Governors: Norman Howard Bangerter

NORMAN HOWARD BANGERTER
1933–

Norman Howard Bangerter was born in 1933 in rural Salt Lake County. For 50 years, with the exception of his college and army days, he lived less than ten blocks from the farmhouse where he was born. He attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953–54.

Bangerter began his career as a contractor and over the years became a successful home builder and real estate developer. He entered politics in 1974 after winning a seat in the Utah House of Representatives. His leadership skills helped him become the first Speaker of the House to serve two terms in over 40 years. He became governor in 1984—the state’s first Republican Governor in 20 years. Bangerter outlined his administration’s top priorities, which he called the “Three Es”—education, economic development, and efficiency in government. A fourth “E”, for environment, was added a few years later.

Facing economic difficulties, Bangerter campaigned aggressively to rebuild the state’s economy and successfully recruited new businesses and industries to the state. By his second term, Utah’s economy was growing even during a national recession. During his eight years in office, Bangerter oversaw the establishment of the State Court of Appeals, increased funding and higher test scores for Utah schools, the construction of a performing arts building at the University of Utah and new facilities at the state prison.

ARTIST

E. Keith Eddington (1923–2007) was born in Philadelphia and raised in Lehi, Utah. He served in World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters. Eddington studied art at the University of Utah and was the student of famous artists Arnold Friberg and Alvin Gittins. He later joined the faculty at the University of Utah where he taught for 20 years. During his successful career, he also taught at Brigham Young University and was the head of Keith Eddington and Associates, a highly respected graphic design firm in Salt Lake City. During his retirement, he continued to paint portraits.