Cheesman, Paul R. 1921-1991.

Born on May 31, 1921 in Brigham City, Utah, Cheesman was an influential businessman, educator, and religious leader in the LDS Church. After losing both his parents at a young age, he oversaw his own schooling until he enrolled at San Diego State University, eventually graduating with a degree in education. He served as a university professor, military Chaplain during the Korean War, and as president of the Foster Corporation. This last position required Cheesman to be heavily involved in Central America, where he discovered a love for archaeology, thereafter amassing a sizable collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Combining this interest with his religious convictions, he became a leading authority on the archaeology of The Book of Mormon. From 1963-1986, he was a professor at Brigham Young University's Religion Department. He married Millie Foster in 1944 and was the father of six children. He died in 1991 after a massive heart attack.