Norman B. Johansen

Johansen, Norman B.
88, of Mesa, AZ, died Monday, May 4, 2009, at Banner-Baywood Hospital in Mesa. He was born February 21, 1921, in Clinton. Iowa, to Eden and Nettie Johansen. Norman graduated from Clinton High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps to serve as a pilot in World War II, training on B-24 and B-25 planes and flying C54 cargo transport planes from India into China. Following the War, Norm returned to graduate from Iowa State Teachers College, but continued to serve his country as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1975. He married Genevra Alice Kirchman in 1946. They had two sons, Michael and Richard. Genevra preceded Norm in death. Norman coached high school athletes at Pella, Iowa, before continuing his education and earning Master's Degree from the University of Iowa. In 1951, Norm began his college coaching career at Wartburg College where he taught physical education and coached football, wrestling and golf. His football teams won Iowa Conference Championships in 1958 and 1959, and his wrestling teams won Iowa Conference Championships in 1954 and 1960. He earned his Doctorate from the University of Missouri in 1970 and served in the University's Physical Education Department. Dr. Johansen was athletic director at Northern Arizona University from 1970 to 1974. Norm served as coordinator of General Education for the Maricopa Community College District before serving as Dean of Continuing Education at Mesa Community College. While serving as Dean, he earned post-doctorate work at Harvard University's Life Long Learning Program as well as touring 12 folk high schools in Sweden and Denmark to observe their higher education system. Dean Johansen retired in 1989. Norm married Fran Gohlke in 1989; for twenty years they have been together blending two families into one beautiful family. During his life, he has won many awards, but two were special to him. In 2003, Norm was inducted into the into Wartburg College's Athletic Hall of Fame. One year later, Dr. Johansen was inducted into the Hall of Excellence at the University of Northern Iowa School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Studies. The couple has been involved in many activities and members of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe. Norm leaves many friends and family members including his wife, Fran Johansen of Mesa, AZ; sons Michael of Petersburg, IN and Richard (Chris) of Brazil, IN; daughters Diona (Mike) of Jones, OK, Donielle (Ric) of College Station, TX; and son Jason (Masumi) of College Station, TX; as well as 12 grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, AZ, at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009 (Arizona time). Norm had a number of causes that were dear to his heart. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to one of the following: The Dr. Norman B. and Fran Johansen Scholarship Endowment at MCC which they established to benefit single-parent students who are re-entering college. Checks should be made payable to the Maricopa Colleges Foundation and sent to Mesa Community College Development Office, Attn. Deb DeVore, 1833 West Southern Avenue, Mesa AZ 85202. On-line donations by credit card can be made at: http://www.maricopa.edu/foundation/ways/index.php. For additional information, please contact Deb DeVore at 480-461-7356. Wartburg College , Waverly, IA, or King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern, Tempe, AZ.