[1] Pinnock graduated from University of Utah in 1958, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and Owl and Key.

[2][3] In 1958, Pinnock became student body president at the University of Utah, following future senator Bob Bennett.

[4] Ten years later, Pinnock managed the successful senatorial campaign of Bennett's father, Wallace F.

[4] Prior to his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1977 he served as a bishop, regional representative, president of the Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission, and a member of the General Priesthood Committee on home teaching.

He died in Salt Lake City from pulmonary fibrosis[5] while he was serving in the presidency of the church's North America Southwest Area.