With the passing of Elder Hugh W. Pinnock, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the world has lost one of its bright lights.
Elder Pinnock, who died Friday, Dec. 15, at the age of 66 following a brief illness, was, as one associate noted, "the ultimate people person." He had a little notebook that he carried in his pocket, and whenever he met somebody he would take down his or her name and address and then send a note of encouragement.
The following is typical of his many interactions with people: A few years ago, while making arrangements for the re-enactment of the 1847 "Great Trek" across the plains, he befriended a young Japanese college student at a bed and breakfast in Independence, Mo. She was going to school in London and mentioned how lonely she felt. Elder Pinnock, who had served in London years earlier on a church assignment, asked for her address and told her, "You won't be lonely for long." She wasn't. He arranged for his friends to visit her from time to time.
As president of the North America Central Area, he was also president of Nauvoo Restoration Inc. and was instrumental in making arrangements for what has recently transpired in Nauvoo. When he first got that assignment he said he wanted to meet the people of Nauvoo, not just the LDS members. He went from business to business introducing himself and spreading a lot of goodwill.
His concern for the estimated 600 missionaries that served while he was president of the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission was such that after his release he stated, "I haven't lost track of one them." Former missionaries would frequently call on him to introduce him to their spouses and children.
Before being sustained to the First Quorum of Seventy in 1977 — where he served in the quorum presidency from Oct. 4, 1986, to Oct. 1, 1989 — he was in the life insurance business.
He graduated from the University of Utah, where he was president of the student body, with a degree in management from the College of Business. Before earning his degree he serve a two-year mission for the LDS Church in the Western States Mission. After graduation he accepted an officer's commission with the U.S. Army and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Throughout his life, whatever his civic or ecclesiastical duties and assignments, he served others willingly. In fact, he delighted in doing so. That love of life and of others is his legacy.