Austin - History

A Short History Austin Gudmundsen

An open letter to the members of the Inglewood Stake, written in 1980 by Austin and Myrl Gudmundsen

Austin Gudmundsen was born to Lettie Austin Gudmundsen and Abraham Gudmundsen on March 22, 1898 in Lehi, Utah.

He grew to be a studious boy and worked hard to get an education. As a teenager he was Assistant to the Chemist in the Lehi Sugar Factory, helping to further his college education. He attended the University of Utah, the California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, and received his Master’s Degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Austin married Myrl Goodwin of Lehi, Utah, September 16, 1921 in the Salt Lake Temple, and were later blessed with four children: Richard Austin, Lois (died as a child), Stanley Edwin, and Ruth. They are grandparents of thirteen, and great-grandparents of two. )as of 1980)

When working for the City of Salt Lake, Austin was assigned to the City Engineering Department, but later accepted a position as instructor in the engineering department at the University of Utah. Here he taught for seven years. Austin was active in the church, serving as counselor to Brother Marion G. Romney in the 33rd Ward Sunday School Presidency.

In 1929, he (Austin) moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he did research at the United States Bureau of Mines in connection with the Carnegie Institute. Upon our arrival in Pittsburgh, we located the church and found it being reorganized by President Heber J. Grant. President Grant tapped Austin on the shoulder and said, “We want you to be Branch President.” We were strangers and knew President Grant only as President of the Church. This was a real challenge (because of his research and also being Branch President) but the Prophet, in setting him apart, promised Austin great success with his studies, which proved to be true and of great value.

NOTE BY SCOTT GUDMUNDSEN: Myrl told me that when President Grant told Austin that he wanted him as Branch President, that they said, “But President, they don’t even know us here!” To this, President Grant replied, “But the Lord knows you.” It should also be noted that some missionaries asked President Grant for permission to take a photograph of him. He replied in the affirmative, and then touching Richard Gudmundsen, 5-yr. old child of Austin’s on the should, said, “If this little boy can be in the picture too!” This photograph is a treasured item in the Gudmundsen family.

In 1931, Austin accepted a position with A.O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a research and development engineer. This was our home for the next sixteen years. While in Milwaukee he was President of the Branch until the mission was organized into a stake by President Heber J. Grant at the conference in Chicago. President Grant ordained Austin as Bishop of the Milwaukee Ward, and instructed him to always remember that he, (Austin) was the first Bishop to be ordained in the state of Illinois since the exodus of the saints.

Later on, Austin accepted a position with McCullough Motors Corporation and moved with the company to their new home in California. We settled in Inglewood and after only a few months, Austin was made a counselor to President Barlow, serving for more than a year and a half. A division was made in the stake. Austin was set apart as President of the Inglewood Stake by Brother Spencer W. Kimball. His counselors were Brother Lloyd Prestwich and Brother William Wooley. Later another division was made. Austin chose Ralph Chalker and Robert Smith as his counselors. These were wonderful years, full of development and progress.

When Austin was released, instead of moving to Lake Havesu, Arizona, we moved to Leisure World in Laguana Hills. It proved to be a very happy venture. Austin and I were set apart as ordinance workers in the Los Angeles Temple. Austin was asked to be a “sealer” and was set apart by President David O. McKay, and acted in this great work for many years.

Much of Austin’s time in Leisure World was spent working in the Lapidary Shop making many beautiful Specimens.

Our life together is very enjoyable and having our families nearby brings us much happiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing in our lives; which we can testify for the past fifty-nine years next September sixteenth. (Fifty-ninth wedding anniversary.)

We send our deepest affection and blessings to all of you in the Inglewood Stake. We love you.

Signed, Austin and Myrl Gudmundsen

NOTE BY SCOTT GUDMUNDSEN : While a sealer in the Los Angeles Temple, Austin sealed two of his grandchildren to their spouses. Scott Gudmundsen was sealed to Julie Leanne Bingham and Joyce Gudmundsen was sealed to Norman Gregory Richardson.