Reed Robert Durtschi

Professor Reed Robert Durtschi
Passed away on August 13, 2015 in North Logan, Utah. Reed was born on February 15, 1926 to John Jacob Durtschi and Luella Dalley Durtschi in Driggs, Idaho. Reed was raised on a dairy farm in Teton Valley and served in the Navy during World War II and the Army during the Korean War. He married Jean Blackburn in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1950. They were married for 65 years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Utah State University in 1952. He got a PhD in Economics from the University of Washington in 1957.
While he taught for one year at University of Utah and one year at Weber State, Reed was an Aggie through and through. He began teaching at USU in the fall of 1958 and over the next 37 years taught Economics to over 40,000 students. Reed was known for his enthusiasm and sense of humor in class. He won the Robins Award in 1969 as Professor of the Year. In 1995 he was named Professor of the Year for the President’s Leadership Council.
He served as Department chair in Economics from 1967-1971, but his heart was always in the classroom with his students. He was a consummate teacher at home and school. His classes were challenging, but he insisted students learn to think for themselves rather than memorize answers.
Reed was a forward and progressive thinker. As such he was elected and served on the North Logan City Council for six years. He also served three terms on the Cache County School board from 1974-1986. Reed held many positions in the LDS Church but always said his favorite jobs were teaching the High Priests and coaching the Young Men in softball.
Reed was an incredible father. His favorite people to be with were his wife and children. He enjoyed hiking in the Tetons, camping, and always attended his children’s sports, musical and theatrical events. He was a talented musician and had a beautiful singing voice. He was proud of all his children and often commented that he loved being able to ask them for advice. He was warm, kind, funny and extremely fair and just with all he met.
Reed is survived by his wife, Jean Blackburn Durtschi, and six of his seven children. Ronald Reed, Cindy, Vanette Skabelund, Dawnita Hugie, LuRene Summers, and Robert Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Tamra Morgan. Reed has twenty-four grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. The family is very grateful for the loving care provided by Dr. Michael Stones, Integrity Home Health and Hospice, and Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation and Nursing in their father’s last days.
A viewing will be held at Allen Mortuary of North Logan (420 East 1800 North) on Monday evening from 6:00-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the North Logan 1st Ward Chapel (1105 East 2100 North) on Tuesday August, 18th at noon with a viewing 10:30-11:30, burial will be at the Pratt Cemetery in Teton Valley on Wednesday August 19th.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net