R.G. LeTourneau

R.G. LeTourneau (http://www.letu.edu/opencms/opencms/_Academics/library/museum/Man/page_1.html)

R.G. LeTourneau exemplified the American dream in his initiative, work ethic, service to others, and devotion to God. Rebellious in his early years, he dropped out of school at the age of fourteen. He eventually built an empire and died a millionaire. Discontented with the machinery of the day, instead of complaining, he designed and built his own. LeTourneau, Inc. grew through the Great Depression and later provided seventy percent of the heavy earthmoving equipment used by the allies in the Second World War. The company continues today as LeTourneau Technologies.

All U.S. carriers had LeTourneau crash cranes (http://www.letu.edu/opencms/opencms/_Academics/library/museum/Machines/page_2.html)

Driving a tractor, one mile per hour, ten to fourteen hours a day, gave LeTourneau plenty of time to think. It also made him intimately familiar with the equipment and how it could be improved. The first machine he developed allowed a scraper to only need one operator instead of two. Previously, a person had to drive the tractor while another rode on the scraper to adjust it. He did not stop there. He continued to invent new machines and to make improvements, always with the goal of getting as much done as possible with as little work as necessary. LeTourneau eventually earned a total of 299 patents. His company began on a one acre piece of land in southern California. It was incorporated in 1929, and by the mid 1940’s, the company had added plants in Australia. The company's marketing phrase proved to be correct, "Built on Experience. Driven by Vision."

Though R.G. achieved great success with many firsts and received numerous awards, he never forgot where he came from or who enabled him to become great. By the later years of his life, he regularly donated ninety percent of his income to charity through his own foundation and Christian mission projects in Africa and South America. LeTourneau even built specific machines for the development of third world nations. He also started LeTourneau University in Texas. In the last few months of his life, when old age and hard work had taken their toll, only thoughts of the Lord filled his mind. He never forgot God’s blessings and never failed to give glory to Him.

R.G. LeTourneau is a hero to me, primarily because of his selfless devotion to Christ. Dedication, perseverance, and hard work in his occupation served a higher purpose than to make him rich and famous. He returned that which God gave. R.G. also reigns as my hero because he illustrates the American dream. Only in a free nation, founded on biblical principles, giving God the glory, and trusting in Him can someone achieve such a level of success. If we forget this and take the credit for ourselves, God will no longer bless us, and we will no longer prosper as individuals and as a nation.