Dates

• Existence: 1925 - 2010

Biographical History

Leo P. Vernon (1925-2010) was an chemistry professor and academic administrator in Utah.

Leo Preston Vernon was born on October 10, 1925 in Roosevelt, Utah to William Morley Vernon and Roseltha Bingham. As a child he lived in briefly in Kanab, Utah, before the family settled in Orem, Utah, where he was raised. After high school he studied chemistry at Brigham Young University (BYU). In 1944, he joined the United States Army, and was trained as an X-ray technician. However, he spent most of his time in the service as a member of music corps. In 1946 Vernon returned to BYU and completed his degree in chemistry in 1948. That year he also married Fern Trunkey in Salt Lake Temple, and they later had five children. Vernon completed his education earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Iowa State University, and doing post-doctoral research in Madison, Wisconsin and Washington University of St. Louis.

Vernon joined the BYU chemistry faculty in 1954, but left for a year's study at Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1960. After his fellowship he did not return to the university, instead becoming the director of Kettering Research Labs in Yellow Springs, Ohio, from 1961 to 1971. In 1971, he was recruited by university president Dallin H. Oaks to return as director of Research Division at BYU. In 1974, he was advanced to the role of Assistant Academic Vice President. At the end of the Oaks administration he returned to the Chemistry Department, where he taught for five years. Vernon retired from BYU in 1991.

In addition to his academic work, Vernon served as a bishop, high councilor, stake presidency member, and stake president for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vernon died on June 8, 2010 in Provo, Utah.

Citation:

LCCN 66-24176: His The chlorophylls, 1966 (hdg.: Vernon, Leo P.; usage: Leo P. Vernon)

Salt Lake Tribune, June 10, 2010 (Leo Vernon; Leo Preston Vernon; b. Oct. 10, 1925 in Roosevelt, Utah; parents: William Morley Vernon and Roseltha Bingham; moved to Kanab, Utah at age 1, then four years later to Orem, Utah; studied chemistry at Brigham Young University; joined U.S. Army in 1944, trained as an X-ray technician, served as a member of music corps; returned to BYU after war, graduated in chemistry in 1948; m. 1948 to Fern Trunkey in Salt Lake Temple, five children; earned doctorate in biochemistry in Ames, Iowa; post-doctoral research in Madison, Wisconsin and Washington University of St. Louis; joined BYU chemistry faculty, 1954; left for study at Nobel Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, 1960; became director of Kettering Research Labs in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1961-1971; returned as director of Research Division at BYU, 1971; taught in Chemistry Dept., 1980-1985; retired from BYU, 1991; served as Mormon bishop, stake presidency member, stake president, and high councilor; d. June 8, 2010 in Provo, Utah)

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