When they were thrown together, quite literally, in John Hall, a dorm on the lower campus of Brigham Young University, there was no rhyme or reason to it. Certainly no great expectations. Dick Johnson was from Idaho, glad to be starting college because it got him out of doing chores at the family farm in Pocatello. Ken Sasine was from south central Los Angeles, just north of Compton, happy to be breathing clean mountain air in Provo. The Y. A couple of Saturdays ago, Dick Johnson, who lives in Daybreak, celebrated his 80th birthday.
His family reserved the cultural hall at the Latter-day Saint ward next door to their house so they could throw a party. And right there in the middle of them all, wishing the loudest, was Ken Sasine. Still, they found they were simpatico in just about everything under the sun. That summer Dick made enough working at the farm and Ken enough working at a drugstore in South Central to be able to pay for airfare and purchase a motorcycle they shipped to Honolulu so they could get around the island.
They spent fall semester of their junior year in Laie, living with four Polynesians in a six-man dorm room. When they ran out of money they sold the motorcycle and made their way back to Provo. Life, as it will, turned more complicated after that. Ken went to England on a Latter-day Saint mission. Dick finished his degree and graduated in four years.
They were roommates no longer. Not for Ken and Dick. The question momentarily stumps them both. A grand friendship, it appears, is easier done than defined. It just exists as a thing you rely on in your life and value tremendously. There are no strings attached. Any plans for that occasion? Utah Family Education. Published: Nov 12, , p. Megan Nielsen, Deseret News.
By Lee Benson. That was 62 years ago. Join the Conversation. Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them β or use the button below for quick access.
