for supper. Lucy told her father that her mother wanted John and Lucy to return home. Somehow, the kerosene lantern set fire to the car John was working on, and he was severely burned on the right side of his body and his right hand. John was rushed to the hospital. The burns were so severe on his hand that the doctors wanted to amputate his right hand. Eva, John's eldest daughter, protested, but the doctors were determined. Eva called Uncle Charlie John's brother. Uncle Charlie told the doctors that they could not amputate his right hand. He insisted and told the doctors they would cut off his hand, which he earned a living with and communicated in sign language. Uncle Charlie was forceful! The doctors reluctantly agreed to Charlie's demands, wrapped John's right hand in bandages, and sent him home.
When the bandages were removed, it was apparent that all the fingers on John's right hand had grown together. As a result, his hand was completely immobile. Unable to work, John's brothers, Charles (who lives in Utah) and David (who lives in San Francisco), sent John by train to his brother David's home. David found a specialist that could operate on John's hand to separate and rehabilitate it. While John was in San Francisco, Pearl and John's two daughters, Eva and Lucy, went to live in Cedar Fort, Utah, with Pearl's sister, Mamie Ault Calton.
While John was recovering from surgery on his hand, he searched for a place in San Francisco where he could set up his business again. Finally, he found a great location, wrote to Pearl, and told her he had found a place where he could set up a business and never move back to Utah. John worked in a movie theater with his brother, David, to secure enough money for train fares for his wife, Pearl, and the girls to travel to San Francisco. Uncle David's home was
not very large, so Eva was sent to San Bruno to take care of her grandmother, Isabella. Pearl became a live-in cook and housekeeper for Mr. Comosie, a businessman in San Francisco. Lucy and John stayed with David's family. Life was hard in San Francisco. Everyone had to work.
John Wallace McMills and Pearl Ault wedding, June 15, 1910 @ FamilySearch.org
As it happened, Emma, David's wife, and Mary John's sister, decided to put Lucy in a Catholic orphanage. Lucy heard them talking. This hurt Lucy deeply. With her sister Eva gone, her mother gone, and her father working, she felt alone and afraid. While sitting outside, Lucy cried her little heart out. When David got home, he asked Lucy why she was crying. Lucy told Uncle David of the plan to put her in an orphanage. David was furious with his wife and sister. Then, Lucy was sent to live with her mother at Mr. Comosie's house. Lucy had to be very quiet and remain unseen while Pearl was working. Lucy was grateful and much happier with her mother.
Tragedy again struck the family when Pearl's appendix burst while working for Mr. Comosie in San Francisco. When she got to the hospital, the doctors immediately performed the surgery. Unfortunately, it appeared that during surgery, Pearl had passed away. The doctors stitched up Pearl's wound from the surgery and had her taken to the morgue. Pearl removed the silver dollars from her eyes while in the morgue. When one of the orderlies noticed Pearl moving, he rushed her to a room where they were warming Pearl's body temperature. The doctors told John that Pearl could not live in San Francisco because the weather was too damp, and she would not be able to recover from pneumonia she contracted from her surgery.
Tragedy again struck the family when Pearl's appendix burst while working for Mr. Comosie in San Francisco. When she got to the hospital, the doctors immediately performed the surgery. Unfortunately, it appeared that during surgery, Pearl had passed away. The doctors stitched up Pearl's wound from the surgery and had her taken to the morgue. Pearl removed the silver dollars from her eyes while in the morgue. When one of the orderlies noticed Pearl moving, he rushed her to a room where they were warming Pearl's body temperature. The doctors told John that Pearl could not live in San Francisco because the weather was too damp, and she would not be able to recover from pneumonia she contracted from her surgery.
John McMills and his daughter, Lucy Pearl
After this long ordeal, John was convinced that they must return to Utah and again start their business on 5th South, Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, when they arrived, the person renting John's equipment and shop would not return the shop and equipment. John worked long and hard to regain ownership of his shop. Finally, the shop and equipment were returned with the
help of Bishop Fetzer of the Salt Lake City 8th Ward, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The depression had begun by the time John restarted his business. He started to train the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as apprentices in the shoemaking and repair trade in exchange for commodities and some financial compensation from the church. John also taught local hearing men the trade to earn extra money. John was tenacious and full of determination all his life. He would not be discouraged or distracted from his goals. Eva, John's daughter, was the only person John could interpret for him. She had to fingerspell every word for John. If spelling accuracy were required, Eva would interpret. If John could not understand a word, he would use his dictionary to ensure he understood everything relating to his dealings with people who could hear. John did not like people who could hear because they would try to cheat him or undercut his price. One day, his granddaughter, Jean, realized she was a "hearing" person. Crushed at the thought that she was a hearing person, she asked her mother, Lucy, about this. Lucy told Jean, "You're not a hearing person. Grandpa loves you very much. "Don't you doubt that Grandpa loves you and you are not hearing."
John was a stickler for well-made shoes. Each fall, when school started, Jean and her brothers and sisters would have to line up with their new shoes in hand for their grandfather John McMills to inspect. Their mother, Lucy, waited and held her breath, hoping the shoes would meet with her father's approval. Often, John would make the sign for "no good" (right index and middle fingers held together, drawn across the palm) and then make a fist with his right hand,
hitting his palm. Lucy would lower her head and shake it; oh no, her father would toss the
shoes back at us one by one. Buying shoes for school was a nightmare and a struggle between the latest fashions and good old saddle oxfords!
help of Bishop Fetzer of the Salt Lake City 8th Ward, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The depression had begun by the time John restarted his business. He started to train the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as apprentices in the shoemaking and repair trade in exchange for commodities and some financial compensation from the church. John also taught local hearing men the trade to earn extra money. John was tenacious and full of determination all his life. He would not be discouraged or distracted from his goals. Eva, John's daughter, was the only person John could interpret for him. She had to fingerspell every word for John. If spelling accuracy were required, Eva would interpret. If John could not understand a word, he would use his dictionary to ensure he understood everything relating to his dealings with people who could hear. John did not like people who could hear because they would try to cheat him or undercut his price. One day, his granddaughter, Jean, realized she was a "hearing" person. Crushed at the thought that she was a hearing person, she asked her mother, Lucy, about this. Lucy told Jean, "You're not a hearing person. Grandpa loves you very much. "Don't you doubt that Grandpa loves you and you are not hearing."
John was a stickler for well-made shoes. Each fall, when school started, Jean and her brothers and sisters would have to line up with their new shoes in hand for their grandfather John McMills to inspect. Their mother, Lucy, waited and held her breath, hoping the shoes would meet with her father's approval. Often, John would make the sign for "no good" (right index and middle fingers held together, drawn across the palm) and then make a fist with his right hand,
hitting his palm. Lucy would lower her head and shake it; oh no, her father would toss the
shoes back at us one by one. Buying shoes for school was a nightmare and a struggle between the latest fashions and good old saddle oxfords!
John secured a position at the Standard Repairing Company, to support his family until he could regain his own business
John continued to work for his own business until 1952. Then he retired and sold his business. You can see the damage to his right hand in this photo. The only finger he lost was the little finger on his right hand.
Eva worked for her father until she secured employment at fourteen and worked for various department stores in Salt Lake City. John was well-known to businesses in that area. In addition, the Deaf community respected John and would visit him often for advice. Eventually, Lucy worked for her father in the shop. She polished and dyed shoes every day after school until she married in 1936.
John was an avid reader. John was never without the Bible and the dictionary; these books were always by his side. His favorite books to read were detective stories, and he especially enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock movies. When visiting Grandpa McMills and Auntie Eva, Jean accompanied her grandfather to the movies on Saturday afternoons. John taught Sunday school at the LDS Deaf Ward in Salt Lake City, on 5th South and 8th East. Jean remembers watching her grandfather teach his class. John loved walking, and Jean would walk up 5th South to meet her grandfather and walk home after early morning priesthood meetings.
Eva worked for her father until she secured employment at fourteen and worked for various department stores in Salt Lake City. John was well-known to businesses in that area. In addition, the Deaf community respected John and would visit him often for advice. Eventually, Lucy worked for her father in the shop. She polished and dyed shoes every day after school until she married in 1936.
John was an avid reader. John was never without the Bible and the dictionary; these books were always by his side. His favorite books to read were detective stories, and he especially enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock movies. When visiting Grandpa McMills and Auntie Eva, Jean accompanied her grandfather to the movies on Saturday afternoons. John taught Sunday school at the LDS Deaf Ward in Salt Lake City, on 5th South and 8th East. Jean remembers watching her grandfather teach his class. John loved walking, and Jean would walk up 5th South to meet her grandfather and walk home after early morning priesthood meetings.
John made these business cards for his show repairing shop
John took pictures of his family often. He had his cameras, tripods, and a dark room to develop the pictures in his tiny apartment bathroom in Salt Lake City, and he also had a darkroom made especially for him in Lucy's home in Ogden.
John Wallace McMills was fun-loving and such a tease. He always made everyone laugh. He loved playing checkers and always had time for games with his grandchildren. He loved his family, friends, and little children. John particularly loved Billy and took him under his wing. Billy Billiter was a little deaf boy. His father was Ferda Billiter. Billy was not only deaf; he had an additional disability.
John Wallace McMills was fun-loving and such a tease. He always made everyone laugh. He loved playing checkers and always had time for games with his grandchildren. He loved his family, friends, and little children. John particularly loved Billy and took him under his wing. Billy Billiter was a little deaf boy. His father was Ferda Billiter. Billy was not only deaf; he had an additional disability.
John Wallace McMills, Lucy Pearl McMills, and her husband, Virgil Rogers Greenwood
John's 90th birthday party was held on January 9, 1972, at the Salt Lake Valley Branch for the Deaf. John was so happy and thrilled to meet and greet all his many friends wishing him well. He often brushed the tears from his eyes and giggled as his friends came through. John passed away that same year, in June 1972.
Jean Pearl Greenwood Thomas, a well-known interpreter in Utah, is the daughter of Lucy Pearl McMills and Virgil Rogers Greenwood. Her mother, Lucy, also an interpreter, is the third child of Deaf parents, John Wallace McMillis and Pearl Ault. John and Pearl McMills' first baby, John Ault McMills, died shortly after birth. He is buried at Cedar Fort. John and Pearl had three children: John Ault, Eva Alice, and Lucy Pearl.
Jean Pearl Greenwood Thomas, a well-known interpreter in Utah, is the daughter of Lucy Pearl McMills and Virgil Rogers Greenwood. Her mother, Lucy, also an interpreter, is the third child of Deaf parents, John Wallace McMillis and Pearl Ault. John and Pearl McMills' first baby, John Ault McMills, died shortly after birth. He is buried at Cedar Fort. John and Pearl had three children: John Ault, Eva Alice, and Lucy Pearl.
John Wallace McMills @ FamilySearch.org
The information collected for this account is from letters written between Pearl Ault McMills and her husband, John Wallace McMills. The letters are in the possession of Jean Greenwood Thomas. In addition, family histories are written by Lucy Pearl McMills and Eva Alice McMills Prudence Fowler (Eva is one person with three last names). The comma should be after Fowler. Oral histories were passed on by Pearl Ault McMills, John Wallace McMills, Eva Alice McMills, Lucy Pearl McMills, and Linda Alice Greenwood. Jean Pearl Greenwood Thomas learned about her grandfather, John W. McMills, through personal experiences.
John Wallace McMills was a founding member of Salt Lake City Division No. 56., an insurance company, founded for and by Deaf community members. After an unknown dispute, John resigned from FRAT. Members of the Utah Fraternal Society of the Deaf. John Wallace McMills is the first person sitting on the left