James Mansfield "Moose" MALMQUIST

1931 - 2016

The family of James Mansfield Malmquist is saddened to announce that our beloved "Moose" passed away on August 17, 2016 at the age of 85. Long involved with Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Moose spent his retirement near Scandia, where he was active in Elim Lutheran Church and the Gammelgården Swedish heritage museum. Moose was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on July 18, 1931 to Mansfred and Esther (Norstrom) Malmquist, and grew up in Buhl and Grand Rapids. He enrolled at Gustavus in 1949 and was a three-year starter on the football team. As a senior, he served as a captain, earned all-conference honors, and won the Langsjoen Medal as the senior athlete with the highest grade point average. A prized possession was a try-out letter from the Chicago Bears. But in a pattern that guided his entire life, he put family first, pursuing a more secure life as a coach and teacher. After graduating in 1953, Moose taught in northern Minnesota, served as athletic director and head football coach at Texas Lutheran University and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, and was head football coach at Bemidji State. Returning to Gustavus in 1974, he served as athletic director and chaired the Department of Physical Education and Health. He also served as president of the NAIA Athletics Directors Association and chaired the NCAA Division III Football Committee. Moose was inducted into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984. During his 23 years as athletic director, Gustavus grew from 11 to 23 varsity programs, with 82 conference championships and 13 national titles. An early supporter of women's athletics, Moose was also instrumental in the construction of Lund Center. He continued to follow Gustie teams after retirement, and was particularly happy to alert family and friends when they outdueled St. Olaf and other MIAC foes. Moose's many friends knew him as a true renaissance man, with boundless curiosity and remarkably broad interests. He had a lifelong love of books, and is fondly remembered for his poetry. Above all else, Moose was the rare storyteller who loved to spin a yarn as well as listen to a tale well told. Moose is survived by his four children, Lauri, Mike, Casey, and David; former wife and good friend Annie Storholm Aird; long-time companion Judy Burmeister; sister Roberta Fahlman and her children; cousin Max Malmquist; 7 grandchildren; 3 grand-nephews and nieces; close friend Elaine Wester; and his beloved dog Joey. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Keith and sister Bette, and niece Kirsten Wagner. A service celebrating Moose's life will be held in Christ Chapel at Gustavus on Saturday, October 1st at 9:00 am, with a gathering following the 1 pm Homecoming game. A second memorial will be held at Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia on Monday, October 3rd. It will begin with an informal gathering at 10 am, followed by an 11 am service and a noontime luncheon. Interment in Elim Cemetery is private. Memorial donations may be made to the Moose Malmquist Gustavus Athletics Endowment Fund or Gammelgården Museum.