Ross Wright Eskelson

Ross W. Eskelson of Smithfield, Utah passed away June 21, 2008, at Logan Regional Medical Center of natural causes. He was born May 2, 1921 at Devils Slide, Utah. He grew up in Devils Slide and Ogden, Utah, graduating from Weber High School. He attended Weber State College prior to World War II. Following the war, he completed his studies at Utah State Agricultural College, graduating with bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical and manufacturing engineering. During World War II he served in the US Army Air Force in Manchester England. With his background in engineering and machining, he was in charge of the operations at one air base for repairing B-17 bombers for service – particularly the engines. He married Bernice Perrins, of Ogden, on June 6, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of four children. Following the war, while at Utah State, he worked with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service doing winter snow surveys and at the Utah State Research Foundation developing early over snow vehicles. In 1958 through 1961 he worked for Sperry Corporation in Salt Lake City, developing welding techniques used in building rocket motor casings. Following that time, he returned to Logan and was instrumental in starting the Logan division of Thiokol Chemical Corporation which became the dominant builder of "snowcats" in the industry in the 1960's and 1970's, including the widely known Trackmaster and Spryte vehicles. This provided the opportunity to travel throughout the world on projects for development of off highway vehicles. In 1971 he left Thiokol to pursue his own consulting business in the world of over snow vehicles and did early design, development and production of snow grooming equipment for Bombardier Corporation of Valcourt, Quebec. He continued to develop individual specialized vehicles for ski resorts, particularly Winter Park, Colorado and doing development for Bombardier. In 1972 he resumed his teaching career at Weber State College, in Ogden, Utah. Upon retirement, he was head of the department of Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering at Weber State. In retirement he continued to pursue his life long mission of development of over snow vehicles. He was asked by LMC Corp. the successor to Thiokol to return and help with a particular engineering problem. LMC even purchased one of his later designs and the equipment he had acquired to construct that vehicle, although it was never built prior to the sale of that entity. He continued to design many new possible designs which were still in his file cabinets and on his drafting table at his death. Ross loved reading and the outdoors, particularly in activities with his family. He held a pilot's license and enjoyed fly fishing, hunting and camping. He loved all mechanical things, and in his earlier years was involved with both motorcycle and hydroplane boat racing and had been offered a position as a mechanic for one of the prominent teams involved in the early days of NASCAR stock car racing. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, serving as a long time scoutmaster, Sunday school teacher and as a stake missionary and guide at the Logan Temple grounds in the early years of his marriage to Bernice. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Thelma, two brothers, Elmo and Ralph, and his son, Mark Eskelson. He is survived by his wife, Bernice of Smithfield, his son Scott Ronda of Idaho Falls, his son Lynn Margene of Preston, daughter, Doreen John Solum of Layton, Utah, his brother, David Judy Eskelson of Meeker, Colorado, and 16 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be under the direction of Bishop Roger Hansen, at the Smithfield 17th Ward Chapel, 200 South 100 E., Smithfield, Utah on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:00 Noon. The family will visit with friends Thursday evening, June 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield and from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the church on Friday morning prior to the service. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .