"He'd talk to his kids and play with us, but eventually he'd say, 'Well, got to get back to the salt mine,' " said Paul. "We'd hear the typewriter going at night as we fell asleep and we'd hear the typewriter going when we got up. We have no actual proof that our dad ever slept."

His strong opinions, his attachment to conspiracy theories and his even stronger conservatism naturally attracted controversy and conflict — Salt Lake old-timers will remember that one of the first actions in 1960 of newly elected mayor J. Bracken Lee, a decided liberal, was to fire Skousen as police chief — but even Skousen's arch-enemies acknowledged his gentlemanly nature and refusal to fight any way but fair.

Thousands are expected to attend his funeral tomorrow at the LDS Parley's Stake Center, where the tumult of the day will give way, at least for a moment, to reflection on one man's remarkable legacy.

After that the debates can resume — which is exactly what Mr. Skousen would want.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.