From dropping out of school at age 14, to becoming one of
the most important inventors and industrialists of the 20th Century
and manufacturing more than 70 percent of the earth-moving equipment used in
WWII – R.G. LeTourneau was truly a “Mover
of Men and Mountains.”
On Monday, December 2, LeTourneau University celebrated a
special Founder’s
Day that doubled as a celebration of the 125th anniversary of
LeTourneau’s birthday.
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Honored guests on Founder's Day included the
LeTourneau's son, Ben and his wife Betty.
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The day was commemorated with a Founder’s Day chapel service
led by University President Dr. Dale Lunsford, who spoke on Mr. LeTourneau’s
work, accomplishments and faith in God.
“Look at his life and you’ll see that one man can make a
difference. He was a very talented man. He had a strong work ethic. He had a strong
faith in a God who blessed him in many different ways,” Lunsford said. “And
that one man made a great difference.”
In 1929, R.G. LeTourneau founded LeTourneau Industries. The Longview,
Texas, plant spent most of its life under the name LeTourneau Technologies and
is now owned by Joy Global.
“He created thousands of jobs in a time when this country
really needed those jobs. It was a time of great economic challenge,” Lunsford
said. “His equipment helped to win a world war and revolutionized two different
industries; the earthmoving industry and offshore oil drilling. He completely
changed both industries.”
LeTourneau Technologies employee Dale Hardy spoke via video, on
LeTourneau’s accomplishments in the earth moving industry, citing his
inventions of the Tournapull, electric wheel, and the use of welding and rubber
tires for earthmoving equipment.
“Even though he died in 1969 at the age of 80, the legacy in
the earth moving industry that R.G. LeTourneau left behind continues in a very
real and tangible way,” Hardy said.
LETU’s Center for Faith and Work Director Bill Peel spoke
on the spiritual nature of LeTourneau’s work and his belief that our everyday
work matters to God.
“Each of us has an important work to do, and when you put
that in God’s hands, amazing things can happen.”
Bob Walker, LETU alumnus and president of Walker
Manufacturing Company, also spoke via video, demonstrating a palpable example of LeTourneau’s
legacy. Walker expressed the virtues of operating a business under Biblical
principles, as he learned from LeTourneau’s testimony.
The chapel service speakers were followed by chapel attendees
congregating at the gravesites of LeTourneau and his wife, Evelyn, for prayer
and a wreath placed at their graves to honor the occasion.
Founder's Day also unveiled the R.G. LeTourneau Digital Museum and Archives, where users can access original images and historical documents from the founder's life.
Founder's Day also unveiled the R.G. LeTourneau Digital Museum and Archives, where users can access original images and historical documents from the founder's life.
While he held over 300 patents, invented numerous
earthmoving machines and transformed entire industries, Lunsford expressed what
R.G. LeTourneau may have considered his finest accomplishment: “His faith in
God has inspired thousands of people to go out and love God through their
business and their lives. And to this day, that continues.”
