September 1, 2023 - When I was a student at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas I wrote my first newspaper article (1955). I was on the staff of “The Compass”, our school paper. My first assignment was to write a story about the world-famous Engineer, R. G. Letourneau. At that time, I had no idea this billionaire’s accomplishments were so expansive and well-known. He built the largest earth-moving machinery in the world, helped build The Hoover Dam, founded The Christian’s Business Men’s Association, and gave…. not ten percent…. but 90 per cent of his earnings to The Church. He also founded The LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
When I drove to a Kilgore, Texas Construction site, I saw a man dressed in work-khahis and asked him where I could find Engineer Dr. Letourneau. I was surprised when he said, “I’m Letourneau.“ “What can I do for you, son?” After telling him that I wrote for “The Compass “, I asked what his secret was for building the world’s largest earth-moving machines. “I lie down at night and ask the Lord what He wanted me to build next…. and I do what He says.” By the end of the interview I was impressed as much by his humility as I was by his achievements.
LeTourneau was widely known as a devoted Christian and generous philanthropist to Christian causes, including the "LeTourneau Christian Center" camp and conference grounds in Rushville, New York[6] and Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa, Georgia. LeTourneau was often referred to by his contemporaries as "God's businessman. In March 1969, LeTourneau suffered a severe stroke from which he never recovered. Matthew 6:33 is inscribed at the foot of R.G. LeTourneau's grave at the LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
