Paul Driggs Christensen

Paul Driggs Christensen, 91, passed away March
17,2006, at home where he lived with his daughter and
son-in-law.
He was born March 11, 1915 in American Fork, Utah, to
Maud Driggs and Bernard Niels Christensen. His
childhood was spent in school and helping with the
family's farming enterprises. His character was shaped
as he milked cows and drove them to pasture, gathered
eggs, delivered milk and cream, and weeded acres of
cabbages and onions. He loved the land and the long
days spent together with his father and brothers. His
mother taught him the thoughtful social courtesies
that he practiced all his life. She cultivated in him
a love of music and excellence in the arts. He became
a good pianist.
After high school graduation, Paul attended Brigham
Young University. He had a teachable spirit and was
highly influenced by his fine professors. He graduated
in 1937 with a bachelor's degree in agronomy.
It was while he was working for the Soil Conservation
Service in Price that he met Beth Mae Guymon. They
were married February 18, 1941, and sealed in the Salt
Lake Temple three days later. From the beginning they
brought out the best in each other. Theirs was an
equal partnership and a lifelong love affair. Beth
fostered Paul's special refined nature. Though his
daily work was often out in fields and on farms at her
encouragement he wore a white shirt all of his waking
hours for the past sixty years. They are the parents
of seven children, 27 grandchildren, and 17
great-grandchildren.
Paul was drafted into World War II after the birth of
their third child. He spent a year in Japan. Then the
GI Bill made it possible for him to continue his
education. Upon his return, he moved his family to
Logan where he received a master's degree in soil
science in 1948. He went on to complete a PhD at
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in
1950 in soil chemistry.
His professional life began at Texas A&M University
research station in El Paso. Four years later he
became Extension Soils Specialist at Utah State
University. For more than 25 years he traveled
throughout Utah as he taught principles of
soil-water-crop management. Few people find as much
satisfaction in their daily work as he did. He loved
the state and knew the name of each town and the
number of miles that separated it from the next
"metropolis." He enjoyed working with farmers, golf
course managers, garden clubs, civic groups, and
students. He cooperated closely with other USU staff
members in soils, crops, agricultural engineering, and
agricultural extension. The Extension Service was a
closely knit professional group and as a result many
of Paul and Beth's cherished friendships were made
through those associations.
Paul's USU assignment included cooperative work with
university agronomists and fertilizer industry
representatives in the Northwest. A major thrust of
his work involved setting up fieldcrop fertilizer
tests, lawn fertilizer tests, and other studies
throughout Utah. In 1980, Paul received a special
award from the Northwest Plant Food association in
recognition of his years of service in
fostering-through his radio and TV programs, magazine
articles, university publications, and field
fertilizer research-the practical and wise use of
commercial fertilizers.
Even more important to Paul was his testimony of the
gospel of Jesus Christ and service in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life was filled
with faith and faithfulness. His church service
included wonderful years as bishop's counselor,
bishop, high councilor, missionary with Beth, and
branch president. He spent countless hours on the ward
welfare farm, in the temple, and doing name
extraction. Paul and Beth's most important service
came in less formal ways. They lived the injunction to
love their neighbors. Their happiest days were those
when their home was filled with family, friends, and
others with special needs.
Their children are the beneficiaries of a home filled
with happy activities, love and kindness, an emphasis
on education, and a foundation of faith. Paul is
survived by their children, Karen (David) Luthy, North
Logan, Mark (Janet), Greeley, Colorado, Roger
(Elaine), Sandy, Dan, Salt Lake City, Susan (Sam)
Bessinger, Clovis, California, and Reed (Cathy),
Mililani, Hawaii. Paul was preceded in death by his
wife Beth and their daughter Carole Marie.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 23, at
noon in the Northwood Ward Chapel, 125 East 500 North,
in Logan. A viewing will be held Wednesday, March 22,
from 6-8 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East
Center, Logan, and at the church on Thursday from
10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be
Friday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. at the American Fork
Cemetery.
Condolences may be extended to the family at
www.allenmortuaries.net