LOGAN, Utah — Eight Utah State University agriculture students and their instructor who died in a Sept. 26 traffic accident were described Nov. 7 by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve as part of a new "greatest generation."
Speaking at a memorial service in the university's Dee Glen Smith Spectrum events center, at which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed, Elder L. Tom Perry alluded to Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest Generation, that paid homage to Americans who came of age during World War II.
"Today, we add nine very special men to a new 'greatest generation,' " Elder Perry said.
The eight students — Steven D. Bair, Dusty D. Fuhriman, Justin W. Gunnell, Justin C. Huggins, Jonathan D. Jorgensen, Curt A. Madsen, Ryan W. McEntire and Bradley G. Wilcox and their instructor, Evan P. Parker, 45 — died in a van rollover accident near Tremonton, Utah, while returning from a field trip to view farm equipment. Two students survived the crash: Jared P. Nelson, who is continuing his recovery at Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland, Ore., and Robert H. "Robbie" Petersen, who continues to recover at home in Elwood, Utah.
All the crash victims were Church members.
"Not being personally acquainted with these men, I've come to know them by reading what their families wrote about them in their printed obituaries," Elder Perry noted. "I have met a few like them as I have traveled throughout the world and met them in the mission field. What a tremendous loss these young men are to a world desperately in need of their type of leadership."
Elder Perry gave a composite profile of them which he gathered from what he read:
"First, you find a sincere love and devotion to family — wives, parents, brothers and sisters, and extended family," he said. "Their lives demonstrated a belief in family values, in loyalty, honesty, morality and industry."
Second, he said, each exemplified an earnest desire to further his education and thereby learn techniques and technology to improve every aspect of ranching and farming.
"Third, they loved the great outdoors, the beauties of creation, given to mankind to enjoy, to improve and to multiply that which we have been given," the apostle noted.
"Fourth, they had a belief in and love for God and for their fellow men," he said. "These very special young men spent 16 man-years —16 man-years! — in full-time missionary service declaring their beliefs to the world. They taught others what they believed in and practiced. This experience developed within them an extra measure of concern and love for others."
Accompanied by four members of the Orchestra at Temple Square and by senior Tabernacle organist John Longhurst, the choir performed "Be Still My Soul," "Homeward Bound," "Come, Come, Ye Saints," and "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." Musical director Craig D. Jessop conducted.
University President Stan L. Albrecht said he had received calls and letters of condolence from across the country. "This is an event that touched not only the lives of those who knew those involved but loving, caring individuals everywhere," he said.
Noelle E. Cockett, interim provost at the university, said the tragedy and its aftermath had made her realize some simple but precious truths: "that being true to family and friends is really what matters, that working with your hands is an honorable profession, that gifts from the heart mean the most, that I should never hesitate to give a kind word or a smile, that I give my full attention to my kids when I'm with them, that I should tell my husband that I love him when he leaves in the morning for work."
William Strong, professor emeritus at the university, wrote a poem for the occasion that was read by a colleague. "The sorrow of words unspoken shrouds the living, leaves silence where 'I love you' should toll like bells from the tower," the poem read in part. Consistent with that sentiment, the bells in the school's Old Main tower tolled nine times across the campus at sunset in honor of the deceased victims. Throughout the night, no lights in the bell tower were illuminated.
A video tribute featuring a song commissioned and composed for the occasion by Russel Dixon was presented near the end of the memorial service. The lyrics to the chorus are these:
"There's a hope, there's a love, someone watching from above. And Heaven knows you're out there waiting, smiling down on me. And through the earth, across the field, you'll be with us still. A legacy we'll never take for granted. Thank God for what you planted."
E-mail: rscott@desnews.com