Rulon S. Wells

Rulon S. Wells III passed away May 3, 2008, of causes incident to age. He was born April 30, 1919 in Salt Lake City to Rulon S. Wells Jr., and Helen Clawson Wells. He was a heritage of true pioneer stock, being a direct descendent of Brigham Young on his mother''s side, and Daniel H. Wells on his father''s side.

He was educated in Salt Lake City, graduating from East High and the University of Utah. In 1942, he received a PhD from Harvard University, specializing in Philosophy and the Science of Languages.

During World War II, he was a language teacher in the Army Specialized Training program. He taught Japanese to special operatives who would act as interrogators to extract information from captured Japanese prisoners. It was during this time that he met Virginia H. Bennett, whom he married on July 21, 1945.

After the war, he was asked to join the faculty at Yale University, where he taught philosophy and linguistics for over 44 years. In 1951-52, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship. Also, while at Yale, his responsibilities included chairing the Humanities Advisory Committee, program chairman of the Yale Linguistics Club, President of the Charles S. Pierce Society in 1971-72, President of the Linguistics Society of America in 1976, and publishing numerous professional articles in various scholastic publications.

Rulon was happiest when seated at his desk, surrounded by hundreds of volumes. He had literally thousands of pages of notes and writings that reflected his life of research and his quest for the ever elusive answers to philosophical questions. When not engrossed in his educational pursuits, he enjoyed fixing things around the house and puttering in his shop. He had a keen intellect and a highly curious mind; he always wanted to know how something worked.

Rulon was preceded in death by only one day, by his dear wife, Virginia. They were married for almost 63 years.

He is survived by two sons, Rulon S. (Sy) Wells IV (Marsha), David Bennett Wells, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Double funeral services will be held 2 pm Wednesday May 7, 2008 at the Bountiful Tabernacle, 51 S. Main, Bountiful Utah where friends may call 12:45-1:45 pm prior to the funeral services. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery under the directions of Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com