Lögberg-Heimskringla - 19.12.1986, Blaðsíða 9

ALDARAFMÆLISÁR, FÖSTUDAGUR 19. DESEMBER 1986 9
Interview with Dr. George Johnson
From 1. to r. Dr. George Johnson, Solli Sigurdsson, Eric Stefansson,
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, Philip Petursson and Elman Guttormson.
Continued from Page 8.
the Falcons, their accomplishments
as a great Icelandic hockey tearn, I
also sensed his love of this truly
Canadian game. Sure, they were
Icelanders competing in Canada, but
also for Canada. I realized that he
was proud of them. He undoubtedly
has told others the same stories and
will continue to do so as a proud
Icelander. But we had mentioned the
Interlake, so I asked him about his
move to Gimli.
A MOVE TO GIMLI
''Well, I did not have any direct ties
to Gimli, but I, as a child and an
adolescent spent summers with my
grandparents; but when I became 17
ör 18, when the War started, things
changed. I joined the Navy in 1941
and when I came out (1945) and
finished Medical School (1950, from
the University of Manitoba) I actual-
ly had accepted an invitation from
the Winnipeg Clinic to serve as one
of their interns.
In the meantime, Dr. Kjartan
Johnson was in Gimli — he went
there in 1939 when they built the
hospital. When the Air Force came
in, the hospital was quite busy and
they covered everything. They had
the only surgery that was going on in
the area, but Kjartan decided to leave
in 1949. Apparently it had been
agreed that the hospital should
always have a doctor of Icelandic
background; Kjartan left and they ap-
proached me. They came down and
urged me to come to Gimli. Kjartan
was very keen that I did — and so I
thought, well (he laughs), I thought
I was getting old — I was 29 — 1 had
three kids and I felt I'd better get go-
ing. Well, that is how events or situa-
tions take over your life.
Doris, my wife, knew Gimli better
than I did, but neither of us had any
strong relations. But when Barney
Egiison, the Mayor, Fred Sigmund-
son and business people from Gimli
came down and asked me, I travelled
north with my father. He suggested
I look at this opportunity, and so I
did.
I practiced medicine in Gimli from
1950-1958 and enjoyed every minute
of it. The people were very good to
me and I hope I did something good
for them in return."
Dr. Johnson's service to Gimli and
the Interlake as a medical doctor
speaks for itself. There is no reason
here to elaborate. Suffice it to say that
he was on the Betel Board of Direc-
tors for years, was loved in the com-
munity and respected. He was
outspoken when it came to social
problems and his voioe was heard. I
asked him how he became involved
in politics.
"I wasn't very interested in politics
until I came to Gimli. Remember, I
was around 30 years of age. I already
had three children, but I naturally
had my opinions. But this was in the
early 50's and we had some problems
there; also, many social problems. I
joined a group of people my age who
were active in the community. It was
not a very large community but, as
a physician, you became involved.
Now, when I think back, I think I
was one of many people who became
involved and felt they could change
a few things. Yet, although I became
involved with the community I never
dreamt I would be entering politics
— it always seemed to me that
politics and medicine probably didn't
mix. But that changed."
A VISIT TO GIMLI BY
MR. DUFFERIN ROBLIN
"When Mr. Roblin came down I
realized, not at first, but later, that I
had caught the eye of prominent
politicians. He said, 'If you want the
things done you have been talking
about, here is your opportunity to do
something about them.' He came to
the door; my wife thought he was a
drug-salesman. He was the leader of
the opposition at that time. Doris
kept him waiting for a long time —
eventually she offered him fish —
pickerel fillets. I was out on house
calls that afternoon, but when I came
home, I found this chap in my kit-
chen. I mUst say that we were so
naive at first .— we really didn't
understand the significance of his
visit or, for that matter, his role.
Later, he went with me on house
calls and he used to come down the
odd weekénd. Gradually, he not on-
ly convinced me, but also my wife,
that I should run. Mr. Thompson had
been a member and the Conserva-
tives had not been in office for some
time. I was going for it. I wanted to
get things off my chest. Also, I felt I
could always go back to my practice.
My mother was living in Winnipeg at
the time, so a move would give me
more opportunity to see more of her
and my family.”
Dr. Geroge Johnson ran for office
in 1958 and was elected in the Gimli
constituency. In his book, The
Icelanders in Canada, W.J. Lindal
summarizes Dr. Johnson's distin-
guished political public service thus:
"When Premier Dufferin Roblin,
after winning the general election of
1958, was called upon to form a
government, he selected Dr.
Johnson, although without previous
political experience, to the portfolio
of Minister of Health and Public
Welfare — an exceedingly heavy
Cabinet position. In 1961 the Premier
divided the department and ap-
pointed Dr. Johnson Minister of
Health. In 1963 Dr. Johnson was
transferred to the Department of
Education.”
It was not my intention to dwell on
Dr. Johnson's political career. I think
enough has been said and written.
Suffice it to say here that he opted
out of politics and returned to
medicine. I was more interested in
his appointment as Lieutenant-
Governor. I asked him "How do you
feel about the new challenge?”
"Well, you are right, it is a new
challenge. It is a little like going into
the unknown, but I have been there
before. I certainly never expected
Duff Roblin to come knocking on my
door in Gimli in 1958. Personally, it
means we will have to move. Our
home will be the Government House
and my office will be in the Legisla-
tive Building. But, I'll tell you, it took
me by surprise. It was last Thursday
(November 13) when, out of the blue
sky, the phone rang and the Prime
Minister said: 'Is that you George? I
would like to appoint you the new
Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba.' I
took a deep breath. My son, Jón, was
there, Doris was away. I sat down
and thanked the Prime Minister for
the conversation. I never expected
that call, but I naturally was flattered.
I certainly was honored to be called
upon."
With these words our conversation
ended, i.e. on record. Remember,
the late President of Iceland, Mr.
this was Dr. Johnson's birthday — his
family awaited. By this time Doris
had joined us and Dr. Johnson was
digging up old photographs. He has
a unique collection. As they recalled
events from the past, I came to
realize that I was listening to husband
and wife who had lived a very rich
life. From the beginning I had felt
very much at home during our talk.
Dr. Johnson had made me feel that
way. It was simply one hurnan being
talking to another. Doris was just the
same. She obviously has been a very
wonderful wife — she is strong. After
all, as Dr. Johnson stated: "She has
been a naval officer's wife, medical
student's wife, physician's wife,
politician's wife, and now a
lieutenant-governor's wife." That
won't change anything, I am sure.
She will always remain strong, yet a
down-to-earth woman. We joined the
party. Some of their children and
their spouses had come to visit on
this special occasion. To them it was
just another Dad's birthday. Yes,
they naturally are proud of their
father, but his new position will not
go to their heads.
As I left the house on 299 Waverley
Street and entered my car, I still had
with me this pleasant feeling I had
felt during my entire visit. On my
way home I thought about the role
of a Lieutenant-Governor. It is not
one of power, yet it is one of great
significance in Canada. Anyone fill-
ing that position must be a great per-
son, someone who is warm, friend-
ly, intelligent. This person should
make one happy, make one feel
good. These are exactly the qualities
of Dr. George Johnson.
Þjóðræknisfélag íslendinga í Vesturheimi
FORSETI: OLI NARFASON
Gimli, Manitoba
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