Leon Roundy Hartshorn

1929 - 2015

Early Life: Leon was born January 16, 1929, in Lehi, Utah, to Robert and Esther Irene Roundy Hartshorn, the youngest of their three children. He grew up in American Fork, Utah. While in high school, he was a guard on the basketball team that went to the state championships. A teacher told him that he did not have the requisite ability to attend college. He later received his doctorate from Stanford University in Education Administration.

Life's Work | Service | Interests: Leon served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission from 1949 to 1951. He attended Brigham Young University where he met his best friend and eternal companion, Beatrice Scoville, in the library. On August 17, 1951, they married in the Salt Lake Temple. Following graduation from BYU, he began his professional career as a Seminary teacher. Later, he served as Director of the Institute of Religion at Boise State, Chairman of the Department of Religion at the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU-Hawaii) and ultimately, a Professor of Religion and Chairman of the Church History and Doctrine Department at Brigham Young University. He was a highly regarded author of instructional materials for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as editor of best-selling collections of stories and other books. His achievements were numerous but his most important achievements came in working with individuals. His counsel, advice and instruction blessed and changed the lives of countless students, ward members as a Bishop, and missionaries he worked with in the Missionary Training Center where he served for six years. He also served as Mission President in the Missouri St. Louis Mission, alongside his wife, Bea. To his family, Leon's greatest achievements were in the home. Leon Roundy Hartshorn passed away peacefully at his home in Alpine, Utah, on August 11, 2015. He was 86.

Family Message: "Our parents were kind, refined in their speech and conduct, and deliberately set out to raise their children to be independent thinkers. Dad encouraged us to ask questions about everything and patiently endured spirited discussions. However, he always insisted that all questioning and discussions be done in the light of faith. His wisdom, counsel, instruction and friendship will be deeply missed."

Survived By: His wife, Bea; his children: Scott (Janice), Mark (Ann), Julee Clegg (Karl), Jeanne Allen (Richard) and Chris (Erica); 25 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Obituary: © The Daily Herald | Provo, Utah | 13 August 2015

Services: The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints

Chapel Location: Alpine Stake Center

Mortuary: Anderson & Sons

Burial: Lehi City Cemetery

Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley