Ruby Olson Haight never expected to live 70 years. Not only did she pass that mark, she has now has been married for 70 years — to Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The vision that sustained them through those 70 years of marriage helped them earn the "People of Vision" award from Prevent Blindness Utah on Friday.
They were chosen in part because of their long track record of service with the LDS Church. Elder Haight, or Boomps, as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren call him, has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since 1976 and served as a mission president in Scotland.
Through their 70-year marriage, they raised three children, David B. Haight Jr., Robert Peter Haight and Karen Haight Huntsman, who were at the ceremony to honor their parents. Also present were Karen's husband, Jon Huntsman Sr.; friend and LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley; and many of the Haights' grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grethe and Chase Peterson, he the former president of the University of Utah, presented the award.
"Their lives have been rich and inspiring and continue to do so," Grethe Peterson said, adding that Mrs. Haight "loved life as a woman" and that she was "active and contributing in the lives of those she touched."
"When we identify heroes, we define, by example, who and what it is we wish to be as a civilization," Chase Peterson said. Elder Haight acted the same whether he was in the highest or lowest of places, Peterson said, treating people neither as superior nor inferior.
The presentation of the award followed a short film about the Haights in which Karen Huntsman, President Hinckley and some of the Haights' grandchildren spoke about them.
"If at 90, his eyesight dims a bit, his vision only sharpens," Chase Peterson said of Elder Haight.
Since 1980, 36 people have been honored with "People of Vision" awards by Prevent Blindness Utah. The organization focuses on screening children for lazy-eye blindness and adults for glaucoma. In 1999-2000, it screened nearly 200,000 people for vision problems and referred about 450 to physicians for further medical treatment. Friday's dinner doubled as a fund-raising dinner for the organization.
"I'm hoping we might be able to benefit someone else and help them see a little better," Elder Haight said.
"It is a wonderful, wonderful evening here with family and friends. We will treasure these memories always," Mrs. Haight said.
E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com