Comments about ‘BYU professor remembered for Africa work’

Why is there no mention of how the wife is? The article states that she was hit as well. What is her condition?

As a student in his D&C class in the late 90s, Brother LeBaron allowed me to take a final exam in his office because I couldn't make the official exam time - the only professor who ever allowed me to do this. After the final, we sat and talked for over an hour, with him sharing story after story about Africa and the Church. I learned more about the Church's history in Africa in that hour+ than I have in all that I've read since. He was a great man.

Did this accident occur here in Utah, or in Africa?

In 1970 Dale came to our home and sat with our children in the middle of the night while I took my wife to the hospital for the birth of our 3rd child. Many years later he performed the wedding of our youngest daughter. He was my mentor as I struggled in my new profession while living in Alberta, Canada. Our prayers and thoughts go to Dale's family this day. Dale's work in South Africa as CES Director and later as Mission President helped prepare him for his creative and historical work documenting the early converts to the LDS faith in Africa. We love him for the service he gave our family!

The beginning of the article states that the location is Orem.

In response to the questions above:

Laura LeBaron suffered only minor injuries and was released from the hospital the same time. The accident occurred in Orem, Utah, while they were taking their regular morning walk. My parents were also with their friend, Carol, who remains in the hospital with injuries that are painful but not life threatening.

OUr thoughts are with your family...we are so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. I heard Brother LeBaron on TV a time or two and loved his zest for the Gospel.

I loved his book, read it before my mission to South Africa, helped prepare me spiritually for the experiences that I was about to have. He was a wonderful person, the world is a better place because he was in it!

I knew Dale in Edmonton. He was a kind and caring man and a wonderful example of a Latter Day Saint. My deepest sympathy to the family.

I took a class from Brother LeBaron in the early 90s. I think it was Teachings of the Living Prophets...peppered with stories from Africa. It was one of my favorite classes, due to the teacher. Thanks Brother LeBaron.

I took one of his classes, was in his stake when he was Stake President, and cleaned his offices while I was attending BYU. While I cleaned his offices he would show me quotes on sisters serving missions and talked to me about service. I went on a mission partly because of our talks. He was an important mentor to me, and I wish his family some peace.

I took one of his classes at education week and was very pleased that I did. He showed slides of his wonderful work in Africa and I found it quite an enriching experience. I am so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful teacher.

Brother LeBaron was a wonderful man. I had the privilege of serving with him in the BYU 4th Stake. He was an insightful leader, full of faith and compassion. My thoughts and prayers go to his loved ones.

Rodger Dean Duncan
Liberty, Missouri

I was so sad to hear of Bro. LeBaron's passing! He was, and is, a great man, who I am sure, is continuing a great work on the other side of the veil. I met him about 5 years ago while doing sealings at the temple on Fridays. We began talking more when I told him I have a wonderful cousin-in-law who is a child of Ervil LeBaron.

Brother LeBaron was always very kind to me, shaking my hand and remembering my name. He often told me interesting historical information about your family and his life. It sounds like he lead quite an interesting and wonderful life and did more then his share of building the Kingdom of God on Earth. I am sure he is being sorely missed by family and friends alike. I know I will miss seeing his smiling face at the temple. I pray for your family to be blessed with peace and strength during this difficult trial, especially during this holiday season. May you feel the Spirit of Christ and find comfort in His love and concern for you, and that of your friends. With deepest empathy, Andrea Withers, Pleasant Grove, UT

I had the priviledge of staying in the LeBaron home on severl occasions as I was friends with Debbie... I was invited to kneel with the family in their nightly prayer... quite new to me. I several times would just open my eyes and watch Brother Dale pray... I have never witnessed such intense devotion. To the family I offer my condolences. Your father was a great man. As I sit here in Japan I have often wodered about each of you. I am so sorry for you at this time.

Dale LeBaron was my grandparent's home teacher in Edmonton, Alberta. I remember going to his home as a child and seeing his slides from his mission to Africa. He actually remembered me when I saw him on BYU campus 15 years later as a student. He was a devoted home teacher to my grandparents -- Louis and Phyllis Ellis, and they loved him dearly. I was so sad to hear of his passing. My prayers are with the LeBaron family.
Andrea Rediske
Orlando, FL

I am from Durban in South Africa. My father-in-law (now deceased) met Pres. le Baron in Durban at a conference, and he was always so proud to have met such a special man, and often showed me his signature, and that of Sr. le Baron's in his hymnbook, which I now possess. We send our condolences to the family, and hope that the others injured in the incident recover quickly.

I was just a little boy living in SA when he served there, but remember that he was larger-than-life. I never heard anyone then or since say a negative thing about him. May the family be blessed and conforted at this time knowing that he served well.

Bro. LeBaron was my professor at BYU. He was instrumental in helping me to prepare for my mission. I still remember, 20 years later, his enthusiasm for missionary work. May the Lord bless your family with comfort and peace.