|From Tent to \Tabernacle A ee e } “My first reaction was one of disbelief,’ said Dr. Donald H. Ripplinger, associate director of the Since that time Dr. Ripplinger has been putting in 80 to 100 hours per week with the choir and his BYU assignment. Asked how he could manage such a heavy work schedule, Dr. Ripplinger responded, ‘“‘It is possible Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir, about his call to that position. “I had never imagined myself in that position although I had pictured others. It is a very exciting experience. No other choir in the world of that size and potential meets every week.”’ because I enjoy it so much, but it — does require careful organization of time and family life.’’ An Ogden native, Dr. Ripplinger made his decision to major in music after his first few classes at Weber College. He had returned from two years in the service and a Canadian mission. The music department at _that time was made up of Dr. Clair Johnson, Roland Perry and Delmare Dickson. The music major was also interested in student activities and during his term as_ studentbody president he organized students to install a sprinkler system on the new campus site when state funds were not available. Campus administrators, faculty and staff enthusiastically joined in on the project. The most outstanding memory of that time was the spirit of the entire AS STUDENTBODY president at Weber College, Donald Ripplinger, right, prepares ground for a speek system with President H. Aldous Dixon. ‘:Btudentbody as they prepared to ——., eS Se Ne move onto the new upper campus, _saic Dr. Ripplinger. It was easy to get student groups to do the work. They were older students, most of them veterans, eager to see the college expand. After graduating from Weber Dr. Donald H. Ripplinger College Dr. Ripplinger received a scholarship to Brigham Young Dr. Ripplinger, Weber College University and attended three studentbody president in 1953-54, is years. also director of secondary choral During the summer between — music education at Brigham Young attending Weber and BYU Dr. University and was in Utah in July Ripplinger lived in a tent on a lot in for interviews when he was called Provo while he build a home for his by LDS Church President wife and children. After graduating Spencer W. Kimball to serve with from BYU he sold the home to pay the choir. the debts incurred for his schooling. He and his wife, the former Myra Jane Fowler, also a WSC alumna, are the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. He taught at Beaver High in 754 and for eight years at Olympus High School, Salt Lake City and earned his master’s degree in ’65 in choral music and school education administration at the University of Utah: He received his doctorate in ’68 in education administration and choral music and accepted a position as director of secondary choral music at the University of In Memoriam MARIAN JONES JOHNSON, 88, North Ogden, died at her home Sept. 11, 1975, of causes incident to age. She attended Weber Academy and was former captain Pioneers Camp 32, DUP and an election judge for many years. Her husband, John Henry Johnson, preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons and four daughters. ROYCE I. SHIKI, 26, died Oct. 15, 1975 at his home in Ogden. He was a cross-country truck driver. He served with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam and had attended Weber State College. Surviving are his parents, Roy H. and Hisaye Nakamura Shiki, and one brother. HERBERT J. CORKEY JR., 48, Ogden, died Oct. 21, 1975. He was Utah State Liquor commissioner and Ogden City councilman, and had been an auditor and certified public accountant. He was a former president of the Weber State College Alumni Association and a past president and district governor of the Lions Club. He was a Weber State College graduate. Survivors include his wife, the former Ila Jean Stuart and four daughters. DR. THOMAS C. BROWNING, 74, formerly of Ogden, died Nov. 2, 1975, after a long illness. Dr. Browning was a physician. He was a graduate of Weber Academy, the University of Utah and Northwestern University Medical School. He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Hughes, one son and two daughters. . ..DANIEL died Oct. EUGENE 30, 1975, following surgery. THORNOCK, 49, of complications He was an assistant store manager of Stop-and-Shop Market and an Army veteran of World War II. He attended Weber State College. Survivors include his wife, the former Ruth Evans, one son and one daughter. ..SUE MAHALEK SIMPSON, 52, Ogden, died Oct. 4, 1975, in an Ogden hospital after a long illness. She had been a stenographer for the sociology department at Weber State College. Survivors include her husband, Theron H. Simpson, three sons and two daughters. CAL H. CORNIA, 60, Washington Terrace, died Oct. 1, 1975, at his home of a heart attack. He was a former engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad and an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Cornia attended Weber State College. He is survived by his wife, the former Tessie Harames, two sons and one daughter. MALCOLM WATSON, 83, Ogden, died Sept. 8, 1975, in Salt Lake City following a long illness. Mr. Watson coached basketball, baseball and track at Weber Academy in 1913 and was the first football coach in 1919. He managed the Weber Gym and taught there for ten years. He was also a referee and helped organize church athletic programs. Survivors include his wife, the former Thora sons and a daughter. Bergesen, three MARY EAMES SHURTLIFF, 70, died Oct. 30, 1975, in an Ogden hospital of a brain tumor. She graduated from Weber College and the University of Utah and attended Utah State University. She taught school in Aetna, Wyo., and Milton, Utah. Surviving are her husband, Milton H. Shurtleff, and four daughters. Wisconsin. Each summer he conducted.a three week music camp for junior and senior high school students. In the 36 days following his acceptance of the position of associate director, Dr. Ripplinger finished the summer music camp, bought a house, sold a house and his son was married. This is indicative of the pace he has kept ever since. December was exceptionally packed with staff meetings, rehearsals, broadcasts, and taping sessions. Upcoming are two bicentennial recordings to be released in March and April. ‘‘We have a busy schedule for the 1976 summer,”’ said Dr. Ripplinger, ‘‘with appearances scheduled throughout Utah and we have been invited as guest choir at the official bicentennial program in Washington, D.C. Both tent and tabernacle are familiar to Dr. Ripplinger. MERLE C. RALPH, 78, Salt Lake City, died Dec. 10 , 1975, in Salt Lake City after an extended illness. She had taught at Weber State College and Ogden High School and lived in Ogden many years. She received a bachelor degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York. She had also been a home economist for the Utah Power and Light Company and was the author of several family histories. Surviving are her husband, Horace Fred Ralph, and sfepchildren. HOWARD HESS, 63, Ogden, died Oct. 7, 1975, of cancer. He was a graduate of Bear River High School and attended Weber State College. He had been a barber in the Ogden area for over 20 years. Surviving are his widow, the former Kathryn Ellison Skeen, and two sons.