Sagas of My Life By Thor Leifson

Chapter 4

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES

Sagas of My Life

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES

It would seem safe to say that few people have had the variety contrast with the tack many fathers take in trying to push
of really interesting work assignments in their lives that would their children into fields they are really not interested in
be equal to what I have experienced. And another unusual pursuing. I always tried to follow my father’s direction in
thing, to which I alluded to earlier, in connection with the counseling my own children in this regard.
varied working duties throughout my life, is the fact that
never once did I find it necessary to seek employment; for, My very first line of work in my youth was with my father
strangely enough, I was always offered one job after another in the construction trades. He was, in my view, as well as
from which I was able to select and choose. the view of many others, tremendously skilled and very
successful as a carpenter and building contractor. I must
While just a young lad I remember talking to my father have been only about 6 or 7 years of age when he began
about what line of work he felt I might be best suited for. I taking me to work with him. My older brother Ted and
recall being quite frustrated with him because, even after I I were usually given the task of “cleaning lumber.” This
explained that no one knew me and my talents (whatever or involved taking the lumber which had been used for
however limited they might have been) better than he, still I concrete forms, usually 1 x 8 and 1 x 10 inch material,
couldn’t get him to tell me what he thought I should choose placing several pieces on saw horses and then pounding
as a profession or life’s work. What he did say was that this was the nails back through from the one side and then pulling
such an important decision in anyone’s life that each person them from the other side of each piece of lumber. In
simply had to decide what work he most enjoyed and then to the early years we would also straighten the nails for
seek the very best training for whatever that line of endeavor reuse. After we removed the nails, the lumber was then
might be. Obviously, he could see my disappointment in his stacked to be used later as floor decking or sheathing on
being unwilling to be more involved in my decision. He then the walls and roof. Often when we boys arrived on a job
looked directly at me and gave me, what I’ve always felt, was site, the pile of lumber to be cleaned seemed as high as
really excellent advice. a mountain. This was very good training at an early age
and, as we grew older, the tasks Dad gave us also grew
“My boy,” he stated very solemnly, “you certainly are a good more and more challenging until, by the time I was about
worker and you are quick and yet meticulous in whatever 17, I felt I could handle almost any carpentry assignment
work I’ve seen you do. Therefore, if you can keep these about as well as any of the other men on Dad’s crew. I must
qualities and always put in a full day’s effort in whatever have shown signs of being a bit too “big for my britches” at
you decide to do, you will never lack for opportunities in this time, for I remember one day Dad apparently decided
whichever field of work you decide to go into.” I’ve always to humble me by assigning me to put in some forms on
remembered Dad’s advice and how wise he was. What a my own for a concrete porch we had to pour. He said the

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Employment Experiences

concrete truck was to be there in two hours so I had to have salary was the opportunity to ride his fine, little roan pony
it ready by then. I had worked with him and other older all day in accomplishing my job! I would have paid him to
carpentry crewmen numerous times in putting together do that. After a couple of weeks, however, the task actually
such forms, but had never done them by myself. It was a became a bit boring, for the stock only had to be moved every
very frustrating but excellent, learning experience for me. hour or so to new grazing ground and then they would bed
I barely had the form work completed when the concrete down during the middle of the day and I had very little to
truck arrived, so everything turned out alright. However, do to bide my time. It was then that I began checking books
after that experience, I paid much closer attention with out of our public library and I would read them during these
each task I worked on with the “old pros” of our crew. slow times of the day. This was probably where I developed
my love for reading, so it proved to be a very good job in a
Also during my early youth I was asked by Grandpa number of ways. Also I actually earned enough money to
Bradford to help him on his ranch and farmland. My be able to buy an old, used bicycle for about $6.00 as well
earliest chore was riding and steering his large work horses as pay for some of my clothes for school that fall. I’m sure
which pulled the plows, furrowers and cultivators, while my parents appreciated that. I repaired and repainted the
Grandpa would walk behind this equipment. He made me bike and really thought I was something special on my new
feel especially important and vital to his work. He taught wheels. During these years of my youth I worked for several
me the terms “gee and haw” in guiding the horses to the different farmers. The one who gave me the most varied and
right or left. Another task with him, while I was very young interesting experiences, besides my grandfather and Uncle
and wiry, was climbing to the top of the highest branches Jack, was Cap Larsen who had a farm southwest of the little
of the many fruit trees in his large orchard and reach as far community of Leland. One experience with Cap, which I
as I possibly could to glean the seemingly best of the fruit. described in a previous history, was so very interesting that I
Later, I thinned, weeded and topped sugar beets; cut, raked, will insert it hereafter in this account as well.
pitched and hauled hay and peas; irrigated the different
crops and did a myriad of other related farming tasks. Learning to Drive with Cap Larsen
Just as with my carpentry assignments, my farming tasks
increased in responsibility as I advanced in age. Grandpa An event relating to farming work in my early youth, which
must have bragged about my work habits for I noticed that I could never forget, was the first experience I had driving
other farmer friends of his began to ask me if I would come a vehicle; in this case a one-ton truck. Perry Larson, whose
work for them, and this was especially appealing because nickname was “Cap,” asked me to work for him during the
they were actually willing to pay me for doing these fun and summer when I must have been about 12 years of age. He
interesting things on their farms. lived just one block east of us and he also kept a fine riding
horse, which seemed to have been quite a determining
I could never forget the first “paid” job I had as a young factor in the decision as to whom I accepted to work for
cowboy. Roy Barton, who lived only three blocks from our when I was a young boy. Cap had a large farm in Leland
home, asked me if I’d come and work for him when I must about 4 miles southwest of our town. Cap had been a
have been about ten or eleven years of age. He wanted me to semi-pro baseball player but now was a farmer and also a
herd his cows and sheep in the foothills above the area where cattleman. He would usually feed out a dozen or so head
Grandpa Wm. Jex had his ranch and where Spanish Fork of cattle in a large corral behind his home in town, but fed a
City now has a lovely park and golf course. Roy offered me much larger herd of perhaps 50 or more at his farm. So we
25 cents plus a peanut butter & jelly sandwich each day for harvested a lot of hay, especially for the cattle there at the
this all-summer job. Even more attractive than this ample (?) farm. I’ll relate later an incident that happened to me with a

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Sagas of My Life

run-a-way team and a hay wagon, which was quite scary for a very heavy sigh of relief. Now, once again I shook Cap
me, but also a good learning, experience. very hard and he gave a feeble response. After some time,
I was able to help him into the house and I was surprised
Things started out really well early in the summer and then to see him splash water in his face and all over everything
personal tragedy struck in the Larson home. Cap’s beautiful near by. We then sat and chatted. I remember him telling
wife, Marie, who had given him two adorable little children, me very matter-of-factly that I shouldn’t be too critical of
suddenly passed away. Cap was completely devastated and him for he was quite certain that someday I would do just
soon began drinking, I suppose, in an attempt to bury his what he had done that day. That left a lasting impression
sorrows. He usually covered his problem fairly well, but in my mind and I was determined that what he said would
one day, while we were harvesting hay, he kept nipping at never come to pass, and thankfully it never has. When he
a bottle he had brought with him. Having had no previous regained more of his senses, he couldn’t believe that I had
experience with an inebriated person, I was really confused been able to drive us all the way home from the farm, and
as to what to do about the situation. Cap became more and several times thereafter he asked me to tell him once again
more drowsy and it was almost impossible to understand all of the details as I remembered them.
what he was saying to me. I thought he was ill and helped
him get into the cab of the truck. He insisted on getting in Cap later told me a number of times that I had said
on the passenger side and seemed to mumble that I should something in one of our chats about his needing to do more
drive us home. I then left him and, after unharnessing and with and for his two little kids and this had really helped him
putting the horses in the corral, feeding the livestock and come to his senses. I don’t know if this was true or not but
completing other regular tasks, I returned to find Cap so he did get control of his life, married my dear friend Vicki
fast asleep I couldn’t arouse him. I was really befuddled as Smart’s widowed mother and, as far as I know, was a really
to what I should do next. It was some distance to the nearest good citizen thereafter.
ranch or farm, and Cap did say I should drive us home, I
thought, so I decided the best option we had was to give it a Swimming on the Job
try. I climbed up on the high seat and by sort of half sitting
and half standing I was barely able to see over the steering One summer I worked for Uncle Gil Johnson and his son
wheel and through the bottom of the windshield. My next David. They lived just two blocks east of us. For me as a
challenge was to get the truck started. After trying different young boy, David was my hero. He would have been in
procedures, the truck suddenly, with heavy jerks, lunged his mid-teens, was tall and muscular, fun-loving, athletic
forward. By the time we had made our way down the and had a beautiful bass voice. The first time I ever
long lane leading to the graveled road, I was learning how experienced that special, tingling feeling up and down
to handle the gas feed and the steering wheel, but I didn’t my spine, which usually comes with the sound of great
dare tamper with any of the other controls. Obviously, I music, was when I heard David sing “Old Man River” at
must have had it in first gear, for even when I pressed the a Church social. Of course, I didn’t let him know this.
gas pedal down all the way; we traveled no more than 10 to David often let me ride behind him on his feisty pinto
20 miles per hour. What a spectacle we must have been! But horse. There was an especially ticklish spot along the
strangely enough, we made it all the way home without one spine of the horse, which David could run his fingers
single stop until we reached the place where Cap usually over and the horse would immediately start bucking like
parked the truck just west of his home. There was a slight a rodeo animal. Almost every time I rode with David we
incline there and with my foot off the gas pedal, the engine had to have our own miniature rodeo. This was one of
died and we were finally home safely. I’m just sure I heaved the most fun things I recall from my youth.

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Employment Experiences

One very hot summer day a group of us young boys had early that morning, casually threw it over my shoulder, and
been hired by Uncle Gil (he was really not a blood relative, started walking down the road towards home. Soon I heard
but among the Icelandic folk almost every older male we from behind me the clomping and pounding of horse’s
knew was called Uncle and most older females were called hoofs and then the pinto pony pulled around in front of me
Aunt) to thin a field of sugar beets up on the east bench. and slid to a stop. David talked to me in a very quiet and
There was a large canal which ran along the west end of friendly voice, explaining that he knew it was terribly hot
the beet field. As we were nearing the end of our rows and and miserable but the work had to be done. He then added
approaching the canal, I was in the lead and shouted out, that the other boys looked to me as sort of their leader, so he
wanted me to come back and set the right kind of example
“The first one to finish his row gets to take a dip in the cool canal!” for them. I admired David and would have done anything
for him, even to accept his hard request of staying out of the
There were five or six of us and almost immediately water the rest of the day, so he pulled me up behind him on
everyone was pulling off shirts, shoes, etc., as we ran towards his horse and we returned to work.
the refreshing stream of water. David was only a short
distance away with a team of horses furrowing the work we Unbeknown to most of us, David had a very serious
had already finished. When he saw what was going on, he heart condition and, even though there were no outward
rushed over and ordered us back to work. He then asked, indications of any problem, when he was in his late teens he
died very suddenly. I suppose I must have been only 10 or
“Whose crazy idea was it to go swimming when you should 11 years old when this happened and it was the first time I
be working?” had experienced the death of anyone with whom I was well
acquainted. After I came to fully understand that Dave was
I defiantly told him that it was my idea and that it was actually gone, it was a very devastating thing for me and
certainly not a crazy thing to do on such a hot day. was actually the first time I had to truly suffer sadness that
moved me to tears. Whenever I hear the song “Old Man
“Anyway, David, we are being paid by the row or the amount River” sung by a good singer, it still affects me the same
of work we do, and we can do more work if we cool off after way and reminds me of this very accomplished young man
every round of thinning,” I added, in a rather pleading voice. whom I loved and respected so much in my early, youthful,
formative years.
David didn’t agree but conceded begrudgingly that we could
take a short dip during the lunch break if we continued to There were, of course, other works I did in my youth besides
work hard. We did enjoy the “short dip” a little later at lunch farming. One such activity I well remember was helping
time but an hour or two later, when the sun was unbearably Dad clear a good portion of the acreage he purchased in
hot, we noticed that David had left to go somewhere and it the Riverbottoms south of town. As I recall, he purchased
was just too tempting not to cool off again when we reached about 10 acres of really fertile land bordering the Spanish
the end of our rows near the canal. As luck (or lack of it) Fork River. About one fourth of this land was covered with
would have it, we were no sooner in the water before Dave willows and old cottonwood trees that we worked for a
appeared on the scene. long time to remove. I think Dad felt this would be another
means of keeping us five boys constructively occupied. One
“Okay, Thor,” he shouted, “I know you are the ring leader, so part of his plan was actually allowing each one of us boys to
get your gear and get out of here! You’re fired!” take an acre or two and plant and care for whatever crop we
chose to grow. One year Allen and I grew sugar beets side
I noticed he had a sort of smirk on his face, so at first I
thought he was only kidding. But when he said no more, I
quietly found my jacket, which had felt quite comfortable

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Sagas of My Life

by side. I remember hauling load after load of manure and Soon after my graduation from high school, I became
spreading it on my acre before it was plowed. It was amazing involved in a very different type of work, that being the U.S.
to see the difference this made in the crop production. Even military. It was a most interesting work and overall I would
so, Dad suggested that Allen and I split the earnings equally. have to say I really enjoyed this time between 1946 and
1948. My military experiences, however, are covered in a
As I grew older during high school years, I was given other separate chapter of this personal history.
interesting jobs such as stacking pea silage for a farmer’s
association, working in a Del Monte Cannery and at Upon my release from the U.S. Army Paratroops, I went
Geneva Steel Company, together with always working in back to construction work for my dad, mostly on a part
construction with my father. time basis, while attending the university.

My work at Geneva Steel was somewhat unique and yet quite It was during the first summer after returning from the army,
interesting because it was the only job from which I was ever I think, that I took a few weeks off from construction work
“fired” - or at least I thought I was for some time. An agent when I was asked to work for the Forest Service fighting
came to our high school and offered a number of us part fires in Northern Idaho. I tried to join the “smoke jumpers”
time work in the evenings and on weekends. This was during but their training program, which the government required,
the war (World War II) and there was a general shortage of had been completed for that year, so the director told me
workers. I soon learned this was a type of work with which I that if I would return the following year he’d definitely
could never be satisfied. Soon, on days when there was little include me in their program. Our time fighting fires was
or no work to do, our foreman would order us to go behind supposed to be for only a short period but it turned out to
some large piles of slag and hide out. This was in case some be several weeks before they would release us. This was a
government inspectors might show up and see idle workers really fascinating time that I plan to describe in more detail
about the place. It was later reported that they had over hired in another chapter in which I’ll cover several of the most
by about 10 percent because they were compensated by the interesting experiences of my life. We actually worked on
government according to the numbers of employees. One three different fires, on the first of which two men were
day, after this hiding routine had been followed a couple of trapped and died. We also had a number of experiences
times before, when my buddies and I arrived for our shift, with bear, capturing three of them. There were quite a
the foreman ordered us to go hide out again. I told him I had number of other rather exciting things that I need to record
other important things I had to do that day and if he didn’t regarding this fire fighting work. At one time I even thought
need us for work, I was going to leave. He told me if I didn’t I should try to write a novel about these experiences.
do what he said, I’d be fired. My reply was, “Fire away!” He
tried to convince me to do as he said, but I told him I’d rather Even before leaving to fight forest fires, my dad had
be fired than to hide from work. He wrote out my pink slip suggested, as I briefly explained in a previous chapter, that
and told me to report to the main office, which I did. The I consider using the money I had saved from my military
fellow who interviewed me was very sympathetic and asked experiences to build a home for myself. So, soon after I
if I wanted to be assigned to another foreman. I told him I had returned from fighting fires, I began this interesting task.
other work and that I would prefer being released from their Dad helped me design a very nice duplex plan, which
employment. Some time later I received a nice letter from consisted of two bedrooms on each of two levels. I was able
the company in which they offered future employment if I to use Dad’s equipment for much of the work; for example,
wanted to work for them again, so I was obviously released his “Old Betsy” cement mixer, even though ready-mixed
rather than being fired. concrete was just becoming available at the time. I recall
trading my carpentry skills as much as I could with other

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Employment Experiences

tradesmen for the plumbing, plastering, electrical and other this with Dad a number of times. Each time his counsel
such areas of work with which I had little or no experience. was to wait a bit longer until I could have a better idea of
This, of course, extended the time of construction, but the total amount I would need to finish the work. After
saved me a lot of expenditure and, as I recall, I only had to some time I became even more concerned when a friend,
pay out about $8,000 in cash to complete my duplex home, who was a couple of years older than I, delivered a load
and this included the $600 I paid Dad for the building of gravel for my project. After he had dumped the load,
lot on the corner of 8th East and Center Streets. Dad had we chatted for a few minutes and during our discussion
planted a very fine orchard of various types of fruit trees on he asked which bank had given me my loan. I told him I
this property years before and it was rather sad when we hadn’t obtained one yet, but that I would have to get one
removed the last of these wonderful trees. My siblings and soon for my savings funds were running out. He chuckled
I had spent many pleasant hours picking fruit and working and told me I should have planned ahead a little better
in a large garden on this land throughout our youth. Now because he didn’t think I’d be able to get a loan. He had
here I was at the age 20 starting to build a home on our old been trying for several months himself and none of the
orchard property. banks seemed to have any mortgage money at that time.
Immediately after that I shared with Dad what my friend
Speaking about the $8,000 it cost to build this first home had told me and I wondered what we should do. He tried
reminded me of the learning experience I went through to assure me all would work out just fine and agreed to
with my banker, Wallace Gardner. The original plan now review the total project and help me determine
was to use most of my ready cash to get the project well what costs likely remained. He then suggested I call his
underway, and then I could determine more closely what banker, Wally Gardner, and arrange for an appointment at
it would cost to finish the job. I was very much concerned which we could sit down and review the project with him.
about obtaining a loan from the bank and had discussed

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Sagas of My Life

I remember that meeting very well. Dad was supposed to part time with my dad in construction work. This was the
meet me at the bank at an assigned time. I sat in the outer program I followed until my graduation from the BYU in
lobby very nervously waiting for Dad to arrive and noticed the spring of 1955.
he was late. After a few minutes the bank president came
out of his office and invited me to come in. I told him I was The next job offers I received were from superintendents of
waiting for my Dad. I noticed a wide grin on his face as he a number of school districts. Several superintendents came
stated, “Well, your dad’s tied up at his work and can’t make to the university to interview those of us graduating in the
it, so you and I will have to do the best we can without him.” field of Education. Primarily, because I was offered a much
I later realized they had actually planned it this way ahead of larger salary (something in the neighborhood of $3,500
time and that’s why I called it a learning experience. per year) to teach in California, but also to spend some
additional time on the West Coast, which I had enjoyed so
I could tell that Mr. Gardner was enjoying our meeting as he much during the two previous times I had visited there, I
dutifully went through the standard procedures and then, to accepted to teach in the little city of Glendora for one year
my great relief, he stated that everything seemed to be in good in an elementary school. This was an especially worthwhile
order and I would be awarded the full amount requested. I time for a number of reasons.
had included an additional amount to buy a newer car and
had expected the extra $1,500 might be stretching things a First of all, it was a fun time teaching a sixth grade class
bit too far. After we had signed the final papers I shared with of youngsters to give me a good basic foundation in this
him how relieved I was to be given the loan for I had heard newly chosen field. I also intended to eventually teach at
mortgage money was very tight at the time. He chuckled the secondary and university levels and then possibly work
and then shared with me something I have never forgotten. into an administrative position, either in a school district or
He may have been exaggerating somewhat, but looking me on the university level.
straight in the eyes, he stated that I could go into any bank in
the state of Utah and let them know I was the son of Victor Secondly, I happened to move into the Glendora 1st
Leifson and I would not be turned down for a loan. The Ward which had as its bishop a tremendously talented
esteem I already had for my Dad grew even higher that day. I and accomplished man by the name of Jack West. Bishop
didn’t ever share my experiences with the friend who was so West was the person who published a book about the
sure I would not be given the loan. relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon
entitled “The Stick of Joseph and the Stick of Judah.” It was
My project went on for about 2 years, during which time I based on his doctoral thesis, which he had presented to
also attended the university. I continued with both of these his graduating class in law school. Even though he was an
tasks until I left on my LDS mission to France early in 1951. attorney, he was also a land and home developer as well as
Building this duplex proved to be one of the best things I a general entrepreneur. Bishop West was also kept busy in
could have done at this time in my life. The rental income the evenings as a lecturer throughout Southern California.
from one unit covered the monthly mortgage payments to Since I was a single guy at the time he sort of adopted
the bank and the income from the other rental unit helped me and would invite me to go with him to help set up his
with my mission expenses. This worked so well for me that displays and film projectors. I learned a great deal from this
I’ve counseled other young bachelors to consider doing the good man. Also during about three months’ time while I
same thing for themselves. lived in his ward, we built a new LDS chapel. Back then the
wards could build their own chapels using plans furnished
After completing my mission late in 1953 I returned once by the Church. So, when Bishop West announced to the
again to my university studies and also continued working congregation that we had approval to proceed with the

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project, he also announced that it would not be “the house at which time I accepted his offer. The following three years
that Jack built,” but rather, it would be a House of the Lord at Provo High were very good years for me and I enjoyed
that the ward members would build! He was partly correct, this experience tremendously. It was certainly a very busy
but in reality, without Bishop Jack it would never have time in my life for, in addition to teaching full time, we were
been built in approximately three months’ time, which starting our young family, I was serving in a Bishopric and
was, at that time, a new record in chapel building in the also continuing to do construction work. However, rather
Church. We did this work in three shifts round the clock. I than working with Dad and Ted, I was now contracting to
was assigned to the “swing shift” from 4 pm to 12 pm each do some building projects on my own. It was also during
day except Sunday. After a few weeks our shift supervisor this time at Provo High School that I began my association
became ill and Bishop West asked if I would take over for with the BYU Educational Department, as explained
him. This was quite a challenge for me, but we all felt really previously. It was especially interesting working with Dr.
good about what we were able to accomplish when the Max Berryessa and other professors from the BYU and
project was very successfully completed. It was a beautiful I felt really honored to be invited to join the Education
chapel that endured many years until just recently when it Department at the BYU in 1962. I would have been happy
was demolished and replaced with a much larger one. to accept that job offer if we had not been called on another
LDS mission at the same time. We were called to serve a
The third positive thing about my being in California three-year building mission in Europe.
that year was that I met my future wife, Loyce Partridge.
We met on a blind date in the spring of 1956, being So, my next work assignment was as a project manager,
introduced by a mutual friend, Mark Beckstrom, who directing the construction of a new chapel for the Church
lived near Loyce in North Hollywood, California. Mark in Bordeaux, France. I should insert here, however, that
and I had been close buddies, growing up just a couple of prior to going to Europe, there was a delay in getting
blocks apart in Spanish Fork. Loyce and I were married our passports cleared and also in obtaining the building
later that year on December 20th 1956. permits for the Bordeaux project. Therefore, the Brethren
asked if I would supervise the building of a small chapel
After the one year teaching in California, I returned to Utah somewhere in the States for a few short months. I accepted
in the summer of 1956 and continued my post-graduate to do that and was sent to Creswell, North Carolina in the
studies at BYU while doing construction work on the side. Virginia Stake. It took me about four months to build a
I accepted a teaching job with the Nebo School District in beautiful, little, red brick chapel that was put to very good
1957 and taught English and French at Payson High School use by this small branch for many years thereafter. At the
for the next two years. During this same time I attended time, Creswell was a dependent branch of the Elizabeth
classes working towards my master’s degree, as time would City Ward. Two or three years ago we were able to revisit
permit. Also during this time Loyce and I lived in the home there and found that the increase in Church membership
that I had built in Spanish Fork soon after my discharge had long since outgrown the little chapel I built in 1962
from the military and while I was first attending classes at and they now have a new and much larger chapel located
the Brigham Young University. between Creswell and the neighboring town. My beautiful
little chapel had been sold to another denomination a
My next work assignment was teaching at Provo High couple of years ago.
School. In the chapter of this personal history about my
school experiences I have explained in more detail of how The few short months in Creswell gave me some memorable
this came about. The principal at Provo High School, Deb spiritual experiences, which I’ll cover in greater detail in a
Tregeagle, offered me a job in 1958 and again the next year,

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Sagas of My Life

chapter of this history about missions. The elderly Branch to Belgium, picked up my family, as well as a new double-
President, Brother Bruce Patrick, taught me some valuable cab Volkswagen pickup truck and we then made the long
lessons, which I shall never forget. I’ve had the blessing and drive from Belgium to Bordeaux, which is located in the
honor of working closely with a number of spiritual giants, extreme southwest corner of France.
but I don’t know of anyone who would surpass Brother
Bruce. (No one went by last names in this part of the The LDS Church in Bordeaux was, at this time, so very
South. It was always Brother Bruce, Brother Thor, etc. when different from what it had been when I left there in 1953,
addressing one another). just ten years previously. I had baptized the sixth member
of the Church there just before my departure and it was
There was another impressive man I learned a great deal such a pleasant surprise to find that the branch had now
from while on this assignment. He was the Bishop of the grown to over 200 members! And they were really strong
Elizabeth City Ward. His name was Arthur MacPherson and faithful Latter Day Saints. When the Brethren in Salt
and he too was an early pioneer of the Church in that area. Lake first told me where they wanted me to build a chapel, I
However, I remember one piece of advice he gave me that I honestly thought they were kidding me, knowing that I had
didn’t agree with and which I didn’t accept. He noticed that labored in this city before. But they had insisted that it was
I was doing much of the actual construction work, and he now a really strong, active unit, which had easily qualified
pulled me aside one day and strongly counseled that I would for a new chapel. Only upon my arrival could I fully believe
be more effective if I only supervised the works rather than it was true.
doing so much of it myself. I thanked him for his advice, but
told him the project was so small that I couldn’t keep myself Since I am only listing in this chapter the various work
busy without being directly involved in the actual work. assignments with which I have been involved, I will include
He told me I was still young and that I would learn that the more details regarding our experiences in Bordeaux in
counsel he offered me would help me be more productive the chapter of this history about missions. However, I will
if I followed it throughout my life. He was a very successful add that this work assignment was a really difficult one.
businessman and I’m quite sure his advice in this regard For example, at that time there was no ready-mix concrete
would most certainly apply in larger operations. Later available in Bordeaux, even though it was a city of over
Bishop MacPherson lobbied the Brethren in Salt Lake a half million people. Perhaps the toughest part of this
very strongly to allow me to do another chapel project in assignment, however, was that my work crew consisted of
the Virginia Stake. Although they told me about this, they several young labor missionaries, ages 16 through 24, who
indicated my call was for Europe and that was where they had no previous experience with the building trades! To
wanted me to serve. train these young men, both in their daily work and also to
try to help them develop spiritually, was truly a challenge.
Because of the delay in obtaining the building permits for It also required more caring and loving patience than I
the Bordeaux project, we were first sent to Holland for had before possessed, so it was not only the young men
a short time; then later on to Charleroi, Belgium to assist who gained greatly from this experience. I’m actually quite
with a project that was already underway. I worked with certain that I made more improvements than they did. Even
Brother Elden Wood for a few weeks and then was asked so, some of these young men later became strong leaders,
to do some carpentry work in the Paris Mission Offices. both in their fields of labor and in the Church, so it proved
It was while here that I had another warm and delightful, to have been a very rewarding experience.
spiritual experience which I’ll tell about in the chapter
about my missions. Finally, in the spring of 1963 I returned We were fortunate that our Bordeaux chapel project
moved along very well, after a somewhat slow beginning.

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Employment Experiences

First LDS Chapel Built in France - 1964

There were several delays while we tried numerous times had previously remodeled the old, stately villa located on
to break through the “red tape” of city hall to obtain our the site, without a building permit! And she also knew
permits. Finally, with the help of an attorney from Paris, I had proceeded to build about 50 large roof trusses on
a Mr. Brodeur, I was able to get an appointment with the the site for the projected new building, etc. Yet, at the
“Chef de la Prefecture,” which would be the equivalent conclusion of our meeting, she actually asked me several
of a leading County or State official here in America. profound questions about our Church and was now just
This official happened to be a very lovely and cultivated as charming and kind as she had been almost uncivil
lady. At first, she gave me a real grilling, until I was able to before. She finally concluded our meeting by assuring us
convince her that this was not an “American” church, but that she would resist the pressures from other powerful
actually that it was a French congregation directed and opponents (Mr. Brodeur and I both understood this to
run by local French people. She then wanted to know how mean the predominant church leaders) and promised
much these French people were paying me to direct their that she would do whatever she could to help us. Within
project. I told her that I received no salary but was serving just a few days we received our building permit! I later
as an unpaid missionary. When the attorney assured her returned to her office and presented her with a very fine
that what I said was true, her attitude completely changed book containing many beautiful colored photos and
and, whereas before she was quite curt and negative, now several articles about our Church. She accepted it most
she became very polite and helpful. It was interesting graciously and wished us well in our endeavors. I hoped
how much she already knew about our project when we some day to see her in the Church.
began our discussion. For example, she knew our group

59

Sagas of My Life

As I recall, there were 15 other LDS projects like ours I was provided a new Opel station wagon vehicle and I put
under way in Western Europe at that time. As I mentioned a lot of miles on it as I traveled around Western Europe for
before, we were fortunate that ours moved along very well, the next several months. I felt I could have written a pretty
in spite of numerous difficulties. Our district supervisors, good travel book after this experience. I was permitted to
Bro. Joseph Hassop and later Bro. Karl Lagerberg, who take Loyce with me once or twice so she was able to see
came by about once each month, indicated that although a good part of Europe as well. On one trip we took Ab
our project started after most of the others, it was then Sterling and his wife with us for a couple of weeks. He was
well ahead of any of the others and would be the first the Area Construction Supervisor in Great Britain. This
completed in the area. proved to be an especially fun time for all. They didn’t
seem to mind the time I spent or was otherwise occupied
Shortly thereafter, when we had the roof on and had just at each of my projects for it allowed them to do other
started the inside finish, I received a telephone call one day interesting things in several of the major cities in Europe
from Brother Stan Bird, our Area Construction Supervisor where we had these building projects.
at that time. Bro. Stan had some good and some not-so-
good news for me. He said that because we had done so After a few months I was asked to relocate from Paris
well with our project, they were going to pull me from my to Frankfurt where the Area Offices had been moved.
job and give me another assignment. They had decided So, although my work assignment stayed the same, my
it would be best if I accepted to serve as the Supervisor family enjoyed living in another country for the next
over the Southern District of our European Construction several months.
Area. This district included France, Belgium, Holland
and Switzerland. Later Austria and the south of Germany As our three-year mission assignment was nearing an end,
were added to my district. Bro. Stan assured me they the new Area Supervisor, Bro. Warren Cable informed me
would send a good replacement to finish my project there that the building missionary program was being phased
in Bordeaux. They wanted me to travel regularly to each out but that the Church would continue its construction
of the chapel sites, do comprehensive inspections of the program in Europe in much the same manner, but on a
progress of the work, get possible new projects started, paid basis rather than as a missionary program. He then
help the project supervisors to better organize their work, asked if I would be willing to continue on as a member of
counsel with them on personnel problems, etc. He said his team, doing much the same work I had handled in the
he felt it would probably be best for me to relocate my past. Loyce and I decided that when our mission calling
family to a villa the Church owned in Nogent-sur-Marne, was completed, it would be time for us to return home, so I
which is a suburb in the eastern part of Paris. The main declined Bro. Cable’s offer.
floor served as a meeting hall for the Nogent Branch of
the Church and we occupied one of the upper floors. I also had another offer for employment in Europe at this
same time from the Leavitt Home Developers of New
This work assignment also proved to be especially Jersey. I don’t know how they got my name or even knew
interesting, but it was really a challenge as well, because about me to offer me employment. I told them I would
most of the project supervisors were older than I and, perhaps consider working with them in the western part of
obviously, had many more years of experience. Even so, the States, but not in Europe. They replied that they didn’t
they seemed willing to accept most of the suggestions I have anything going in the west of the United States at the
made and I think I was able to help most of them move time so nothing further came of that offer.
their projects along quite well.

60

Employment Experiences

We returned to the States and to our home in Spanish return from Europe, Fred requested that I prepare for
Fork just in time for Christmas 1965. Sherm Wing was him a detailed written report about my feelings, both
then the Superintendent of the Provo School District. positive and otherwise, regarding the building program
They had written to me even before I left Europe and that we had been involved with in Europe.
informed me they didn’t have an opening in mid year
at Provo High School, but assured me they would find During this meeting in 1966, Fred explained that they
me another position somewhere to finish out the school really needed my services for an assignment as the
year and then work me back into my old job there at Area Construction Supervisor in the South Pacific. He
Provo High School when a new school year began in the explained that they had a lot of work to do in French
fall of 1966. They couldn’t have been more helpful and Polynesia and felt that with my French language ability
considerate. As it turned out, they found me a position in and construction skills I would be the ideal person for
the Nebo District where I taught for the next five months the job. I told Fred I was certain I would really enjoy such
at the Mapleton Elementary School, being paid some an assignment, but I felt it would be better is they chose
way by both districts, which gave me a really good salary. someone else because of our young family situation.
I didn’t actually complain, but I did let them know that I I added that it sounded like such a fun and exciting
thought they were making a mistake in their accounting. assignment that I felt certain they could easily find any
They insisted otherwise, so it was especially good for my number of other qualified men for the job. Fred asked if
family and me. Teaching in Mapleton was another good I could recommend some others and I gave him three or
experience which I was grateful to have had. four names of men I felt would be able to handle the task
very well. After quite a lengthy discussion, he agreed to
Prior to returning from Europe I received another job try to find someone else.
offer from the Superintendent of the Park City School
District. There was a mix up in communication and A few months later they called me in again. Fred
he was quite disappointed that I didn’t accept his offer. explained they had carefully checked out all the
I’m confident it would have been interesting to have references I had given them, as well as numerous other
lived there in Park City and to have been a part of the possibilities, and they still felt really strongly that I was
tremendous growth and development that took place the person needed for the position. I told both Fred and
there in the years following 1966, but obviously the Hac Christiansen that my wife and I had given careful
Lord had other plans for our future. consideration to the matter and still felt it would be
difficult to uproot our young family once again. I then
During the school year of 1966/1967 I was back at my old told Fred I had sometimes seen announcements in the
job teaching English and French at Provo High School. It Church Section of the Deseret News pertaining to the
was probably my most enjoyable year of teaching and, as it need for special help in various locations throughout the
turned out, it was also my final year of teaching. Church. I suggested they try this approach for it seemed
almost certain this would provide them plenty of willing
Sometime in 1966, only a few months after our return and qualified persons to choose from to fulfill the
from Europe, I was asked to meet with Brother Fred assignment. They agreed to give this a try but then Fred
Baker in the Church Building Department in Salt concluded our discussion by saying that if this didn’t
Lake City. Fred was Vice-Chairman of the Building give the desired results, he really felt I should make it a
Committee. I had met him in Europe a couple of times matter of sincere prayer for he felt so strongly that I was
and was very impressed with the man. Soon after our meant to do this assignment for the Church.

61

Sagas of My Life

When quite an attractive notice came out in the Church Church assignment, the Brethren would never let me
Section soon thereafter, I felt certain this would resolve get back to my teaching profession. I remember telling
the matter once and for all. However, a few weeks later I him that this would definitely not happen because,
was invited once again to meet with Bro. Fred Baker. This although I would never turn down missions, I had no
time he made it sound like a mission call and explained interest in working as a Church employee. During the
that he had such a strong feeling that it was meant to years that followed, Sherm kiddingly reminded me
be that I accept this assignment. He claimed that every of this conversation whenever we met at ballgames or
avenue they attempted always led back to me. I told Fred other activities. He never said “I told you so,” but that
that following our previous meeting my wife and I had was obviously what was behind his smile each time. As
done as he had suggested and prayed long and hard about it later turned out, I ended up doing just what I insisted
the matter and had finally decided that we should accept I would never do and that was to spend the rest of my
the assignment. However, when we heard nothing further working years as a Church employee. Sherm had been
from them for some time, we concluded they had found very prophetic. Another complication I pointed out
someone else. This would have been in the spring of 1967 to Fred was that earlier in that spring of 1967 I had
and I told Fred that now once again we couldn’t accept accepted to build a large residence on the rim of the hill
because I had just signed an extension on my teaching just above the BYU stadium for Dr. Thane Packer, who
contract for the coming school year. Fred interrupted at was a professor at BYU. (Once again, I was not able to
this point and explained he had just been in contact with find out who had given Thane my name as a candidate
Superintendent Sherm Wing and they had discussed my to do his project. He simply stated that someone he
situation in detail. He further explained that Sherm, who had worked with on a Church committee had highly
I think was in a Stake Presidency at the time, had agreed recommended me.) Thane was really great to work
to release me from the contract and had also assured Fred for and I had his project well underway when we were
he would have a job for me following this Church calling, called on this assignment in the South Pacific. My
if that was my desire. brother Ted agreed to finish Professor Packer’s project
for me, so it all worked out just fine and Ted did him a
Soon after we agreed to accept this Church assignment, good job completing the home.
I met with Sherm Wing. (During the previous year I
had taught Sherm’s outstanding son, Douglas, who is Therefore, after unsuccessfully declining it three times,
presently an accomplished medical doctor here in Provo. my next work assignment was as the Area Construction
Sherm always attended our parent/teacher meetings Supervisor for the LDS Church in the South Pacific,
and so we had become quite well acquainted through which was primarily the French Polynesian region. It
that). In our meeting in the spring of 1967, I remember is interesting to read the Building Department’s List
him telling me that he felt we had already given so much of Qualifications Required for Area Construction
of our lives to the Church in serving two missions that Supervisors (see Appendix 3) in which the first item
he couldn’t help but wonder if we were doing the right listed stated that it was preferred the couple selected
thing, especially in regards to my future in the field of have no school-age children with them. We actually
education. He then cautioned that I not misunderstand took five children with us to Tahiti.
what he was about to say. He assured me he wanted
me back in his district as a teacher and that he would During this three-year stay in Tahiti we lived in three different
definitely arrange an opening for me if I would return. homes. We first lived in Taunoa, a strictly Tahitian section in the
However, he felt quite certain that if I accepted this eastern part of Papeete, the Capital and principal city of Tahiti.

62

Employment Experiences

Preparing to leave for Tahiti This was a new home built in more modern Western style and
was located in an area where mostly French diplomatic people
After a few months, the family we were renting from needed the lived. The family that lived on the one side of us was of Jewish
home for some family members so we moved to Faaa, an area origin and it was interesting to learn something of Jewish
high on the hills above the airport just west of the city. traditions since our homes were only about 20 feet apart,
and in Tahiti the windows are left open practically all of the
time because of the tropical climate. After a few more months
the other counselor I served with in the mission presidency,
Brother Benesec, asked if I would be interested in renting a nice
home he owned in Pirae which was near the beach a mile or so
east of the central part of Papeete. This was the nicest place we
lived in and the children loved it because it was only about 50
yards from the nice sandy beach of a large lagoon. Our children
have many fond memories of their time living in the Pirae area.

This three-year work assignment in the South Pacific was
the most diverse and probably the most interesting of the
many tremendously fascinating works I have been involved
with throughout my lifetime. My main chore was to oversee

Leaving for Tahiti

63

Sagas of My Life
64

Employment Experiences

all construction projects throughout the islands. However, days for the next boat that might come along. There were
I was also the Church Real Estate Agent and also the no firm schedules in those days, so I had to learn patience.
Financial Administrator for this area as well. Then, on top At the same time I was able to do quite a lot of work with the
of that, I was asked to serve as a counselor to the Mission missionaries, fish and scuba dive with the local members
President. I served with President Karl Richards and later (which was not allowed to the regular missionaries), do
with President Ralph Richards (no kin) during most of the some sightseeing, and just simply enjoy being fed and
time we were there in Tahiti. Because I wore these “several treated like royally by the faithful Saints everywhere I went.
hats,” it was necessary for me to do quite a lot of traveling I often had plenty of enjoyable reading time as well.
throughout the entire area. This was really a challenge in
some ways, but also it was often convenient to be able to Construction methods and equipment were usually
perform my three principal tasks on one trip to many of the very primitive in the Islands, or at least by comparison
islands. For example, I remember visits to Bora Bora, Tubuai to what we were used to in the States. I shall never forget
and the Tuamotu Islands during which I conducted district the tremendous challenge it was to complete the large
meetings, worked on real estate matters, and also spent concrete beams and roof on the school auditorium job. I
most of my time inspecting and coordinating construction had a crew of about fifty men and, since there was no ready-
projects. On some of the islands the boats would stop for mix concrete in the Islands at that time, we had to mix and
only an hour or so and I would then have to wait for a few hoist about 70 yards of concrete approximately 20 feet in
the air. I had arranged for two large hand-fed mixers, a large

65

Sagas of My Life

hoist used for unloading and loading materials at the docks, challenge seemed to bring a greater spirit of camaraderie
a dozen wheelbarrows and other necessary equipment. to the crew and we worked with much greater effort and
The architect in Hawaii, who had designed the building, unity after that. Mr. LeJeune, a wealthy French attorney
insisted that it be a continuous pour. Obviously he didn’t and entrepreneur, later told me that I had quite a good
seem to realize it would have to be done by hand mixing the reputation among the other building contractors in Tahiti,
concrete. We started early in the morning and things started because none of them felt they could get as much work as
out well. In fact, it appeared at first that we might be able to I was able to from a crew of Tahitians and still have them
finish in about 12 hours. Then we could see storm clouds singing and laughing while they worked. I told him it was
up on the mountain peaks above Papeete and, as usual, the not because of me but that they were all LDS workers and
city water officials turned off the water supply so the pipes primarily because of this they were a happy group.
wouldn’t fill with mud. This was a local problem unique to
Tahiti. My attempts to convince them to turn the water back Later, as I was finishing up my three-year assignment in
on just long enough for us to fill some large barrels in order Tahiti, Mr. LeJeune telephoned one day and asked if I
to complete our work were futile. They insisted they would would come and meet with him in his office. I was rather
likely have greater problems than I if they were to help me surprised by his invitation, and then later even more
out with my problem. So, I then diverted some of our crew impressed with the nicely adorned and deluxe quarters
to hauling water from the river to complete our project. It he worked in. It was quite a contrast from the simple, little
took much longer than expected, and every crewmember construction shed/office that I had built for myself near
was completely exhausted when we finally completed the the school project. Mr. LeJeune surprised me even more
work late that night. The best part of all, however, was that by offering to take me for an airplane ride to a private
it turned out to be a job very well done. This tremendous island he owned not far from Bora Bora. His island

Native construction and Popaa construction methods
66

Employment Experiences

was actually located between Bora Bora and an island he had installed the graveled runway as he did, he replied
owned by Marlon Brando, the movie star who played that the prevailing winds had dictated how it needed to
in “Mutiny on the Bounty” which was filmed in Tahiti a be laid out. I noticed quite a large pier in his lagoon and
short time before we arrived there. I asked him why he thought to myself that it would be safer by far to come to
wanted to show me his island, thinking he must have his island by boat.
had a construction problem with which he wanted some
advice. He seemed rather coy and just insisted that he Mr. LeJeune then gave me a tour of his large coconut
show me what he had in mind before explaining what it plantation. I don’t recall now how many thousands of trees
was all about. I couldn’t help being a bit suspicious about he had, but I do remember that they were in long rows and
this strange offer so I first declined. He could see my appeared to be very well maintained in comparison to the
reluctance and so he suggested I ask President Richards numerous coconut plantations I had seen on many of the
if he would join us. He knew Pres. Richards well for he other islands. He had a small village of fairly new cottages
had represented the Church in some legal matters. I then for the workers, large American caterpillar tractors and
suspected that perhaps he had LDS people on his island other such equipment to handle his operation, a small
that he needed help with, so I called Pres. Richards and central water treating plant, a sewer system and just about
explained about what Mr. LeJeune had proposed. The everything one could think of to make this whole operation
president indicated that he had other commitments that completely independent and truly an “island of paradise.” I
coming Saturday and wouldn’t be able to join us but was duly impressed and told him so. This seemed to please
saw no reason that I shouldn’t go anyway. Mr. LeJeune him very much. I then asked him to explain to me whatever
then suggested that I should bring my wife, explaining problem he might be having with which he felt I could
that it would really be a nice adventure. As it turned possibly be of any help, for it seemed like every thing he had
out, nobody else seemed interested in going with me shown me was nearly perfect.
but, because it did seem like an interesting adventure,
I decided to see what the attorney had in mind, so I He then explained that he did indeed have a problem - a
accepted to accompany him. It actually proved to be very major problem - and he was thoroughly convinced that
a most interesting experience. He had his own private I was the key person who could help him solve it. He then
Cessna plane and was also a very experienced pilot. As outlined in some detail that it had been impossible for him
we circled over Bora Bora and headed east, Mr. LeJeune to keep good, loyal, conscientious workers. He had hired
pointed out Marlon Brando’s island in the distance while and fired several crews. The more he paid them, the less they
we dropped altitude and made our approach to land on produced. The reason was that after each week’s pay was
his atoll island. As I now recall, his island was in sort of a issued, there were friends (or rather people who wanted to
horseshoe shape or like a large U. Coming nearer I could take advantage of the workers) who would come over to his
see an airstrip, which actually ran across one arm of the island in small boats and take the workers back to Bora to
horseshoe shaped island, rather than lengthwise which party until their pay ran out, which sometimes took several
would have given a much longer runway. As we touched days. I knew that Mr. LeJeune was really a good man, and I
down, I was really fearful we would run out of runway could see he was thoroughly disappointed and completely
and dump into the lagoon between the two long arms of disgusted with many of the men in whom he placed great
his island. However, he applied the brakes heavily right faith. They had betrayed his trust and had cost him dearly.
at the end of his runway with hardly any space to spare. He had a tremendously large investment in his plantation
He had made a perfect landing. When I questioned why and yet it was losing a lot of money. He paused for a long
moment and then made a proposal that really surprised

67

Sagas of My Life

me. He explained that what he had in mind was, when my and stated emphatically, “I don’t care what you do, but I’m
commitment to the Church was complete in a few weeks’ taking the kids and going home just as soon as our Church
time, for me to take over the management of his plantation! assignment is complete.” So, I occasionally reminded her
He continued by saying he felt certain that if I would put afterwards that once again we missed a great opportunity
together a large crew of good Mormon workmen who would to become millionaires!
bring their families there, he felt all of us could have a great
life as well as make very good money. He began by offering As time permits, I intend to write much more about a
me 25% of whatever profits I could produce. He would also number of the most interesting experiences we had while
pay the men better salaries than they could possibly make in in Tahiti. Some of these events would include a ship wreck,
Papeete. He knew that with Mormons there wouldn’t be the hurricanes, swimming with sharks, destruction of the
drinking and partying problems he had experienced, so he Bora Bora chapel, almost losing members of my family
felt certain this would be a good solution for his problem. when the outrigger canoe I built overturned, yachting with
When I hesitated repeatedly, he kept sweetening the offer the Madsen family, delicious Tamaas (Tahitian feasts),
until it was up to a 50/50 split with me. He was even willing Bermuda airplane flights (seaplanes), requests that we trade
to provide a school and teacher for the workmen’s families, children, etc. Some of these experiences would no doubt be
a new LDS chapel for my Tahitian group and other hard-to- of special interest to our children because they took part in
refuse enticements. I finally told him that if my wife agreed, a number of these fun and exciting things, which they must
I would perhaps consider a three-year contract with him, surely remember.
but after that I wanted to take my family back to the States.
I felt quite certain I could make a real “nest egg” during that The assignment in Tahiti was an interesting and satisfying
amount of time, then return home and buy a fairly good experience in many ways. First of all, the Tahitians are
ranch (a thing I had dreamed of since childhood) and have a such a hospitable, unselfish, kind and loving people that
more leisurely life as a gentleman farmer/rancher. He readily one couldn’t possibly live among them without being
agreed, with one additional condition to be included in our greatly impressed and improved for the better. Also we
tentative agreement. Before I completed the three years were able to accomplish quite a lot of construction work
with him, he wanted me to train at least one of my Mormon in the three years we were there: 1) We added a large
workers to be able to take over the direction of the operation auditorium, an extensive classroom wing, a modern
as my replacement. I agreed to give his proposals serious cafeteria and new restrooms on the Church Primary
consideration and get back with him in a few days, after I had School; 2) we built several new chapels on different
time to discuss the matter with my family and one or two of islands throughout French Polynesia; 3) remodeled
my key Tahitian crewmen. We then returned to Papeete and many of the existing chapels; 4) coordinated a number of
the last thing Mr. LeJeune said as I left him was, “Be sure to real estate transactions and 5) I also served during most of
tell your wife she’ll be the queen of an entire island and she’ll the three years as a counselor in the Mission Presidency.
have an experience she’ll never forget.” I probably could and perhaps should write a book about
this fascinating three year period of my life.
Well, anyone who knows Loyce also knows that she makes
quick, impulsive decisions even before she hears the full A few months before our three-year commitment in
account of almost anything and usually before giving a Tahiti was complete, Brother Hac Christiansen came and
matter any really careful thought. So, it should also be of no during this visit asked if I would accept an assignment
surprise to anyone that when I had only begun to explain with the Building Committee in Salt Lake City. I told
what a great opportunity lay ahead for us, she interrupted him I had never really wanted to work for the Church in a
regular paid job, only on missionary types of assignments.

68

Employment Experiences

He explained that the Brethren felt they had an ideal his sons and stepsons, including my grandfather Sylvester,
assignment for me and he flattered me a bit by saying that built gristmills on a number of the streams around the
they only selected the most qualified persons to work at valley, including one in West Jordan, which was serviced
Church headquarters. He then added that because of this by a canal from the Jordan River. The old gristmill they
I should really feel complimented and, furthermore, they built there in West Jordan has been well preserved and
wanted me enough that they would actually give me my is presently the main feature of an interesting Pioneer
choice from three different openings they had at the time. Village that draws many visitors each year.
However, he quickly added that the job they were hopeful
I would accept was one they called Project Development Actually, my new assignment with the Church Building
Coordinator. This entailed processing the project Department, although very demanding, proved to be a good
requests that came in from the many stakes throughout fit for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this work for the next
the Church, obtaining necessary committee approvals, year or two during 1970-71. I worked under the direction
arranging for a project architect and then sending the of Fred Baker and Mark B. Garff. I also worked closely with
materials along to the construction section for the bidding Elder John H. Vandenberg who was the General Authority
phase of the work. The challenging part of the assignment over our building program at the time. All three of these
was with the public relations involved in working with the brethren would have me prepare drafts of letters and do
local stake leaders. After Hac Christiansen explained the other writing assignments for them in addition to my regular
job description for this work, I asked him if it would be project coordinating tasks. They involved me in more and
primarily a desk job. He replied in the affirmative and then more of these extra assignments, which required much more
said that if I really didn’t feel I’d like that kind of work, then than an eight-hour day to properly accomplish. Finally, one
the Brethren wanted me to take a job as a project inspector, evening Brother Garff caught me working well into the night
but this assignment would involve a lot of traveling. I told and ordered me to get home to my family. The next day Fred
him that didn’t appeal to me because of my young family. asked if I would accept to give up my project coordinating
I then asked for some time to consider with my family the
assignment they most wanted me to accept as a Project
Development Coordinator. A few days later I telephoned
Church Headquarters and let Brother Fred Baker know
that I was willing to give the job a try for a year or so to see
if I could adjust to a “desk job.”

Soon we were on our way back to the States to take up a
new way of life, start a new job, build a new home, and all
of this in a new location in the Salt Lake area. We chose
to live in West Jordan over several other locations we
carefully considered, probably because that was where
my great-grandfather Sylvester Bradford and his mother,
Grandmother Abby Bradford Gardner, had settled soon
after arriving with the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley
in 1847. Grandma Abby married Archibald Gardner
sometime after arriving in the Valley. He was quite an
entrepreneur and an early settler in West Jordan. He, with

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Sagas of My Life

job and become his personal assistant and also act as the duties such as rewriting our Policies & Procedures Manual;
Office Manager. This assignment proved to be even more serving as scribe and preparing the agendas for most of the
interesting than what I had been doing. Fred arranged that meetings Fred was involved with (particularly the Physical
I have an office next to his and he involved me in many of Facilities Advisory Committee and later the Temple Facilities
his responsibilities, particularly after he became the new Advisory Committee). Also I was often asked to accompany
Director of the Church Building Department, following the Fred and take notes, as he felt was needed, in meetings with
departure of Mark Garff. Besides being office manager, there the Brethren. Another task was processing and coordinating
were several other specific roles I was asked to perform in with the President of the Quorum of the Twelve requests for
this new assignment. I continued assisting Fred and Elder new Stakes and for Stake divisions. Then, from time to time, I
Vandenberg with their correspondence as well as other was asked to do other special assignments.

Church Building Committee Staff - 1976
Top Row: Brother Brower, Brother Lloyd, Brother Christiansen, Chairman Fred Baker

Bottom Row: Wally McPhie, Thor Leifson, Bill Anderson.
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Employment Experiences

Some of these other special duties included such things as is so very important!” I imagine my mouth must have
my being sent to Europe to do a land study on properties in dropped open at what he had said, but he didn’t seem to
the Paris area, accompanying Elder Marvin J. Ashton (who pay any attention nor did he even pause for my reply. He
was our General Authority Director at that time) on a trip to went on to explain that I would be given whatever time
Polynesia during which time I was also assigned to do some and means would be required to accomplish the task, but
real estate studies, performing some preliminary studies on also added that the First Presidency would like the study
the properties which later became our Jordan River Temple to be completed as soon as practically possible. He stated
site, and performing demographic and other related studies further that I should put together a team of engineers,
on other future temple locations. The final couple of years architects, interior designers, etc. and visit all of the temples
while I was in this assignment, the Brethren seemed to give throughout the world in order to get a really good feel as
me more and more responsibilities involving the temples. to what should be done to properly develop this program.
This pleased me very much for I had always had a great love As it turned out, after I took the team which I had selected
and interest in our temples. to only a few of the temples, the Bishopric and Fred felt I
really didn’t need additional help from the others and
Because of my fairly frequent involvement with matters directed that I should complete the remaining inspection
involving the temples, it did not surprise me too much visits on my own. This I did during the following few weeks
when Fred informed me one day late in 1977 that the just as quickly and yet as thoroughly as was reasonable for
Presiding Bishopric wanted to meet with the two of us on me to do. Although the team had been quite helpful to me,
the subject of temples. Fred had mentioned to me a couple I really felt that, thereafter, I was constantly guided and
of times before that the Bishopric had something in mind aided tremendously by other, more capable sources than I
that would involve me, but he couldn’t then say anything had received before. It’s truly great and yet humbling to feel
more about it. However, each time he mentioned this he that we can sometimes serve as “instruments in the hands
would sort of apologize and explain that he had put them of the Lord.” This was one time when I really experienced
off because, at the time, he felt he needed my help too much that feeling. I made careful notes during the time I spent
on other things. Even so, I was certainly not prepared for at each of the temples and met with the temple presidents
what Bishop Victor L. Brown presented to us that day. He both at the beginning and at the completion of each
began by stating that President Spencer W. Kimball was inspection. I asked for input from members of the temple
not at all pleased with the present “care and keeping of presidencies and from the temple engineers on how they
our temples.” He continued by explaining that President felt we could better provide for the physical needs of their
Kimball had directed that a very comprehensive study be temple facilities. I think, without exception, they felt they
done after which a detailed program was to be developed needed a written program and more direction from Church
to assure that the physical condition of the temples would Headquarters. They were delighted that President Kimball
be improved as rapidly as possible, and that the program had sensed this important need for such a program.
must make provisions so that these sacred facilities could
be continually maintained at what he called “a very high At this time there were 15 operating temples in the
Temple Standard.” Bishop Brown then paused and, looking Church. Actually, we had 16 completed temples, but the
directly towards me as though to make sure he had my Hawaii Temple was temporarily closed for some major
undivided attention, he continued in a rather solemn voice, remodeling. It was truly fascinating to carefully check out
“Brother Thor, if you agree, we are going to relieve you each of the temples from “top to bottom.” After completing
of all your other duties and give you the responsibility to my visits and carefully crafting a proposed program, I
spearhead this assignment which President Kimball feels reviewed it with Fred Baker hoping he would have many

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Sagas of My Life

suggestions. However, he felt very pleased with it and had would have loved to have my job. Also when my assistant
little, if anything, to add. He agreed to take it to the Brethren Karl Lagerberg retired, I was amazed at the great number of
and I felt certain they would have a number of things to highly qualified applicants to choose from as his replacement
alter and/or change in the proposed program, because - one even had a Doctor of Engineering degree.
Bishop Brown had said that some of the Brethren had
much interest in this matter and that I should be prepared During much of this 15-year period when I oversaw the
to incorporate a number of their suggestions once I had put TRM program, I did have another work assignment and
together the first draft of a proposed plan. I was hopeful it that was serving as an Honorary Consul of Iceland for the
wouldn’t take too much longer to complete the assignment Inter-Mountain Area of the U.S. This also proved to be a
for I was anxious to get back to working with Fred. Much to most interesting assignment and I should probably explain
my surprise, there were only a couple of minor suggested here, I think, a little bit about this work and how I became
things to include in the program I had proposed, but many involved with it.
compliments for an excellent, very well-organized study and
plan for future maintenance of the temples. I was delighted Over the years my father often hosted people from Iceland
beyond measure that the proposed program had been so who visited Utah. Because the little community of Spanish
well received and then shocked also beyond measure when Fork, Utah, has the distinction of having the very first U.S.
I was told that the Brethren had directed that I should now colony of Icelandic settlers from the old country (there were
proceed post-haste in putting the program into effect! over 400 Mormon converts who came here from Iceland in
the later half of the 1800’s), naturally there are quite a lot
Soon a letter was prepared and sent out over the First of Icelanders who have relatives here and general interest
Presidency’s signature, dated June 28, 1978, to all temple in their “Western Icelandic” cousins, so they sometimes
presidents informing them that a new program called “Temple come to visit. My father, Victor Leifson, was one of the last
Renovation and Maintenance” was to be put into effect. of the “old timers” to have learned the Icelandic language
and he was still very conversant in it throughout his life
Most of my previous work assignments had certainly been until his death in 1983. It was shortly after his demise that I
interesting and fulfilling, but none of them came close to the received a telephone call from our U. S. Foreign Services in
enjoyment of this temple responsibility. How could one possibly Washington D.C., and the gentleman who called asked if it
find greater people to work with than the temple presidencies would be possible for me to entertain and host a dignitary
and all others involved with the temples of the Lord? from Iceland who was scheduled to come to the University
of Utah. We lived in the Salt Lake area at the time and I told
It was by far the most enriching and delightful work I’ve ever him I would be happy to meet the Icelander at the airport
been a part of. I was 49 years of age when I was asked to do the and see to it that he was taken care of during his brief stay. I
study regarding the temples and 50 years of age when given think he was a professor from the University of Reykjavik.
the assignment to oversee the program that was the result of I asked the Foreign Service man how he obtained my
that study. I continued in this position for the next 15 years name or even knew I was of Icelandic descent. He was a bit
until my retirement from Church employment. During evasive but mentioned he understood the Leifson family
that time I was offered other positions of responsibility and had assisted them this way before. If so, they must have
was tempted a time or two to change jobs, but each time I had record that Dad Leifson had helped them with other
concluded that, even though some of these other jobs could Icelanders like this, for he certainly did on many occasions.
have perhaps provided a more prestigious title and probably I had also visited in Iceland almost every time I had gone to
a better salary, I couldn’t possibly enjoy any other work any Europe and I wondered if they had record of that somehow.
more than what I was then doing. There were so many who

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Employment Experiences
73

Sagas of My Life

In any case, this was the beginning of the several similar people in the Embassy were a bit hesitant to have much to
instances when I helped with other visiting Icelandic do with us here in Utah. However, after I worked on Ingvi
dignitaries. After a time or two it was the Icelandic Embassy a few times he finally called me one day and said that, if I
in Wash., D.C., which would contact me. Then sometime was really serious about my invitation, he felt he would like
in 1986, it was the Ambassador Ingvi Ingvarsson himself to bring his wife Hjolmfridur and pay us a visit. He said
who was on the telephone asking if I could help out with he had always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, Bryce
the president of the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce, who Canyon and Zion’s Park. We went to work and outlined a
was scheduled for a short stopover in Salt Lake City. nice vacation for them and everything turned out so well
that we were all delighted with the whole experience. Ingvi
After we had visited for a short time and he had corrected me loves American football so I called the BYU and President
about my calling him “Mr. Ambassador” when I should have Lee honored us by putting us in one of the dignitary boxes
known that all Icelanders call each other simply by their first high above the stadium. I had never had such comfort at
names, and therefore I was to address him only as Ingvi, he a BYU ball game. Hjolmfridur was so taken by what she
next thanked me for helping them from time to time with saw on a campus tour that she said she would try to see if
Icelanders who came through Salt Lake City. He then said, her daughter would accept to send a grandson here for his
“Thor, why don’t we make this more official and give you the university studies. Then the next day we took them to Salt
title of Consul?” I thought he was kidding and so I kiddingly Lake City and, among other interesting things, the highlight
replied, “Well, does such a position pay pretty well?” He was meeting with members of the First Presidency. The
answered that he was serious about what he was proposing next day we were able to take them to see the Tabernacle
but laughingly added that there was really no remuneration Choir. Before the performance, Ingvi and his wife, among
involved, because for our area the assignment called for an other such dignitaries, were introduced to the audience.
“Honorary Consul” level which did not include a salary. This is a really nice thing they do. The whole experience
He said that for some years there had been such a consular turned out better than I could ever have imagined. And
position in Denver, Colorado, but that the gentleman there everything so impressed Ingvi and Hjolmfridur that, when
had recently passed away and Ingvi felt Salt Lake City was they finally took their leave, they repeatedly thanked us and
more central for the Inter-mountain area and therefore they hoped some day to return.
would really like me to accept the assignment. Ingvi added
that it usually took the U.S. Government several months to After this first experience, we didn’t have to extend more
give final clearance on such appointments, but he concluded than one invitation to each of the other ambassadors. The
by kiddingly calling me “Consular Leifson.” Ingvarssons must have painted a very nice picture because
the others that followed, both Tomas Tommasson and Einar
I helped the Icelandic government with this assignment Benediktsson, quickly accepted to visit, and afterwards both
until 1995 when we were called to go to Switzerland of them and their spouses seemed to have enjoyed their
to serve in the Swiss Temple. I actually worked with experiences just as much as Ingvi and Hjolmfridur had before
three different ambassadors during the time I served as them. Although I had invited Einar to come, Loyce and I left
Honorary Consul and was pleased to have invited all on our Swiss Temple mission just before he and his wife were
three of them to visit Utah. Ingvi and his beautiful wife able to visit in Utah.
were the first to come. No Icelandic ambassador had ever
visited here before. Because the early Icelandic converts to Because of some delays with visas, we were first sent to
the LDS Church many years previously had been treated Washington, D.C. before leaving for Switzerland and actually
rather poorly by the government of Iceland, I think the spent a couple of months there before continuing on to

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Employment Experiences

Consul Notification from the Icelandic Embassy

75

Sagas of My Life

Europe. Right after the Benediktssons returned from Utah While we were in Europe, my successor, Clark
and while we were still in our nation’s capital, Einar insisted Thorstenson, and his assistant, Brent Hammond,
that we come to their very lovely home there in D.C. for a were able to get President Grimsson and his lovely
visit. He was so excited about his experiences in Utah, and wife to pay a visit to our little Icelandic colony in Utah.
as Loyce and I left he gave me a big bear hug and said, “Thor, He obviously enjoyed it for he later made a 2nd visit.
you haven’t seen the last of me, for sure.” I took that to mean So, we now have some great connections with high
that he would like to come back for another visit to Utah government officials in Iceland and that is bound to be
after he retired. I also wanted to think that he had more of help for the future of the Church in this wonderful,
interest in the Church than he was willing to show while he little land of my paternal forbears.
was still in public service.
My next work experience was the building of another
I should also mention that we were privileged to meet with home for my family immediately after I retired
two Icelandic Presidents, Mrs. Vigdis Finnbogadottir in from full time employment in 1993. Soon after our
Wash., D.C. and later with Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. marriage in 1956, Loyce’s folks had given us a small

Loyce, Pres Hinkley, Holmfridur, Ambassador Ingvarsson, Thor
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Employment Experiences

Leifsons with Pres. & Mrs. Grimsson Thor with Pres. Finabogadottir

Thor with Tommassons Leifsons with Einer Benediktsson
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Sagas of My Life

piece of property in the North Fork of the Provo would not have been able to complete our project as
Canyon. We had hopes of being able to build a small successfully as it finally turned out. We ended up with
cabin on the site; however, a few years later when I a very valuable piece of land. So, finally, early in 1993
applied for a building permit, it was declined by the with plenty of time available following my retirement,
County Building Department because the property I was determined that we would now accomplish our
was too small and had inadequate access for fire long-time goal of building a nice home on this choice
fighting equipment. At the time, we decided to simply piece of property. I quickly learned, however, that the
hold on to the land and use it for summer picnics and County Building Commission was equally determined
camping. Then later we were able to buy an equal that we would not do so. They seemed to fight me at
amount of adjoining land. However, the county would every turn until I reached the point of almost giving
still not issue me a building permit, claiming it was up in defeat. It became apparent to me that they were
still not accessible for fire fighting equipment. Many trying every way possible to prevent my moving ahead
years later, something happened that changed things with the project. I won’t go into the many details of
for the better. our struggles, except to point out that just in order to
obtain the permit for a bridge across the stream I had
A movie star named Robert Redford, who had to go through five different government agencies and
purchased several thousand acres surrounding our it took months just to get that first permit approved.
land shortly after we became owners there, decided to Then after several more months of hassle on the main
develop some lots around our small property and was building permit, I became so frustrated that I finally
kind enough to invite us to become a part of his carefully made an appointment to appeal my case before the full
planned development. When his attorney explained the County Planning Board in an open public meeting.
details of their proposed project and formally invited This turned out to be very good strategy for, strangely
us to join them, I tried not to show my excitement, but enough, only a couple of hours before the scheduled
it was hard, for I could immediately see that by being a meeting was to begin, I received a call from the County
part of a county approved development, we would very Building Supervisor informing me they had approved
likely be able to build our long-desired mountain home my permit so I would not need to make my presentation
on this beautiful site in the midst of tall, shady pine and at the meeting. I was tempted to go to the meeting
fir trees, alongside a soul-soothing, babbling brook. I anyway and share my frustrations with the group;
was really excited, but tried my best not to show it. I but decided that, since I was assured I would have the
then negotiated with Redford for three main things I permit, I had better let things be, rather than “stir the
felt we needed. One was to buy some additional land water” and risk further difficulties if I publicly exposed
from him, secondly to move our boundaries farther their bureaucratic shenanigans. I later found out that
upstream in order to include a picturesque waterfall on others in the Sundance area had experienced similar
our land, and thirdly, to reconfigure the shape of our difficulties with the County Building Commission, so
lot to have more flat surface and less footage higher it was obviously an unwritten policy they followed to
on the mountain which was really not usable land. discourage building in the canyon.
Later, just in case their proposed sewer system did not
materialize, I requested an easement to go out on his Our Sundance project was a tremendous challenge. Because
land with a field drain, if it would later be required of the land had now become so valuable, I threw out the old
me to install my own septic system. All of these things cabin plans I had worked and reworked many times and
proved to be very vital for us, and without them we decided to build a much larger and also much higher quality

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Employment Experiences

Sundance Retreat

of home. We decided to use a great deal of natural stone turned out to be among the very best experiences of my
both inside and outside and also a large amount of natural working life. After supervising and managing construction
wood in the great room, the dining room, the kitchen and for many years, it felt especially good to once again enjoy
in the library/study. The home contained five bedrooms the direct hands-on experience in the actual building
and five baths and there were several decks and balconies on process. Then probably of equal or even greater importance
the two upper levels. Three of the bedrooms were actually was developing several really good friendships with those
large suites with private baths, reading areas, etc. See page with whom I worked, especially with Kip and his family.
218 for a list of the home’s features, which our broker used
in marketing our place after we lived there for five years. Before beginning our Sundance project, our principal goals
were two fold: first of all, we had always wanted to live in
At the time I was ready to commence construction, I worked this beautiful mountain area for a few years after retirement,
out a trade with Kip Apostle to sell him the lot next to ours, and secondly, it became quite obvious that building a better
which I had previously purchased, in exchange for an quality of structure would very likely pay healthy dividends
equally valued amount in labor and equipment, which Kip when we were ready to put the home on the market. We knew
agreed to provide for our project. Although I did as much of that because we were now in our 60’s we would probably only
the work as possible and also coordinated and supervised have a few years during which it would be practical for us to
the sub-contractors, Kip and his crew were involved in most live in the mountains. As it turned out, we only had the home
of the concrete and structural work. I consulted with him for about five years, but they were truly wonderful years!
regularly and used his contractor’s license for the permits,
etc. It was a great working relationship with Kip and his Another work assignment I became involved with at about
crew and, in spite of many challenges and struggles, I felt the same time I began working on our Sundance project
we ended up with a really first rate job. This entire venture was an LDS service mission to which I was called soon

79

Sagas of My Life

after retiring from full-time employment with the Church months’ time so we decided we should put our Sundance
in May of 1993. This service mission was a part-time place on the market while we were on this mission,
assignment, which I performed at Church Headquarters. It expecting it would take a year or two for it to sell. Other
actually involved only one or two days each week and we homes similar to ours in the area had been on the market
completed the work that was needed in about eight months’ for that long. We felt it would be good to leave this task
time. I will give more details about this in a separate chapter in the hands of a really good realtor and let him market
on missions. the home as he saw best. We were really surprised that
within just a month or so we received two firm offers
Then our comfortable living in Sundance was put on hold from persons wanting to buy our place. I was even more
in June of 1995 for we were called to serve yet another LDS surprised at the price these buyers were willing to pay. So,
mission in Europe. I suppose this would once again be in conclusion, regarding this Sundance project, I must
classified as a type of employment of our time, although at say that, although it truly was very challenging during the
our own expense. The assignment was for the Swiss Temple, construction, as I have noted before, it was also one of the
and the Temple Department seemed very anxious to get most interesting and rewarding of the many employments
us over there. However, they obviously made an error in I have been involved with throughout my life.
submitting the requests for our visas, so they let us know while
we were still in the Mission Training Center that they would Regarding this mission we were asked to consider, I should
be sending us to the Washington, D.C. Temple for a short perhaps explain in more detail what it was about. I was invited
time until they could obtain our visas for Switzerland. We to supervise the construction of a new temple in our old field
thoroughly enjoyed the few weeks we spent in Washington, of labor in Western Europe. It was to be a large temple, so we
D.C. and also the approximate one and one half years in anticipated it would probably take from two to three years
Switzerland. Once again I’ll give more details about this in to complete the project. As it turned out, there have been
the chapter on missions. long delays because of problems relating to the property.
But since we found a buyer for our Sundance home in such
During the three years following our temple mission, my a short time, we really weren’t too inconvenienced at first
time was spent primarily completing a lot of details on our with the delay on the mission for it allowed us ample time
Sundance home and serving as a temple worker and sealer to complete the Sundance sale and also purchase our nice
in the Provo Temple. Most of the work remaining to do at condo near the temple in Provo. As the delay continued for
Sundance was on the landscaping. I often used a small team month after month, we were also able to build a lovely patio
of fine Latino workers from the Sundance Resort as part- home in the Entrada area of St. George during the later part
time helpers. They were a delight to work with. Antonio of the year 2000.
and his crew taught me some Spanish in addition to what
I learned in the Swiss Temple. Spanish is quite similar Because of the prolonged delay with the temple building
to French, and thus it made it fairly easy and fun to learn. assignment, much of my time during 2000 was spent
During this time I finally felt I was in semi-retirement and in remodeling our Provo condo and in overseeing the
so I spent parts of each day reading good literature and construction of our place in St. George. However, sub-
hiking on the marvelous mountains above and around our contractors provided most of the remodeling work we
Sundance home. This proved to be a relaxing and wonderful had done in our Provo home. And, I should add, the
time of life for me. home in St. George was actually done by contract, but
with a great deal of input from us throughout the course
In 1999 we were asked to consider yet another LDS of construction. We made a lot of changes in the basic
mission in Europe. We expected to leave in only a few

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Employment Experiences

plan at St. George and also made several alterations in Provo and also in St. George; reading more than ever
our Provo home as well. Although I have always loved before; completing my personal history and histories of
the direct involvement in doing carpentry and other my ancestors; enjoying extensive travels; attending more
construction work, it is really quite nice, at my age, to sports activities, symphonies and lectures than we had
mainly direct the work and let the younger men do most time for in the past; and during our winter months in St.
of the sweating. We were very pleased with the end results George participating in classes and other activities through
on each of these homes and we really enjoyed both of the Institute of Continued Learning program which is
these fine living accommodations. My main concern provided by the Dixie State College. This program is geared
at the time was that I couldn’t help but feel somewhat specifically for older retired folks and it offers classes in
guilty in owning two such lovely homes, so after a couple many different fields, field trips in geology and botany,
of years we decided to sell the beautiful place in St. fascinating hikes, as well as 4-wheel treks to places of
George. It seemed much more practical to simply rent interest throughout the areas around St. George.
a nice apartment each year for the three months or so of
winter. This arrangement seems to have worked out very In conclusion, the many employment experiences during
well, and both Loyce and I feel this is the best way for us my lifetime have been quite varied but always interesting
as far as our living facilities were concerned. and rewarding. Each work experience has taught me a lot
and has been the means of meeting many choice friends.
In summary, regarding my employment experiences And now, even in my retirement years, I must say that this
and how I am now employed, I should perhaps say that I present period and its activities seem to be just as fulfilling
have spent most of my time during recent years primarily and enjoyable as any previous time!
in temple work; in hiking on the nearby mountains in

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82

Chapter 5

MILITARY EXPERIENCES

Sagas of My Life

MILITARY EXPERIENCES

There are times when frustrations or disappointments lead Also, my older brother Ted had served valiantly in the
us to do some rather strange things. Such seems to have Navy and I felt it would be great to serve in the same
been the case with me following an unsuccessful attempt branch of service. To my further disdain and humiliation,
to join the Marine Corps near the end of World War II. A however, I was rejected just as before for the same reason.
few of my classmates had actually enlisted in the service The thoughts of returning home a second time in such
or been drafted during our senior year of high school even defeat was almost unbearable. The recruiting officer must
though it was then obvious the war was winding down. It have noticed my devastated disappointment, for he spoke
seems strange now, in view of later public resistance to US to me in what I first thought was an encouraging way as I
involvement in any type of war, and draft dodging becoming was turning to leave.
such an issue, that most young men back in the mid 1940’s
were hoping they could get to the battlefront before the war “Say, young man, if you’re so determined to enlist,
was concluded. why don’t you try the Army recruiter next door? They
take just about anyone, -- if they can find a pulse,” he
The day after our graduation from high school a group of laughingly added.
us classmates who had played football together took the
train into Salt Lake City to enlist in the military. To my To others his comments would, no doubt, have been taken
great surprise and embarrassment, I was the only one of the as an insult, but to me they were a faint glimmer of hope. I
several eager, patriotic, young men to be rejected for duty immediately presented myself to the Army recruiter and,
with the Marines. The examining physician said I was in to my relief and delight; I was inducted that very day into
perfect physical condition except that my eyesight was so the U.S. Armed Forces. All they required was that I had
poor they could not accept me. What a devastating thing 20/20 vision with eyeglasses, which was no problem for
this was for one so anxious to serve. Sorrowfully, I waved me at that time.
good-bye to my buddies and, hoping not to see anyone
who knew me, dejectedly made my way back home to The next day at Fort Douglas, Utah, several of us new
Spanish Fork. recruits were issued our standard military gear, including
new clothing, and then spent most of the day in orientation
A few days later another group of us decided to join the meetings. We were also subjected to a number of written
Navy. Although to me this didn’t seem quite as glorious tests, which made me wonder if I was merely transferring
and demanding as the Marines, still it would no doubt be a from the schooling from which I was happy to escape into
great adventure and provide some fascinating experiences a continuation of somewhat the same thing. I was later to
to sail the seven seas in defense of our country’s honor. reflect back numerous times on this theme of wanting to
escape from situations we may find difficult and distasteful.

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Sagas of My Life

A few days after being sworn in, our sergeant ordered me there was some way for me to escape from this duty I
to his office. had been given by the sergeant. But then, as if this were
not enough, he added.
“Leifson, tomorrow morning eight of you will be shipping
out to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and I’m assigning you to “If you let those bums escape before you get them to Fort
be responsible that all of your group arrive there safe and Bragg, you may end up serving some time in the brig
sound,” he commanded in a very determined voice. yourself, which is customary with this type of military
duty,” he intoned in his deep, monotone voice. I was to
“But, Sergeant, some of our group are older than I am, so learn later that this was only partially true but, at the time
why should I ...” He cut me off in mid-sentence. I believed his every word, which was the reason for my
great concern at each stop during our lengthy, sometimes
“Soldier,” he fairly shouted at me, “in this man’s army you don’t interesting, and yet tedious train ride to our destination.
ask questions, you simply do what you’re told to do. And I’m
telling you, you’re in charge of this group until you get them to That long train ride across our country was an experience
Fort Bragg. Do you understand me?” he screamed as if I was I could never forget. We crossed the Rockies, the Great
hard of hearing. I had seen some of this type of sergeant stuff Plains, the wide Mississippi, the Chicago stockyards, the
in the movies, but I could hardly believe it really happened Appalachians, the New York City area and then down
until actually experiencing it that day. He then softened just a the Eastern Coast to North Carolina. It took us almost a
bit and continued in his deep bass voice. full week and, although at times it was fascinating for a
country boy to see so many of the lovely, wonderful sights
“Yea, there are a couple of the guys that are older and of our great country, it was also a tremendously stressful
probably wiser than you, but I don’t make the rules, voyage for me. Each stop at major cities when we were
I just follow them,” he snarled. “They go by the IQ allowed to get off the train for a short time was a relaxing
test scores and you seem to have lucked out over break, but also a frightful experience for me because of the
this bunch of dummies you’re with,” he sneered. dire warning the sergeant had given me just prior to our
“So don’t think you’re so smart, because you’re all departure from Salt Lake City.
a bunch of knuckleheads to want to join up before
you’re drafted,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. Then Another negative was that a coal-fired engine pulled the
the sergeant spoke in a more controlled voice as he train. It was summertime and the weather was extremely
explained what he felt I needed to understand about hot, so naturally we would open the windows to try to get
the rather challenging assignment he was giving me. some cool, fresh air. The problem with that was that the
Looking back after many years, it still seems difficult air was anything but fresh for it was filled with soot-laden
to conceive the fear he put into the heart of a young smoke, and soon everything inside the train was covered
18 year old kid as he looked piercingly into my eyes with a layer of black soot and cinders. After a couple of days
and continued his counsel. I felt so dirty and grimy I could hardly bear it.

“Two of these new soldiers for whom you are responsible One of our group was a boy from Provo named Doug
are parolees who were given the choice of either joining the Thayer. He reminded me recently during a discussion
army or going back to jail!” he solemnly stated. of our famous train ride that, after a few days, we were all
short of money and so decided to play penny poker so at
The thought quickly flashed through my mind about least one of us could buy a sandwich. Actually I think the
their probably wanting to escape if the opportunity one who lucked out shared his treat with each of the others.
presented itself, and I too wished with all my being that

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The small group of us actually started to develop a sort of “Hey, Ret,” he shouted in his colorful brogue. Interestingly
bonding and friendship and, when we did finally arrive at enough, although I always had bright red hair, Alias was
Fort Bragg where we were assigned to different companies; about the only person who ever called me “Red,” and from
it was difficult for me to leave the others. him it always came out “Ret” because of his accent. “I’ve
found the perfect future for you and for me,” he continued.
And yet, even though it was a bit hard to be split from some “There’s a recruiter over on the parade grounds signing up
of our little team, I was really relieved that all of us arrived anyone who wants to join the paratroopers. We can almost
safely, and I was even more relieved to be able to deliver to double our pay from $52 to $100 per month,” he exclaimed
the officer in charge the packet of documents I had been as he grabbed my shoulders and danced around me in his
carrying all the way from Salt Lake City. The two older men usual excited manner.
gave me no trouble at all; however, two of the younger men
at our stop in either Chicago or New York almost missed I must admit that I was a bit excited myself, and then I quickly
the train as we were pulling out of the station. Fortunately realized that we would no doubt be subjected to another
they were able to run and jump on just in time as the train rigorous physical to qualify for this very demanding outfit.
was gathering speed.
“Alias, I’d love to join the paratroopers with you but I’m just
The only Utah recruit I kept some contact with was certain I could never pass their physical exam,” I dejectedly
Doug Thayer. However, we were assigned to different explained. He became very quiet for a moment or two and
companies throughout our basic training so we had then, as he turned to leave, I heard him mumble something
very little time to spend together. I thought Doug was about needing to check things out. Alias was such an
coming into the paratroopers but apparently it didn’t enterprising young man that he surprised me almost daily
work out. There was also another LDS boy from Hawaii with his clever ideas.
who dropped out of the paratroopers after only a couple
of weeks, leaving me the only Mormon in our parachute The next day as Alias approached me at a rapid pace, I
outfit that I was aware of. could see he was once again bubbling with excitement
about something.
During the eight weeks of regular basic training I became
good friends with a really interesting fellow by the name of “Hey, Ret, we can do it without any problem,” he said.
Alias Halkitis. He was of Greek origin but had been raised in
Egypt. His father had been Captain of a ship that freighted ”Do what, my friend?” I replied.
between Cairo and the US. Alias had actually stowed away
on his father’s freighter and had jumped ship in New York, “We can pass that eye exam without any problem and be
and this was not found until after his father’s ship had sailed. in the paratroopers next week,” he fairly shouted with glee.
Alias, who was a smooth talker, convinced the Immigration He then went on to explain that he had checked everything
authorities to let him serve in the US military. He was aware out and had learned exactly how the physicals for the
that after doing this it was quite easy to get US citizenship, paratroopers were handled. For the eye exam the recruits
which was what he really wanted. simply lined up behind a doorway between two rooms and
read aloud the eye chart on the wall at the opposite end
As we were nearing the end of our basic training, Alias came of the one room. The examiner was seated at a small table
to me one day and I could see that he was even more excited a short distance into the room. Alias said he would stand
than usual. Alias was always full of energy, quick of wit, and right behind me and quietly whisper to me whichever line
was very enthusiastic in almost everything he did. I’ll tell the examiner asked for. I really didn’t have much hope that
some interesting stories about him later. his little scheme could work, but I was willing to give it a

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Military Experiences

try. It was simply amazing to me how smoothly Alias and I purchased some liniment. It proved to be worse than the
passed our eye exam! Soon we were on our way with several soreness, for I had rubbed too much of it too vigorously into
others to Ft. Benning for our parachute training. my muscles and after only a few minutes it stung terribly.
I immediately went into the showers and that seemed to
Never had I suffered more from both the heat and the cold make it burn even worse! Soon, however, most of us got
than at Ft. Benning, Georgia. During our several week ourselves into really good condition and I was surprised
parachute training we first had to bear the sultry heat as that I actually put on about 20 pounds of good, solid,
we were put through rigorous exercises to get us in top muscle weight. My normal weight had been about 155 and
physical shape. After a few weeks the sultry heat turned to in only a few weeks I was 175. This training was so tough
very cold humidity and it was impossible for me to keep that many began dropping out of the program after only a
warm even with an extra, heavy woolen pullover-sweater few days. Our platoon leader, Sgt. Pinerro, was especially
the Army issued to each of us. That frigid humidity seemed rough on the new recruits. I recall the first day when we
to penetrate right through to my very core. were lined up for an inspection he stopped in front of me
and really took me to task.
I’ll never forget the five-mile runs we were required to do
each day as part of the training. My legs were so sore and “What are you doing here wearing those glasses, soldier,”
stiff after the first couple of days that I went to the PX and he shouted.

“I’m okay without them, Sergeant, it’s just that I see a little
better with them,” I fibbed.

“Well,” he mockingly continued, “I’m telling you right here
and now you’ll never make it through this program. We
make only real men here, not scholars,” he concluded with
a sneer. He then went on down the line belittling almost
every recruit just as he had done with me. His insinuating
remarks that I was not a candidate for real manhood just
made me all the more determined to prove him wrong.
He seemed to thrive on developing hatred towards himself
among the troops.

The feelings of hatred towards Sergeant Pinerro grew so
strong that after a few weeks some of the men in our platoon
pulled a really mean trick on him. We were quartered
in a two level barracks with all of the recruits in bunks in
the large, central, open space. Sgt. Pinerro, as well as the
other platoon leaders, had private rooms at one end of the
building and there were showers, etc. at the other end with
all the recruits in between. A set of stairs ascended between
the open area and the private rooms. Sgt. Pinerro’s room
was at the top of the stairs. Unlike the recruits, the platoon
leaders had no restrictions on their evening hours and it

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was Sgt. Pinerro’s habit to party two or three nights each “I wouldn’t bother the Captain until at least 5:00 am.” But
week and come back to the barracks in the wee hours of the Sgt. Pinerro seemed to pay the warning little heed and
morning. A half dozen of the guys decided it was time to furiously hurried on his way.
“get even” with the Sgt. So, one night when he was “out on
the town,” they stacked three heavy footlockers at the top It must have been at least an hour or more later that our
of the stairs in such a way that they would easily tip over on entire platoon of approximately 50 men was ordered to
him as he reached the top of the stairs in the dark to get to stand in formation outside our barracks. The Sergeant
his room. My bunk was about in the middle of the open had cleaned up his face and had a large bandage across his
space on the lower level, but I was awakened with a start forehead. He then gave a short speech primarily giving the
as I heard a crashing sound and a lot of shrieking profanity guilty recruits a chance to “fess up.” During the past hour or
coming from the distant stairway. Immediately the lights so word had gone through the barracks that there was strong
came on and everyone was ordered to stand at attention in support for the perpetrators of the misdeed or “justified
his shorts at the foot of his bunk. Soon Sgt. Pinerro, with his deed,” depending on one’s view, and most of the troops
face covered in blood from visible cuts on his head, and the felt we should support those responsible by accepting, as
other platoon leaders appeared before us. a unified body, whatever punishment was to be meted out.
Accordingly, Sgt. Pinerro received the same response - or
“All right, men,” he shrieked, “I hereby order any of you no response - just as before.
who were responsible for this stupid, footlocker trick to
step forward.” To the sergeant’s bitter consternation not We were next ordered to strip to the waist and told we
one person moved. The unbloodied parts of his face then would be taking a good, long run with our “beloved” Sgt.
quickly turned almost the same color as the blood-streaked Pinerro leading the way. My own thought at that moment
parts and he then threateningly stated. was of real pleasure for I was now in really good shape and
I felt I could run “Mr. Atlas” into the ground. The Sgt. had
“Either you who are guilty will come forward now like a build like a weight lifter, and at that time I felt men who
men with some guts or the entire platoon will suffer were built like that must be what was referred to as “muscle
the consequences of your ridiculously, stupid actions.” bound,” and, although they were usually very strong, they
There was still no one who made a move. The same would not be able to run long distances very effectively. I
procedure was then enacted with the recruits on the had done well running the long distances in high school
upper level with obviously the same results. I think track and it seemed like the heavily muscled boys just didn’t
most of us really didn’t know who the guilty ones were do as well as us thinner guys.
for sure, but most of us had a pretty good idea which
recruits were likely responsible. As we marched out to the parade grounds where we usually
started our daily runs, I noticed two or three large troop
The platoon leaders then huddled together for a few carrier trucks, one of which was marked with the large
minutes and next moved into Sgt. Pinerro’s room for Red Cross. It was then that I realized that our company
further consultations. After an hour or so they came out commander must have given Sgt. Pinerro permission to
and one of them ordered us to get dressed in our fatigues run our entire platoon “into the ground,” or into the hospital
and be ready to “fall out in formation.” It must have now if need be!
been about 4:00 am. Then as Sgt. Pinerro was storming
out of the barracks, one of the other cadre leaders As it turned out, I was wrong about Sgt. Pinerro. After about
shouted to him... ten miles, when more than half of our platoon had collapsed
along the side of the road and been picked up by the trucks

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that followed us, he was jumping and dancing alongside answering my question he became very belligerent and
those of us who could still continue and he was laughing took a swing at me. We began to mix it up just as the young
almost hysterically while he jeered, mocked and goaded Lieutenant recently assigned to our company happened
us with gloating glee. He kept telling us that he was almost by. He and others quickly broke us apart, but he then
certain all of those who had pulled the dirty trick on him sent someone to the company recreation hall to get some
had long since dropped out and, as soon as any of the rest boxing gloves. He next took a stick and marked off a boxing
of us was willing to give him the information he wanted, we ring in the sand between our barracks. Before we knew it
would stop the run. Still nobody seemed willing to divulge there seemed to have been a hundred or more soldiers
to the Sgt. what he wanted. around the improvised ring and our Lieutenant agreed
to be the referee. He had obviously had some boxing
We trudged along for most of the morning and, although experience and loved to see a fight. Even though I had very
I don’t know exactly how far we ran on this punishing little boxing experience, and it was obvious the Catholic
experience, some later said it was over 20 miles. I do recall boy was somewhat larger than I was, I honestly think it
that there were only three of us who were still running with was because I had such a loud and boisterous cheering
Sgt. Pinerro when he called it quits and headed back to crowd with me that I was soon able to get the better of my
the barracks. Actually, even though this was a really body Catholic opponent/friend and get him to call it quits. The
wrenching experience, it turned out to be a positive thing Lieutenant suggested we shake hands and try harder to
for me in the long run. After the run, Sgt. Pinerro treated get along. I told him I had never tried to do otherwise. The
me altogether differently, as he seemed to with the other strange thing was that after this fight my Catholic friend,
two who were able to stay with him to the end of the run. as I referred to him above, actually became just that. After
Afterwards, I often thought it would have been interesting the fight, he always greeted me in a friendly way and never
to have continued on to see which of the four of us could belittled the Mormons again to my knowledge.
have endured longest. I’m not so sure though that it would
not have been the Sergeant. Nevertheless, my doing as well I mentioned earlier that I would relate some stories about my
as I did in that run gave me a great deal of self confidence friend Alias Halkitis. I’ve already told how he cleverly helped me
which has helped me greatly throughout my life, and that with the eye exam to get into the paratroopers. Alias was really
alone was probably the most important result of this event. a fun-loving guy but had a mischievous and sometimes daring
Another result was that the other men in our platoon spirit about him. For example, when we lined up for inspections,
treated the three of us who had stayed with the Sergeant as an officer would come along in front of us and randomly check
real heroes and seemed to show us much greater respect different ones of the soldiers for neatness, polished brass, clean
after that memorable day. rifles, etc. As the officer started to raise his arm to take the rifle,
we were to quickly withdraw our hands at the very moment his
It was probably because of my success in Sergeant Pinerro’s hand reached the weapon. Alias was very clever in that he would
ruthless run that brought me such a strong cheering crowd flip the rifle downward at that exact instant of exchange and
and supporting cast in my boxing fight with a fellow from the rifle would fall to the ground to the embarrassment of the
the company next to ours. I could never figure it out, but officer. It was hard for others of us nearby to keep a straight face
there was a Catholic boy in the barracks across from ours for we knew this was intentional on Alias’ part. He was careful
who found out I was a Mormon and he thereafter delighted not to pull this little trick more than once on each officer, and
in giving me a hassle every time we passed one another. yet he did this to each of the various officers and made each
Finally, one day I stopped him and asked him just what of them think that they were the ones responsible. In their
was bothering him so much about Mormons. Without embarrassment I doubt they shared this with one another.

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There was another amusing thing that Alias would always to squeeze behind those seated at the counter. This one
do as our platoon or company would pass another group happened to be a Greek cafe. I no sooner opened the door
of soldiers. It was common practice, especially as we were to enter when there was a loud shout that almost blew me
passing a new group of soldiers, for many to call out to the back outside, “Hey, Ret, I can’t believe you have found me!”
others, “Is there anyone there from Los Angeles?” “Anybody screamed my dear friend, Alias! I hesitated to explain to him
there from Jersey City?” “Anybody there from Phoenix?” that our meeting was simply a very strange coincidence. It
etc. There was usually a happy reply and they would then was really almost unbelievable that in this tremendously
agree to meet at a given time in front of the PX or some large city of almost 10 million people I should run into
other place to talk about their home town. Alias would wait probably the only other person I knew! We had a delightful
until this sort of died out and then in his heavily accented reunion and the Greek food he insisted on serving us was
voice he would cry out, “Ess deer anyvody deer froom so delicious that I’ve always loved Greek cuisine ever since.
Eeegypt?” There would always be a momentary pause and Alias assured me he would visit me someday in Utah, but
then a great outburst of laughter. as yet it hasn’t happened, and I don’t expect to be quite so
fortunate and find him again as I did there in New York City
After about a year’s time Alias was granted U.S. citizenship over 50 years ago.
and allowed to leave the service. We said our farewells and
he headed off for New York City where he had an uncle Let’s return now to my parachutist training at Ft. Benning,
or cousin who had agreed to help him find a job and get Georgia. I had previously worked very hard in construction
a start in America. I felt this was the last I would ever see and on farms, but nothing could begin to compare with the
of my good friend Alias. Strangely enough, however, only rigorous training we were given as paratroopers. We did at
a short time later a few of us from the 82nd Airborne least an hour of calisthenics each morning and afternoon,
Division were selected for special, short-term duty in New after which we would run at least five miles daily. We
York City to assist in escorting the remains of soldiers who were put through an obstacle course each day, suffered
had been killed in Europe and were being returned to the through seemingly endless close order drills and bayonet
States for burial. We were stationed at the Brooklyn Army training and, of course, attended classroom instructions
Base on Long Island just across the harbor from the Statue on something or other each day. I seemed to do fairly well
of Liberty. Late one evening a buddy and I were returning on just about everything, especially the running and the
from Queens, where we had visited some of his relatives, to obstacle courses. The bayonet drill was the toughest activity
our base in Brooklyn. To get home we had to take a train for me because it involved holding in one arm the M-1 rifle
(subway) from Long Island back to Manhattan, then come with the bayonet attached out to one side with the arm fully
up out of that station, walk a block or two over to another extended. If you lowered your arm before the drill sergeant
subway line and this train then took us back across the gave the order to do so, you were required to do 25 pushups.
Hudson to our base in Brooklyn. This was the routine for any infraction or goof on the part of
any soldier. In the beginning of our training, I’m quite sure
While walking between the two subway lines, we passed a most of us did two or three hundred pushups each day. The
little cafe and my friend said, “Hey, Thor, let’s grab a little bayonet drill sergeant would intentionally make all of us
snack, I’m hungry.” We’d had a nice meal earlier but I agreed hold the rifles out until our arms gave out and then made
to join him. us do pushups until we were almost mad enough to kill him
- and in some cases not just almost. Then he would lithely
As was typical in New York City at that time, there were spring onto an elevated platform, surrounded by all of the
lots of these little Ethnic cafes, hardly wide enough for rest of us on all four sides. He next stripped himself to the
the counter and a row of stools and just room enough

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waist and was obviously pompously proud of his very well ground he was knocked unconscious. After that, no one
formed and tremendous physique. Then he smugly shouted else was willing to hassle with the sergeant. However, after
out a taunting threat to the already maddened troops. this event, there seemed to be a sort of compromise as we
became very willing students and the sergeant, in turn,
“Okay, you bunch of mommy’s boys, I challenge any one became less of a bully.
of you to come up here and see if you can run me through
with your bayonet! I’ve had a lot who have tried, but not one I had another experience with Bama a short time later that
has succeeded,” he screamed at the top of his voice. It was I can never forget. As part of our training we were required
quite obvious from the heavy scars on his sides and back to pack our own chutes before each jump. There were many
that some had apparently come fairly close. Immediately long tables in an old airplane hangar where this was done.
some of the troops began to plead with the more athletic After we finished carefully folding and packing our chutes,
ones among us to accept his challenge and hopefully end we would store them in some open cubicles that were
our misery, at least for that day. There were two or three who numbered so we knew which chute belonged to which
finally agreed, but of this small group the others acceded to man. The next day when we filed by to pick up our chutes
a big, brute of a guy who had been an All American fullback for another parachute jump, my cubicle was empty. The
at the University of Alabama. sergeant suggested I stand by, for he felt someone would
surely realize he had the wrong chute and would return it
“Go get him, Bama,” someone shouted and then it seemed for his own. This didn’t happen, but there was an extra chute
everyone picked up on it and began screaming, “Go, left off to the side of the storage area.
Bama! Go, Bama! Get him, Bama! Kill him, Bama!” Bama
really was a crowd favorite and most of us knew him as a “Well,” said the sergeant, “someone has obviously got
tremendous athlete. It was just amazing how he could be mixed up and has grabbed your chute by mistake, so you’ll
down on all fours and then, simply by flexing his muscles, just have to jump this one that’s left.” I asked if I could have a
he could lift himself into the air and land on his feet. I have few minutes and repack it so I’d be sure it was okay. He said,
never in my many years seen any other man do such a “No we don’t have time for that.” I couldn’t help but feel that
thing. So we were all excited - even ecstatic - to see Bama someone had little confidence in how he had packed his
accept the challenge as he easily jumped onto the platform chute and that he had switched the chutes intentionally. I
carrying his rifle lightly in hand with the fixed bayonet at think the sergeant felt the same way although he didn’t say
the ready. He seemed completely fearless as he faced the as much. The platoon was marching toward the plane and
snarling sergeant. He made several fake moves attempting he signaled for me to come along with the others.
to throw the sergeant off guard. Although several other
cadres stood by, they seemed quite willing to allow the Actually, in my view, part of our training was to instill in each
action to proceed. And big Bama obviously seemed just as of us a feeling of fatalism. So often the expression was thrown
intent to do serious harm to this boastful bully. After a few out to us, “Don’t worry, if it’s your time to die, then you die!”
more fake moves as the two of them circled each other, So, this was the thought that went through my mind at that
Bama suddenly, and as quick as a cougar, lunged forcefully particular moment. I reluctantly picked up the remaining
at the sergeant. Even quicker, however, the sergeant deftly chute, threw it on my back and ran to catch up with the
evaded the bayonet, tipped Bama’s arm downward, others. I think every trooper was frightened whenever he
causing the bayonet to strike into the platform decking, made a jump, but on that particular jump I must admit I was
and then he effortlessly flipped Bama over his back and doubly frightened! What a relief it was when the parachute
flung him into the air. Poor Bama landed so hard on the popped open that day. I was so concerned that I was well
prepared to draw the large knife we always carried to cut the

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main chute away and depend on the back up chute each of jet stream sort of rolled me along the side of the fuselage
us carried on our chests. I did notice when the chute opened and tangled my chute. When I could see it wasn’t opening
that something grazed my helmet as it flew by me. I later as it normally should, I reached up and shook the shroud
learned it was one of the heavy lead filled bags we used to lines vigorously, fully expecting that I might have to cut
help in packing our chutes. This I was told by a very humble my main chute away and deploy my emergency or reserve
Bama a few days later when he came to me quite sheepishly chute. Suddenly, however, it untangled and popped
to apologize for switching chutes! He confessed that when open, giving me a tremendous jolt, for I had gained a
he couldn’t account for all of the lead bags, he knew he must lot more speed in my descent than was usual when the
have left one of them in the folds of the chute and he was chute opened in the normal way. As the chute exploded
afraid it wouldn’t function properly. He admitted he didn’t open and stopped my fall so abruptly, I felt the straps to
feel certain he could handle the emergency chute if he had the radio pack break away and, although I grabbed for it,
to use it, but he was just sure that I was smart enough and there was no way I was able to hold on, for it happened so
cool-headed enough that it wouldn’t be much of a problem quickly it took me by complete surprise.
for me. He also said he felt perfectly confident that any chute
I packed would work just fine. I had to think over what he had Fortunatelyforme,thecaptainhadtoldmyplatoon sergeant
shared with me, because I couldn’t at first decide whether why he was calling me into his office. I had developed a
to feel mad or complimented by what he had said. I really good relationship with the sergeant (and I had thought also
couldn’t be too mad at him for he was too big and tough and with the captain). The sergeant talked to me confidentially
I was convinced he actually meant me no harm. We became and said he had jumped right after me, had seen my
very good friends after that. He reminded me so much of my problem and felt I had done all I possibly could to save the
friend Vic Thurgood that I couldn’t help but like him. radio equipment. Because of this he felt I was in no way
responsible to have to pay for the damaged gear. (Actually
During my training at Ft. Benning I was pleasantly we later found the radio buried about a foot in the ground).
surprised one day to receive a visit from Bob Bowen, a The sergeant further stated, “I know military procedures
fellow Spanish Forker. Bob was just finishing up his training and you don’t have to sign a ‘statement of charges’ that
there in Officer Candidate School (OCS) and expected to would commit you to pay for that equipment.” He then
be shipped out soon thereafter. He suggested that I might went on to explain that he felt the captain was bucking for a
want to apply for OCS as well. When he explained that it higher rank and was continually trying to make his record
would involve signing over for a three-year commitment to look good by having us troopers pay for anything like this
be a candidate, I remember telling him that another year or just to make a better showing to those in command above
so of the military life was about all I felt I could handle. him. The sergeant’s final comment to me was, “Don’t let the
Old Man intimidate you, Leifson.”
A few months later, after my return to Ft. Bragg, I was called
in to meet with our company commander. I was serving Because of the sergeant, I was well prepared to meet with
at the time as his aide and radioman. He had called me the captain. Just as the sergeant had said, the captain laid a
in a few days previous to this and had ordered me to sign form out on his desk, turned it in my direction, laid a pen
a “statement of charges” in connection with some radio on it and then indicated where I was to sign. “This won’t be
gear, which had broken loose and fallen to the ground too tough on you,” he stated, “because we’ll just have the
during a recent parachute jump I had made. Actually, the paymaster withhold $20 each month from your pay and
radio pack was quite heavy and cumbersome and so, as I you’ll have it paid off in less than a year’s time.” The captain
jumped from the plane, I didn’t get out far enough and the always kept a little black cocker spaniel and I remember

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right at that time it came around his desk and tried to jump perfect type of young man for the military, so here’s what
up to me. This bothered the captain and he came around I propose to you. If you’ll sign over, I’ll arrange for you to
the desk, grabbed his little dog and then tied it to his chair. go to OCS and you’ll be able to get a university degree in
This little interlude seemed to break the formality of the the military. What do you think of that idea?” he asked. All
occasion to my advantage. of this really took me by surprise and I told him I needed
some time to think about it. He said, “That’s fine, you think
When he was seated once again, I gathered up my courage on this for a few days and then we’ll talk about it some more.
and confidently stated, “Sir, I respectfully refuse to sign In the meantime, don’t say anything about this to any of the
that statement of charges for it was not my fault that the others,” he concluded.
heavy radio pack broke away when my parachute popped
open.” He had put me at ease, but I couldn’t help drawing I really thought long and hard on this for the next few
my feet together and standing at attention as I made my days and also made it a matter of some serious prayer. Bob
statement to him. Bowen’s situation kept coming back to my mind and that
three- year commitment he talked of seemed like such an
The captain looked at me long and hard, pursed his lips two eternity at that time in my life. I carefully weighed the pros
or three times, then calmly spoke, “Well, perhaps you are and cons. I could see that if I served three more years, in
right; I suppose there’s not much one can do when those addition to the time I had already put in, that I would be
straps break under that much pressure.” It then seemed almost a fourth of the way to a military retirement, so in all
obvious to me that he had merely wanted to test me. To my likelihood I would then end up with this as my main life’s
complete surprise, he softened somewhat and commended work. An LDS mission had always been in my plans and I
me for the help I had provided as his personal assistant and had intended to serve a mission soon after returning from
radioman. I was then dismissed and told I could leave. the service. If I were to make the Army my career, the plans
for a mission could never materialize. I’ll have to admit that
It was only a few days later when I was summoned once the thoughts of a military retirement, as early as after only
again to meet with the captain. At that time I thought 20 years, which would be at age 38, seemed quite appealing
perhaps he would try again to convince me to sign the to me at times. That would have left plenty of time to get into
statement of charges. It turned out the purpose of this another profession, develop a nice ranch, or do any of the
meeting was entirely different. The captain now seemed other things I sometimes dreamed of at that time of my life.
much more accommodating, even offering me to take a So, you see, the decision was really a very difficult one for
seat in a chair across from him. He began speaking in quite me to make. After a couple of days, however, I had received
friendly terms. a strong impression that the military was not to be my life’s
career. It was of particular interest to me therefore, just a
“Leifson, I see from your file that you have less than a year year or so later, when I was given a battery of aptitude tests
until your time is up. Are you planning to sign over and stay at BYU, to learn from the counselor that the results of the
with us?” he asked as he looked directly into my eyes. tests indicated that I would obviously be best adapted and
likely most successful as a military officer, particularly in the
“Well, Sir,” I replied, “one of the main reasons I joined the Air Force! So, apparently our company commander was
service was for the GI Bill to help finance my university quite perceptive in his analysis of my potentials as a military
studies. So, I really hadn’t planned to re-up, Sir,” I added. man. When I later gave him my decision, he tried hard to
dissuade me, but my mind was firmly set and I patiently
This brought a smile to the captain’s face and he said, “That’s served out my time, received an honorable discharge and
great, young man, and just what I had expected. But I have
an even better plan for you,” he continued. “You are the

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returned home early in 1948, having served less than two The instructors would carefully observe how each of us
years. I was quite sure the captain would possibly treat me landed and then give additional directions on how we could
poorly after my refusal to re-enlist, but he didn’t. It seems I improve. We were also trained on how to “slip” our chutes,
was included in each special assignment that came up after which was a means of having some limited guidance so one
that, such as being a member of a select group chosen to could avoid trees and other such hazards during the descent
do exhibition jumps for President Harry Truman at the to a landing. Some of the “old timers” who became very
National Airport in Washington D.C. for the arrival of proficient also learned to “pop” their chutes about 25 feet
foreign dignitaries, part of the team chosen for war dead above the ground. This was a means of stopping the descent
escort duty in New York, etc. momentarily and, if it was timed perfectly, one could simply
step onto the ground. If you popped your chute too soon
Later, however, I felt I may have made a serious mistake in not or too late, however, it could be really dangerous and cause
accepting to go to OCS because Bob Bowen, and any other injuries. Things had gone so well for me in this training on
officers who chose, were allowed to leave the military during the higher tower that I felt really confident I could duplicate
a cutback in numbers. So perhaps I could have received my this popping the chute procedure that a sergeant had just
officer’s commission and still left the service at about the done. With my limited vision, I must have misjudged the
same time as I did. Bob was actually released from the service distance to the ground, popped my chute too early and then
before I was. picked up even more speed than normal as I made contact
with the ground. A couple of medics came running, ordering
My first parachute jump was such an exciting and me not to move, for they thought I was injured. I knew I was
exhilarating experience that I could never forget it. We were okay, so I told them not to bother as I jumped to my feet and
trained and prepared over a period of 3 or 4 weeks before was rather embarrassed with what I had done as I gathered
we were permitted to do the first jump. It was a given that we my chute for another jump. Before I could get back in line,
were in top physical condition, then we learned other things however, a sergeant was right in my face ordering me not to
such as how to collapse and roll upon contact with the try that procedure ever again. And I didn’t, until I devised a
ground from progressively higher platforms. Contact with way to wear my glasses in later jumps.
the ground in the old style parachutes we used was said to
have been the equivalent of a running jump from a 14 foot Finally, the day arrived for our first official jump from a plane.
high roof, so if you didn’t absorb that much of a shock in the (I recently found a writing assignment I had prepared years
right way you could easily be injured. And even so, it was ago while at the university in which I had described my first
always such a jolt that many of the older troopers developed jump. This was written only a year or two after experiencing
varicose veins in their legs and had to stop jumping. Almost the event so it was still quite fresh in my mind at that time. I
every time we did a regimental jump of about 400 men there will, therefore, simply insert that description here).
would be one of two with broken legs. We also did jumps
from mock towers to get the feel of leaving the airplane. “I’ll never forget that first parachute jump I made in our
These were 30 or 40 feet high and one would jump out of a training. The plane was flying at about 2,000 feet. When it
door, drop perhaps 15 feet, feel a jolt at the end of a simulated was finally my turn, I stood in the open door of the airplane
chute opening and then slide down a cable into a sandy, soft with the wind rippling my clothing as well as the skin on
landing area. Later we were rigged into an actual parachute, my cheek and impatiently waited for the jumpmaster to tap
pulled up to the top of a tower about 250 feet high and then my leg indicating I was to go. For our first jump, we were
released to float to the ground. This really was similar to sent off individually, but afterwards we troopers just ran
the actual jump from a plane, especially the landing part. out through the door in a continuous string. Finally the

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Military Experiences

jumpmaster hit my leg behind the knee so hard it actually that represent villages and their surrounding countryside.
bent my leg and made it quite easy to step out into the open Seeing all of this as you slowly float down through the air is
sky. The wind was very strong in my face, but wanting to a truly thrilling, fantastic experience that everyone should
see and experience all that was going on, I tried to keep my be able to experience at least once in a lifetime.
eyes open as much as possible. As I glanced downward, it
seemed that the earth was rotating under me like a slow I recall on my second jump that the jumpmaster tried
turning disc, but then I realized that it was actually my to stop the line just as I got to the door of the plane by
own body that was slowly spinning. We were instructed sticking his leg across in front of me. With my heavy gear
to begin counting as soon as we left the plane - thousand/ and the momentum I had, however, I was unable to stop
one, thousand/two, and on up to thousand/ten. If our main and so lunged out somersaulting through the air. Later
chute had not popped open by then, we were to use an the Sergeant said to me, “Well, Leifson, I don’t think we’ll
emergency chute, which we packed, on our chests. This was ever worry about having to shove you out of the plane,
hardly ever necessary, for the main chute was very reliable. for we couldn’t stop you even when we wanted to.” When
When the main chute actually opens, you receive a terrific the plane overshoots the targeted landing zone, the jump
jolt and almost always you are left with bruises (raspberry master is responsible to interrupt the jump until the plane
marks, we called them) where the harness straps go over can make a turn and come back over the designated jump
your shoulders and around your buttocks. It is such a relief area or zone. This is what happened that day, but I was able
when the chute opens, however, that you barely notice the to guide my chute back to a clearing and avoid a heavily
momentary pain and then you can hardly avoid letting forested area. Trees and power lines are a parachutist’s worst
out a shout of joy! Immediately after this, the parachutist nightmare. During our training we were taught how to steer
experiences a feeling that is probably unequaled by almost or maneuver our chutes to some degree and thereby usually
any other. I don’t know whether it is more the thrill of avoid such hazards. Speaking of shoving people out of the
knowing that the chute has actually opened and you plane, I recall on two different occasions it was necessary
are now safe, or more the exciting experience of looking for me to shove our company cook out, after he had “frozen”
over such a vast area of the beautiful earth below you as in the door of the plane. We would line up alphabetically
you slowly float through the air like a heavenly being. It by name and since he was named Larsen, I was usually in
usually takes a few moments for you to stop oscillating or line right behind him. Each time I had to push him out, he
swinging back and forth and are able to have a steady view thanked me afterwards. It is hard to understand why this
of the distant skyline, your fellow chutists and the other happens to some guys, even after they may have jumped
interesting scenes around you. The popping of your chute many times before.
definitely takes your breath away, but now with the fantastic
vistas before you, it’s a much softer and more profound type Another interesting thing happened on my second
of taking your breath away. Your descent is then slowed to parachute jump. I had seen several movies about our 82nd
only about eight feet per second and this gives you time to Airborne Division and its involvement and contribution
think and to enjoy the wide, wonderful world below you. in Word War II. During scenes of the Normandy invasion
Looking down, you notice the tiny trees, the thread-like I noticed that a couple of the paratroopers had actually
roads, the black and red dots, which represent horses and taped their glasses on by using strips of adhesive along both
cows, and the very small, colored squares that are the roofs sides of their faces as well as a strip down the middle of
of various homes and other buildings. All of this appears their foreheads and continuing down to the tip of the nose.
very much like the models one often sees in museums Wanting to see more of the beauties available during a jump,
I decided I would pattern after what I had seen done by the

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Sagas of My Life

troopers in the movie, and so I actually did this during each After completing our parachute training, which basically
jump thereafter. I must have looked really odd as we lined required five qualifying jumps plus glider and other types
up for our final inspection just prior to each jump. The first of schooling, we finally earned our parachute “Wings” and
time I taped myself up this way, I could see the Lieutenant were then full-fledged paratroopers! It was truly a great,
who was inspecting us seemed anxious to get to me. Sure uplifting feeling to know you were finally considered a real
enough, he looked me over very carefully, and then told man, one who had accomplished something really special.
me I couldn’t jump with glasses. However, he didn’t tell
me to take them off, so I didn’t. Guess who had taped on Another rather frightening experience I had while stationed
his glasses just as I did on our next jump? That’s right, the at Ft. Benning happened one day while I was on guard duty
Lieutenant! This time he stopped in front of me again and chasing (or guarding) military prisoners, which we were
gave me a smile and a wink. He asked me how I got the idea assigned to do every few months. One of the two guys I
and how it had worked the previous time. I told him and he was guarding tried to escape from me. I had them cleaning
thanked me. After that we were not the only two who were an area alongside a long warehouse some distance from
wearing the taped-on glasses! the main part of the base. The one fellow, whom everyone
called Blackie because of his swarthy, dark complexion

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