Penny Heal (Breiman)

Thoughtful question Lynn.  However, there is another piece, the victims whom we should remember as well.

Lynn Roth (Christensen)

Yes, Penny, of course. As we know ourselves now but maybe not understanding our youthful self circa '63..just wondered if anyone would have spoken openly then. Every being is valued in His eyes and should be in ours. Appreciate you kind insight.

Ronald Scott

Lynn Roth Christensen mentions the “banter” in 1963 over whether to include Rex Hintze’s senior portrait in the school yearbook. Ultimately, the powers-that-be excluded Rex. Go figure!  Consider this irony.  At the very moment Maurice Clayton, a Mormon bishop and the father of Carol Clayton whom Rex had beaten to death and left half buried in the West Deseret, publicly forgave his daughter’s killer, a petty claque of professional educators, hired to teach and guide the teenagers of Olympus, voted him off our island. “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” is exactly that kind of mindless tactic that permits serious problems to fester until they explode, as they did that awful night in 1963.  It was fitting, but not particularly surprising, that 40 years later many of our classmates denied Rex was ever one of us. He was, as many here have confirmed.  

Stan Packer

Thanks Ron. Good comments.

Donna Peterson

When I was in Graduate School at the U of U I went to a house party at a condo apartment building just beyond Hogle Zoo.  Much to my surprise one of the guests was Rex Hintze.  I thought he was still in prison but avoided the topic not wanting to 'out him' just in case others did not know his background.  Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him during the evening and was totally impressed with his maturity and manner.  

I got to know Rex at Olympus Junior High in one of my classes.  Rex was a lot of fun and wanted to contribute but our male teacher seemed to delight in publically humiliating him.  (Perhaps some of you remember the little cubbyhole the teacher called the 'sweat box' at the front of the room.) Unfortunately we were too young and naïve to label and report the teacher's actions for what they were - abuse and bullying.   I am sure most of us resented what was happening yet felt powerless to stop it - which could explain why we collectively spent so much time coming up with elaborate schemes to make this teacher's life miserable.

Yes it was a different time when the rights of children were not a topic for discussion or much consideration.  Reading our collective comments they seem to support the notion that although some of us got to know the Rex who was basically a friendly and caring kid, we also knew something was going very wrong in his life.  When I saw his 'in memory' page it brought back a flood of good and not so good memories, and I felt a deep sadness.  I wondered what others would think and if they knew his father used to beat him with a bat.  Could we have done something to change this tragic story?  I like to think knowing Rex contributed to making me a more caring teacher, not being afraid to ask questions beyond the course content.

Michael Scott (Skyline)

Well said Donna,

I came from the Airbase Village before we moved across town and I ended up at Skyline. Quite a transition... Where I came from the kind of abuse Rex experienced was quite common. Most of my old frineds from there are now dead or in prision, just like Rex.....All those Fathers had one thing in common, they were Combat Veterans that the war had turned mean and abusive... If there is a lesson that can be taken away from these pages, it is that with so many of our young people returning from Iraq and Afghansitan we should be extra vigilent for signs of the kinds of problems that our Dad's brought from WW-ll and  Korea. Just last week we lost a family in Murray from a Combat Veteran Father with PTSD... There are many programs available that were not there in the past..... Vigilance on our part might just stop another repeat of what has just happened and with that vigilence and action, perhaps we will stop another young man from being made mean...

Mike

Joan Fairbanks (Reynolds)

I loved the thoughtfulness of the comments I read.  I am posting because I can't believe that I am just finding out that the Rex Hintze who killed and maimed the girls in the desert was our Rex Hintze.  I always knew I knew someone by that name, but until today, I didn't know it was he...our classmate.  

I am so sorry...the crushing pain of life for some seems so unfair.  I remember him, but I don't remember ever really socializing with him. And of course, I was just keeping my own teenage head above the water as well.   Someone mentioned how fragile we all were, and that is so true.  I, for one, was also very unaware. It's the lesson of life.....be kind...think of others....we're all working at doing what we can.  I learned something today.  Thanks for informing me.    

Steven Bagley

Rex and a couple of his  buddies cornered me in the hallway back by the wood shop during lunch one day. Their intent was to kick my butt just because. Everyone close by didn't want to get involved. My friend Brent Popp stepped in and made the odds two to three, which they did not like. The conflict was over to my relief, and i  beat it out of there. I know my story is not like most of the them but I did not care much for Rex.

Cheryl Crane

I guess all this dialogue at least proves one thing:  When we are gone, we are not fogotten!!

Ron H. McKean (Skyline)

Few days went by at Granite High when Rex and I did not exchange blows.  It ended up being sort of a game...who could catch the other one unawares and momentarily disable him.  It got dicey when a couple of his friends came looking.  Big friends.  Fortunately I was quick and was able to remain intact, but it was always tense because my locker was in the same section as Rex's.  When I heard the tragic news I was stunned to say the least.  Survival was no longer an issue now, but I was sickened and completely clueless as to how something so senseless could have happened.  Some 50 years later and hopefully a little wiser, I look back at those days and can only feel a great sadness for all who suffered as a result.  I think of Rex's family.  I think of a life spent enduring what could only be described as living the life of an outcast.  I can only pray that God will forgive Rex.  I hold no ill will, and frankly, even though it often got violent, there was a part of Rex that was a happy go lucky guy who was looking for what most all of us look for...love and acceptance.  He could laugh and joke and be a funny guy.  That's the part I remember about Rex.  The other wasn't something that I've ever dwelt on.  He did the unacceptable, but I believe that God has found him acceptable, and that Rex has found his goodness, and he has learned the lesson he was to learn while a mortal being on this earth.