Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men

Biographies of Prominent
Utah Deaf Men

Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2012

Acknowledgement

Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1933-36

I would like to acknowledge and extend my heartfelt gratitude to Valerie Kinney for her vital support by donating her time proofreading this document as well as 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 the hard-to-find archive collection 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 would like to thank Dr. Robert G. Sanderson (through Valerie Kinney), Kenneth C. Kinner, and Doug Stringham for recommending names of prominent individuals.

I also would like to 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 wish to thank my colleague, James Fenton for recommending me to add a brief summary of each biography.

Additionally, special thanks should be given to those sources close to the subjects of these biographies who helped provided biographical details about them.

Finally, words alone cannot express the thanks I owe to my husband, Duane Kinner, and my children, Joshua and Danielle, for their support and patience in completing this project.

Without their help, completion of the “Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men” document would not be possible. Thanks once again.

Why Does The Biographies of
Prominent Utah Deaf Matter?

Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, 1928-30

“Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Men” gives the ASL community, especially the young deaf generation, the opportunity to learn about their local Utah Deaf role models. By observing the leadership skills of those in the past, upcoming generations learn to become effective advocates for causes. Additionally, they may be motivated to become literate, educated, successful and productive members of society.

The Deaf Utahns described in these pages are appreciated for their hard work, persistent dedication, and determination to improve Deaf people’s quality of life. Because of my love for reading biographies of inspirational people, it is my hope that these biographies inspire the audience to become like them.

My hat is off to these leaders for their unselfish devotion to our Utah Deaf community as well as for promoting Utah’s reputation outside of the state.

Jodi Becker Kinner

“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~

Note

Religion is mentioned in this biography document because Utah is home to a rich history of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, and its influence on the Utah Deaf community is significant. Other religions are also included, as not all individuals who are part of the biographies are affiliated with the LDS Church.

It is my hope that the family members of the subjects of these biographies will find this information helpful for historical preservation and genealogy research purposes. Additionally, it can help preserve the biography's life story for future generations to appreciate and remember.

Henry C. White

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Edward M. Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College, Henry C. White was appointed principal of the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in 1884 in Salt Lake City by Dr. John R. Park, president of the University of Utah. He remained at USD as a teacher, principal and head teacher until 1890. In 1911, Henry founded the Arizona School for the Deaf atthe University of Arizona, an arrangement similar to the one in Utah.

Photo courtesy of Gallaudet University Achieves

Biography of Henry C. White (PDF)

Paul Mark

In 1915, Paul Mark became the president of the Utah Association of the Deaf and served 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 his shoe shop called “Dunn and Bradstreet” on 25th Street in Ogden, Utah and spent his spare time driving his Peerless motor car. In 1920, Paul was the most popular leader of the Utah Deaf community. If the members of the Deaf community wanted to know the latest news among the Deaf, they would invariably call on Mark. He held the meetings in his shoe shop and invited Deaf members to the meeting from many miles around.

Biography of Paul Mark (PDF)

John H. Clark

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, he was elected editor-in-chief of the college publication, Buff and Blue and also wrote stories for it. 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. In 1906, he was appointed by the United States government as surveyor for some special work in Southern Utah. His appointment came as recognition for excellent past service in surveying for Uncle Sam.

Biography of John H. Clark (PDF)

Ray G. Wenger & Arthur W. Wenger

Arthur & Ray Wenger

In 1938, Ray and Arthur Wenger established a Wenger Laboratories, a bacteriological-chemical laboratory in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Since its establishment in 1938, their laboratory quickly gained a favorable reputation among doctors and professional people. The Arthur Wenger Athletic Association, a club for the older boys, was organized in 1919 and named in honor of Arthur, one of the school’s outstanding graduates. Despite the heavy demands of the twins’ employment, they found time to be of much service to the deaf. Arthur was a past president of the Utah Association of the Deaf and was also a lifetime member of the association. Ray was made a lifetime member of the association in 1957, in recognition of his many years of service on behalf of the Deaf, particularly in the field of education. Ray had also served on the Advisory Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

Biography of Ray G. Wenger & Arthur W. Wenger (PDF)

Kenneth C. Burdett

The ASL/English Bilingual program at the Ogden Campus was named in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett who had a long history connected to the Utah School for the Deaf (USD). Kenneth C. contributed unselfish service to the USD. He served the school for four decades from 1934 to 1974. He spent his fifty-two years at the USD as a student, Boy’s Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator. Throughout his lifetime and remarkable career, Kenneth gave unselfish service to USD. In addition, he was an active member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf.

Dr. Robert G. Sanderson

In 1974, Robert G. Sanderson earned a Doctor of Education degree from Brigham Young University (BYU). He has the distinction of being the first totally Deaf person in Utah and the only USD graduate to earn a doctorate. From 1965 to 1985, Dr. Sanderson served as the first state coordinator of services to Deaf people through the Division of Rehabilitation Services. He pioneered job training and job placement for Deaf adults in Utah. He was the first Deaf professional hired by the Utah State Board of Education for this coordinator position. In 1983, Dr. Sanderson was appointed the first director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf. On October 4, 2003 - 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” in recognition of his efforts in behalf of the Deaf community.

Biography of Dr. Robert G Sanderson (PDF)

Joseph B. Burnett

Joseph B. Burdett

Joseph B. Burnett was exceptionally bright, and his father taught him to read at an early age. His father enrolled him at the Utah School for the Deaf when he was five years old, in 1918. After he passed the college entrance examination, he left for Gallaudet College in 1933, without completing his high school courses. In 1937, he graduated from Gallaudet College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and became an engineer. Joseph is believed to be the first Deaf person in Utah to get cochlear implant in 1975.

Biography of Joseph B. Burnett (PDF)

W. David Mortensen

W. David Mortensen graduated from the University of Utah in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, later receiving a master‘s degree in social work in 1982. He was the first Deaf certified social worker in Utah and was employed as a counselor for the deaf at Valley Mental Health. He worked nights at the Newspaper Agency Corporation. David was an ambitious and persistent leader in the Utah Association of the Deaf. Despite his busy schedules with work and family, he managed to find the time to serve as president from 1971-1985, 1987- 1991, 1993-1997, a total of 22 years. No one has beaten his record and he is the longest serving president in the association. David is best known for his work as a political activist lobbying the legislators to get laws passed, hosting rallies for causes, writing news articles, and explaining the needs of the deaf.

Biography of W. David Mortensen (PDF)

John "Jack" F. White

John "Jack" F. White had been active in Utah sports for more than 40 years. He held all offices in the Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf, but was the best remembered for his years as player, coach, manager and athletic director of Utah Athletic Club of the Deaf (UCAD) teams. He also held nearly all the offices of the UCAD and had always been a stalwart booster of the club and community. He had been an American Athletic Association of the Deaf delegate 5 times to national tournaments. Jack’s contribution to the climate of sports and sportsmanship has left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

Biography of John "Jack" F. White (PDF)

Rodney W. Walker

Rodney W. Walker had long been actively making contributions in the Utah Deaf community. He served as president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, 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. In addition, he joined the Salt Lake City Division No. 56 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, United Utah Organizations of the Deaf, and Beehive Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association.

Biography of Rodney W. Walker (PDF)

Ned C. Wheeler

Ned C. Wheeler, as a founder of Utah Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf, administered the fund and scholarship awards, with a governance board, from 1975 until his death in 1981. Not long after his death, the scholarship foundation was renamed Ned C. Wheeler Scholarship Foundation for the Deaf. Ned had served as a civil engineer with the Ogden City for 40 years prior his retirement in 1980. Ned was on the Governor’s Advisory Council to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind as a member as well as chairman from 1968 to 1981. Nationally, he served as a member of the Ways and Means Committee of the National Association of the Deaf since 1966 and was convention chairman for the National Association of the Deaf conference in Las Vegas in 1968. He even served as Grand Western Vice President of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. In 1972, he was appointed to Board of Directors of Gallaudet College.

Biography of Ned C. Wheeler (PDF)

G. Leon Curtis

G. Leon Curtis was as well-known hard of hearing LDS individual in the state of Utah as he was nationally. From 1965 to 1968, he served as president of the Utah Association of the Deaf. During the 1965 Utah State Legislature session, he, as UAD president along with other UAD officers, lobbied the legislature for adequate services for the deaf adults under the Office of Rehabilitation Services, which eventually led to the formation of the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 1985, Leon and his wife, Connie’s oldest daughter, Susan Ann, in a film, “Love is Never Silent,” played a young hearing girl named Margaret with deaf parents, played by top roles, Ed Waterstreet and Phyllis Frelich, longtime members of the National Theatre for the Deaf. Photo courtesy of the UAD Bulletin, Summer 1968.

Biography of G. Leon Curtis (PDF)

Ronald C. Burdett

Ronald C. Burdett, known as Ron, is no stranger to Utah. He was born to Deaf parents, Kenneth C. Burdett and Afton Curtis, who both graduated and taught at the Utah School for the Deaf. Through Ron’s parents, he grew up and was educated at USD. He graduated from Gallaudet College in 1970 majoring in computer studies and accounting and obtained a master’s degree in special education and rehabilitation from California State University, Northridge. Ultimately, Ron became successful in his varied careers. On September 29, 2016, Gallaudet University honored many contributions of Ron to the Deaf community, by naming a room after him – the Ron Burdett, ‘70, Seminar Room, located on the second floor of the Sorenson Language and Communication Center building.

Photo courtesy of the Sorenson Communications Inc

Biography of Ronald C. Burdett (PDF)