Heritage Snapshot: Part 126

Raymond Archie Mortensen, PhD, was identified as a master teacher, accomplished scientist, Christian Gentleman, and a man who stood head and shoulders above the multitude in both stature and intellect. He became one of Loma Linda Universisty’s most popular teachers. Among those mentioned in oral histories as a favorite professor, he is mentioned more than any other member of the CME/LLU School of Medicine faculty. Dr. Mortensen taught biochemistry and became famous for his exceptional intellect. He was so esteemed and admired that Loma Linda University named its biochemistry building, Raymond A. Mortensen Hall, January 24, 1974—eighteen years before his death at age 96 in 1992. The only other building on campus to be so-named while the namesake still lived was John A. Burden Hall, named after the institution’s co-founder in 1934, almost eight years before Burden’s death. Dr. Mortensen was born September 17, 1896, in Marquam, Oregon. He attended Lodi Academy in Lodi, California, and Pacific Union College, in Angwin, California. He graduated from PUC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919. He immediately joined the PUC faculty as an instructor in physics and chemistry, thus beginning a career in education that spanned more than 50 years. In 1925 Mr. Mortensen earned his Master of Arts degree at the University of Southern California and in 1933 his PhD degree in physical chemistry from Stanford University. In the meantime, as Professor of Chemistry at Pacific Union College, he engaged in heavy teaching assignments and an active program of research and publication until 1937. In 1938 Dr. Mortensen accepted a teaching appointment at the Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists and the next year became Chair of its Department of Biochemistry. He retired from Loma Linda University in 1970. From the beginning of his tenure at Loma Linda he became the favorite lecturer of student physicians. According to E. Harold Shryock, MD, one of his former students and colleagues: “His lectures were masterpieces of organization, always up to date in content, and presented in faultless language. Each lecture was delivered so precisely that its normal conclusion came at the very moment the closing bell sounded. This skill in lecturing dated back to the early part of his teaching career at Pacific Union College when he used to go to the woods to perfect each lecture before delivering it in the classroom.” Notwithstanding Dr. Mortensen’s extensive contributions to scholarship and scientific inquiry, he was most highly respected for his achievements as an educator. His remarkable and orderly mind resulted from educated self-discipline. He became an example and inspiration to his students. As a patient, articulate, and unquestioned master of his science, Dr. Mortensen earned the respect and devotion of his students. Through his insistence on maintaining the highest academic standards, no student ever “slid through” one of his courses. And because of his distinguished abilities as a teacher, none ever wanted to. In fact, his freshman classes achieved the top or near the top performances on the National Board Subject Examination in Biochemistry. Dr. Mortensen was acquainted with history, culture, and world events. And he had a penchant for details. He could recite facts from his textbooks and provide not only the page number from which he quoted, but also the paragraph. When former students visited him during his retirement, he could remember where they sat in his classes, what grade they received, and even what questions they missed during oral quizzes. When in his honor Loma Linda University started the endowed Mortensen Chair in Biochemistry, many former students not only donated funds, but also wrote letters of appreciation. Dr. Mortensen read and re-read these letters and valued them highly. Read at a surprise celebration in his honor, Ray M. Kellogg (Class of 1951) wrote: “Over the years I have attended a half dozen colleges and universities. Never did I have a teacher who had a course so splendidly structured, a lecturer who explained the intricacies of the subject so lucidly or who taught so succinctly. You have been a teacher among teachers and given real meaning to the title of Doctor.” Larry Potts, MD (Class of 1973) wrote: “I have always appreciated your teaching skill and dedication in helping us through a difficult subject. You have a very special skill and it will never be forgotten by those of us who needed your help so badly.” R. Bruce Wilcox, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry once wrote: “Dr. Mortensen recruited me to join the Biochemistry Department at LLU. He was a very strong chairman. No detail escaped his notice. Previous generations had nicknamed him “Saul,” because like King Saul in the Bible he stood head and shoulders above his brethren. During my early years we younger biochemists called him “Bwana,” our great white father—but never to his face. He never let on, but I’m sure he knew.” In 1965 Dr. Mortensen became one of three members of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine faculty to be named “Distinguished Service Professor.” In 1969 Pacific Union College named him Alumnus of the Year. In 1976 he received the Charles Elliott Weniger Award of Excellence by the Pacific Union College Alumni Association. The award was presented to a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and to individuals who had demonstrated qualities of inspiration, motivation, and excellence in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Mortensen became a member in four distinguished scientific groups. The College of Medical Evangelists dedicated its 1953 yearbook March of CME to him. Although dignified, he was approachable. He considered his 35 years of teaching student physicians at Loma Linda a most enjoyable and rewarding experience.