The life of Geoffrey Allen Despain (1968–1994) seems to exhibit prominently several noble traits of character: 1) a sincere concern for the spiritual welfare of others, 2) a desire to expand native born talents and abilities, 3) a zest for sports and outdoor adventure. All three of these traits seemed to converge at once so that in a single act of misjudgement his life was brought to a premature end. The tragedy of that end may at times threaten to overwhelm the impact of the exemplary accomplishments known not only to his parents and siblings, but also to his many acquaintances.
Geoffrey Allen Despain, 24, died May 4, 1994 doing what he loved to do, while climbing Little Cottonwood Canyon.
He was born September 19, 1969 to Bruce and Mary Despain. He was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from East High School in 1987 and was currently a student at the University of Utah. Employed by the Marriott Hotel.
Active member of the LDS Church, he served as a missionary in the Australian Perth Mission, currently serving as Elders Quorum president.
He recently ran in the Boston marathon. He loved life and people. He was an example to us all. He felt it was the little things that count in life.
Survived by fiance, Deidre Baker; parents, Bruce and Mary Despain; brothers and sisters, James (Vicky) Despain, Joanna (Kyle) Fisher, Jeanette Despain, Andrea Despain, Jonathan Despain; grandparents, Noal and Phyllis Despain and countless friends and family who loved him and will miss him deeply.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 1994 at 12 noon, at the 27th East Ward, 1300 Fairfax Road (Virginia Street). Friends may call Friday, May 6, at Deseret Mortuary, 36 East 700 South and 10:45–11:45 a.m. prior to services at the ward. Directors, Memorial Estates Mortuary.
The vast majority of the present work comes from Geoffrey himself. While attending Bryant Junior High School Geoffrey was challenged to do better at school. The results of an English assignment remained among his parents’ treasures: Life of Geoff Despain, on which he received a B–. There is at least one characteristic of Geoffrey that this work demonstrates. He was earnest in being obedient and in following instructions explicitly. The short time he spent there under the remedial tutelage of Robert Noyes was during a critical period and taught him to pay special attention to his talents: 1) he became aware that there were exceptional features to his own mode of learning and 2) there were others who were much less gifted who might learn from him.
A second very valuable artifact comprises Geoffrey’s journal, which he began just after his fourteenth birthday, in September 1983. At the time he and his family were living in San Jose, California. As a ninth grader he attended school at Piedmont Hills High School. He played in their marching band, was active on the Frosh/Soph football team and in wrestling. Upon returning to Salt Lake City he attended East High School, where he was very active, especially in Seminary. His journal entries betray a deep love for people of all kinds, class mates, pupils he assisted with in a special education class, store customers, old folks in the retirement home.
At nineteen Geoffrey committed himself to two years of missionary service. Two extensive documents record Geoffrey’s experiences and learnings during this period. 1) a journal kept on a daily basis and 2) a notebook. In the back of this notebook he began to record his various mission assignments and, as in a school yearbook, personal comments from some of his companions. Here he also recorded the names and addresses of his many missionary friends. In the front he filled fourteen pages with numerous especially treasured quotations, sayings and aphorisms. There were two principles that seem to permeate Geoffrey’s missionary experiences: 1) hard work, 2) spirituality.
In the period following his mission Geoffrey still kept notes and significant documents that are helpful in understanding his life. At the beginning of 1994 Geoffrey seems to have turned over a new leaf, because there is a period of about a month when he began again to keep a journal.
To these documents I have added a small selection of photographs that should lend a vividness to his life not possible without the proverbial equivalent of thousands of words.
