[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO MARVIN D. ``SWEDE'' JOHNSON

                                 ______


                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 1995
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, many Missourians, especially young 
Missourians, mourn the passing of Marvin D. ``Swede'' Johnson of 
Tucson, AZ. He was best known as a former grand consul of the Sigma Chi 
Fraternity. He was a friend and an inspiration to those who knew him 
and worked with him through the years.
  Marvin D. Johnson, vice president of public affairs for Coors Brewing 
Co. for the past decade, died of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. 
He was 66. Johnson was an academic administrator for 35 years at the 
University of Arizona and University of New Mexico before joining Coors 
in 1985. He was renowned as a community leader and raised millions of 
dollars for charities.
  Born November 2, 1928, in Willcox, AZ, Johnson worked as a youth at 
his father's ranch and feed store and earned 17 athletic letters at 
Willcox Union High School. He received a scholarship at the University 
of Arizona and made the football team as a walk-on. After graduating 
from Arizona, Johnson stayed on 27 years as an administrator. He 
started out in a temporary position, then became director of the 
student union before being promoted to vice president for university 
relations. From 1977 to 1985, Johnson was vice president of student 
affairs at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and served as 
chairman of the Western Athletic Conference. He moved to Coors in 1985.
  At Arizona, the alumni foundation was named the Marvin D. ``Swede'' 
Johnson Building in 1993, when he also was awarded an honorary 
doctorate degree by the university. Johnson considered his greatest 
career achievement the lobbying effort he directed to establish a 
medical school at Arizona. He also was international grand consul of 
the Sigma Chi Fraternity from 1983 to 1984, and national chairman for 
the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in 1980. He 
received the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award in 1982, the 
same year he was elected to ``Who's Who in America.''
  He is survived by his wife, Stella; two daughters, Lynn Engel of 
Foster City, CA, and Karen Riebe of Tucson, AZ; a grandson, Marshall 
Riebe; and a sister, Ann Johnson McPherson of Houston. Many Members of 
this body had the opportunity to know Swede through the years, He was 
an outstanding leader, an inspiring example, and a good friend. Those 
who knew him will truly miss him.


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