ERLING TRYGVE JOHANSEN ESQ

1956 - 2015

JOHANSEN, Erling Trygve, Esq. (1956-2015) 59, of Anchorage, Alaska, released his final breath with his wife Eileen by his side on December 24, 2015 at Overhalla, Norway. Born on May 9, 1956 in Rochester, New York, U.S.A., Erling graduated Pittsford High School in 1974. He attended St. John Fisher College at Rochester and transferred to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Erling moved to Cordova, Alaska, and managed Bayside Cold Storage and the Copper River Fishermens' Cooperative. He later formed Independent Cordova Alaska Fish Company exporting salmon and halibut to domestic and int'l markets. A two-term Mayor of Cordova, Erling dealt with the aftermath of the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Disaster and established a permanent fund for the city worth $1M as he left office. In 1987 and 1988 he served as President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. Afterwards, Erling earned his Juris Doctorate at New England School of Law in 1993 and was awarded the T. Cronin Award for Public Service. Erling's law practice included civil law at Davison and Davison Law Firm, Anchorage from 1994 through 2006, Assistant Borough Attorney for the North Slope Borough in Barrow through 2009, and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska through 2014. In May of 2007 Erling was appointed Royal Norwegian Honorary Consul for the State of Alaska. The highlight was receiving His Majesty King Harald V of Norway in May 2015 on an official visit to the USA, including Alaska. Erling was the recipient of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Knight First Class, for outstanding service. From May 2011 Erling served as Honorary Consul of Sweden for Alaska. Erling was a long standing member of Sons of Norway, 2-046 Anchorage, most notably serving as President. He met the love of his life, Eileen, there in February 2000, at a "Snakk Norsk" event. He was an avid fly-fisherman of the Kenai Peninsula, and he enjoyed gardening. Spontaneous and fun, Erling was comfortable in the most formal or casual of settings and made his friends feel like guests of honor. He loved road trips and enjoyed celebrating milestones with family and friends. Erling was a devoted husband, a gentle and patient father, supportive step-dad and step-grandpa. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Haagensen Johansen, son and daughter twins Elias Erling Johansen and ElliAnne Marie Johansen and daughter Elisebeth Eileen Johansen, step-son Logan P. Prokopowich, step-grandson Taylor S. Prokopowich, of Anchorage, Alaska, and brothers Erik Bjarne Johansen of Sydney, Australia and Steven Douglas Johansen of Nordli, Norway. Erling is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Erling Johansen, D.D.S. and Inger Marie Johansen. Funeral services will be held at Ranem Kirke, Overhalla, Norway on January 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.