Longview Texas and Le Tourneau University

Wednesday, 13th August

Longview,Texas is a place I have always wanted to visit, home of the RG Le Tourneau, earthmoving machine plant and the Le Tourneau Univervisity My main mentor in my struggle to achieve my destiny in life. RG who said, amongst a lot of other wise sayings and clichés. ‘No job is too big it just the machines are too small’, ‘don’t need you to work hard, just fast’. ‘If it’s your baby you don’t mind if it cries a bit’.’Make the most of every opportunity’ These prototypes are almost 100 years old 1922

For me it all started with someone giving me the book ‘ Mover of Men and Mountains’, the story of RG Le Tourneau. In the sixties.

The book inspired me on many fronts. The man’s indominatable drive. His confidence in his plans and dreams and his total commitment to God and the Lord Jesus Christ who unashamedly took first place in all he did ,culminating in him giving away over 90% of his life earnings and becoming a noted speaker and encourager. Flying to appointments most weekends in his own jet plane .

A mind that took out over 200 patents including over 70 during the second World War and his company supplied around 70% of the earth moving task during that conflict.

Our connection culminated in meeting his son Roy and actually have him and his wife, Shirley as our guests on our farm back in the 90’s .

The LeTourneaus were very involved in a world wide orgainisation called Christian Business Men .

It turns out we had a local committee here based in Wycheproof for a number of years and I found myself involved in this excellent organisation of like minded men .

We found that Roy Le Tourneau, RG’s son was a noted CBMC speaker and was invited to come to Australia to talk about his own international humanitarian work and at the some time he was managing his father’s foundation.

I knew the impact the book, Mover of Men and Mountains had on many of my friends so lobbied to get him to Donald and was able to help organise a function with over 300 in our Memorial Hall and some of you will remember that as a special event.

The LeTourneau University is a large landscaped, pleasant campus and is a tribute to the man , his vision and passion to move and improve both men and machines.

To have a close look at the initial contraptions, the then choice of materials available, the adaption of rubber tyres on equipment that he had to develop himself, the electric welding of metal and the primitive bracing and strengthening, the result of trial and error is still evident.

Unfortunately we did not get to see Roy as he only passed away last year but the memories of what these guys did and the work they did in Liberia in Africa and in Peru in South America and the inspiration is a testament to their faith in themselves and in a God who can do great things .