West Jordan Remembers its First Mayor
Jan 28, 2016 01:45PM ● By Taylor StevensBy Taylor Stevens | [email protected]
West Jordan - West Jordan lost its first mayor at the end of last year and with him a link to the city’s history—a reminder of how far the city has come and how much it’s stayed the same.
Dr. Bruce Egbert died of natural causes in his daughter’s home at the age of 84 on Nov. 15, 2015. Born June 19, 1931, Egbert graduated from Jordan High School and went on to get a degree from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, according to his obituary in the Deseret News.
Egbert is survived by his wife and children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, some of who still live and work in West Jordan.
A chiropractor, member of the West Jordan Boxing Club and a pilot, Egbert was also West Jordan City’s first mayor from 1966–1973. As the city’s first mayor, he was also West Jordan’s eighth and last town board president. The title was changed to mayor when the city was reclassified as a third-class city in July 1967 because it had reached a population of over 1,200 residents, according to “A History of West Jordan.”
Egbert served West Jordan for two terms, but was not reelected for a third.
The mayor is remembered as “one of the most innovative, controversial achievers who has served the city in a leadership role,” according to “A History of West Jordan.”
The Egbert administration faced many challenges as the world changed, and the community was forced to balance keeping up with the times with growth and maintaining tradition with West Jordan’s farming populations.
As Egbert pushed growth to improve West Jordan’s financial situation, opposition to the mayor increased. However, his push for growth brought 23 new industries to the city, which, according to “A History of West Jordan,” “brought praise from the council and some citizens, who appreciated the financial benefit to the city.”
Not all of Egbert’s moves were considered controversial. The mayor brought in the city’s first garbage truck, and the salaried position of city manager came about under his administration, according to “A History of West Jordan.”
Overall, Egbert will be remembered as a “tireless worker whose efforts moved the community forward, ofttimes against the strong resistance of some factions in the city,” according to “A History of West Jordan.”
Graveside services were held Thursday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m.