Weber and Davis County Communities

Ogden Buddhist Temple

The Weber and Davis County Communities Oral History Project includes interviews conducted by Weber State University faculty, staff, students. The interviews cover various topics including community service, city government, diversity, military service, personal everyday life experiences and other recollections regarding the history of the Weber and Davis County areas.

Richard Richards discusses his early life growing up in Ogden, his family, education, political career, and devotion to Weber State University. Richards, a WSU alum, attorney, author, and Republican Party National Committee Chairman, endowed the Richard Richards Institute of Politics and Ethics and currently serves on the board. The interview took place on August 7 and 13, and September 24, 2012.

Bert Smith, one of the founding partners of Smith and Edwards, discusses starting the army surplus store in the 1950s and his memories of Ogden. The interview took place on June 3, 2015.

Steven R. Smith shares his memories of growing up and working in his father's store, Smith and Edwards. He also discusses some of the history of the store. The interview took place on March 9, 2015.

Stephen Stanford discusses his experiences in the Army Air Force as a C-46 aircraft pilot. Stanford enlisted in the Air Force in July of 1941 and served in World War II where he was responsible for flying gasoline and ammunition to the front lines until his separation in 1946. He then went on to become a professor at Weber State and retired in 1986. The interview took place on March 11, 2013.

Robert Stegen discusses his experiences as a veteran of World War II. Stegen was drafted in 1943 and served until 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. He is a Purple Heart recipient and also earned the Bronze Star for valor in combat. Following his military service, Stegen began his career at the Army Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah and retired as a chief civilian of that facility in 1980 with 37 years of service. The interview took place on March 11, 2013.

Bernice Stromberg shares her memories and associations of the community, the Great Depression, and World War II. She also discusses her husband, C. William "Bill" Stromberg, who served on the founding Board of the Stewart Education Foundation. The interview took place on October 3, 2012.

John Udy shares his experiences as a veteran of the Army Air Force. Udy served in the military from 1942 to 1945 as a colonel and first pilot of the B-17 aircraft. During that time he flew 35 missions over Germany as an aircraft commander and received the Distinguished Flying Cross medal for his service in combat.

Olene Smith Walker, former governor of the state of Utah from 2003 to 2005, discusses her early years growing up in Weber County with her parents Thomas and Nina Smith. She then talks about her decision to run for the Utah State Legislature and her eight year tenure, her time as lieutenant governor under Michael Leavitt, and her term as Utah governor. The interview took place on July 5 and 6, 2012.