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By Kent Larsen
Noted Mormon Author and Intellectual Eugene England Dead
PROVO, UTAH -- Mormon author and intellecutal G. Eugene England, died Friday
at his home in Provo, Utah at about 10:30 am after a six-month struggle with
brain cancer. His family has released the following obituary. Mormon News
plans its own obituary later this week.
Surrounded by his wife, Charlotte, and their six children, G. Eugene
England, 68, died at home August 17, 2001, after a six-month struggle with
brain cancer.
Gene England was born in Logan, Utah, July 22, 1933, to George Eugene and
Dora Rose Hartvigsen England. Gene grew up on a wheat farm in Downey, Idaho.
A brilliant and persistent man, he convinced Charlotte Ann Hawkins to marry
him in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on Dec 22, 1953. As newlyweds, they served a
mission to Samoa for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.
Inspired by the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and influenced by
Lowell Bennion, together Gene and Charlotte led lives of generosity,
service, creativity, and profound faith. They have run an open house, always
making room for friends and strangers. Countless lives have felt their
influence for good.
After serving as a captain in the Air Force, Gene was a Danforth Fellow at
Stanford University, where he received a Ph.D. in English literature. He was
Dean of Academic Affairs at St. Olaf's College in Northfield, Minnesota, but
he always preferred teaching over administrating. He taught at St. Olaf's,
the LDS Institutes of Religion at Stanford Univ. and the Univ. of Utah, and
the English department at Brigham Young Univ. for 22 years until his
retirement in 1998, and finally at Utah Valley State College as
Writer-in-Residence and director of Study Abroad.
Gene has served as a branch president, a bishop and in several bishoprics.
Until recently he was a Gospel Doctrine teacher in the Pleasant View 1st Ward.
A person of remarkable intelligence and faith, Gene never made anyone feel
stupid or unworthy. Idealistic in his desire to continue the conversation
between more conservative and liberal positions, he served as a bridge over
troubled waters in the Mormon intellectual community. He naively assigned
the best intentions to people, even those with whom he disagreed. As a
founding editor of Dialogue and a ongoing contributor to Sunstone, he
promoted Mormon scholarship and writing, especially the personal essay. A
fine poet himself, he authored several books of personal essays and compiled
and edited several collections of Mormon Literature.
Before his health failed, Gene especially enjoyed fly-fishing with his
friend Doug Thayer, remembering childhood follies with Bert Wilson, seeing
the best theatre in London, leading willing victims on impossible hikes,
convincing people to watch, again, one of his favorite movies with him,
telling stories to his grandchildren (Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight were favorites), and being at the cabin he built with Charlotte.
Gene's family includes his wife, Charlotte H. England, his sister, Ann
England Barker (Duane A. Barker), his six children, Katherine England (Paul
Nelson), Jody England Hansen (Mike Hansen), George Mark England, Jennifer
England (Mark J. Asplund), Rebecca England (Jordan A. Kimball), and Jane
England. Their 14 grandchildren are Jordan, Charlotte, Jacob, Anna, Hannah,
Amelia, Christian, Bronte, Joseph, Porter, Janey, Maya, Isaac, Katy Rose.
The family appreciates the love and affection people have expressed for
Gene. The family has established the Eugene and Charlotte England Memorial
Education Fund at Zion's Bank to honor Gene and continue his work,
especially his interest in Mormon studies. Those who can are invited to
contribute.
Gene England was buried in a private graveside sevice Aug 18 at Wasatch
Lawns in Salt Lake City. Friends are invited to honor Gene at a memorial
service that will be held 1 pm Saturday Aug 25 at the Provo Tabernacle 100
S. University Ave., Provo, Utah.
Source:
Noted Mormon Author and Intellectual Eugene England Dead
England Family 19Aug01 A2
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