Elder Haight Honored as City’s Oldest Living Ex-Mayor

Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve recently visited Palo Alto, California, for the city’s centennial celebration. As the city’s oldest living ex-mayor, he, along his wife, Ruby, was welcomed by the town crier and greeted with red-carpet treatment.

Elder Haight served as mayor of Palo Alto from 1961 to 1963 and also served a two-year term on the city council prior to that. At his last council meeting as mayor, he announced that he had been called by the Church to serve as president of a mission in Scotland. Council members wanted to send a delegation to Salt Lake City to persuade Church leaders to let their mayor remain, but Brother Haight was committed to his new assignment.

The Haights had moved to Palo Alto in 1941 and quickly became active members of the community and ward. During the centennial celebration, Elder Haight was recognized for his work in the Church as well as honored for his service to the community.