Dates

• Existence: 1916 - 1997

Biographical History

Elbert R. Simmons (1916-1997) was a zoology professor in Utah.

Elbert Rulon Simmons was born on October 1, 1916 in Manti, Utah to Elmer B. and Mary Mabel Simmons. He was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and married Vivian Olsen in the Salt Lake Temple on September 4, 1940. They had four children. Simmons attended Snow College and Utah State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1941. He then completed a master's degree at the University of Iowa in 1943. He then served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Simmons taught high school in Utah and Idaho, and six years in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Montana State College in Bozeman. In 1956 he completed a Ph.D. in Zoology from Brigham Young University, and joined the zoology faculty at the university. He remained at the university until his retirement in 1982, also working at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum during that time. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Simmons served as a bishop, councilor in several bishoprics, and stake high councilor. He also served a mission to New England States Mission as a young man, and later in life served in Jamaica with his wife. He died in Provo, Utah on February 8, 1997.

Citation:

Deseret news, via WWW, May 27, 2016 (Elbert R. Simmons; b. Oct. 1, 1916 in Manti, Utah; parents: Elmer B. and Mary Mabel Simmons; m. Sept. 4, 1940 in Salt Lake Temple to Vivian Olsen, four children; taught high school in Vernal, Utah, Bountiful, Utah, and Clifton, Idaho; six years in Department of Zoology and Entomology, Montana State College in Bozeman; 26 years on faculty at Brigham Young University, Zoology Department; worked at Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum; active member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; served as bishop, councilor in several bishoprics, stake high councilor, stake missionary, and temple worker; served mission to New England States Mission, and Jamaica with his wife; during World War II, served as chaplain in United States Navy)

Familysearch, via WWW, May 27, 2016 (Elbert Rulon Simmons; d. Feb. 8, 1997 in Provo, Utah)

UPB files, May 27, 2016 (associate's, Snow College, 1936; bachelor's, Utah State University, 1941; master's, University of Iowa, 1943; Ph.D., Zoology, Brigham Young University, 1956; worked at Brigham Young University, 1956-1982)

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