Lögberg-Heimskringla - 23.05.2003, Blaðsíða 6

page 6 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Friday, 23 May 2003
“Any man 's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind... No man is an island, entire ofhimself ”—John Donne • “Maður er manns gaman. ”—Hávamál
Spotlighting lives lived and milestones in the lives oflcelandic North Americans.
Björn Jóhannsson látinn
Björn Jóhannsson Deceased
Björn Jóhannsson, Deputy
Editor of Morgunblaðið,
died suddenly at his home on
Wednesday morning April
23rd, at the age of sixty-eight.
Bjöm Jóhannsson was bom
in Hafnarfjörður April 20th
1935. His parent’s were Jóhann
Kristinn Bjömsson, industrial
worker and Kristrún Marta
Kristjánsdóttir, housewife.
Björn graduated from
Menntaskólinn in Akureyri in
1956. He studied philosophy
and English at the University of
Iceland and history and philoso-
phy at the University of
Edinburgh, Scotland in 1957
and 1958.
Björn became the
Managing Director of
Alþýðublaðið in 1958 and was a
news reporter for Alþýðublaðið
from 1958 to 1962. He was the
executive editor for the daily
paper Myndar in 1962 and the
same year he began to work for
Morgunblaðið.
Björn became a news
reporter at Morgunblaðið in
1962. Inl967 he took over the
job of News Editor. In 1981 he
became the Deputy Editor of
Morgunblaðið, a position he
held until his death.
Björn held many positions
in different organizations during
his lifetime. He sat on the board
of directors for the Association
of Icelandic Journalists from
1960 to 1963 and had a seat for
a while on the board of directors
for Varðberg, an association
interested in westem collabora-
tion. He was the editor for
Nordisk Kontakt, the paper pub-
lished by the Council of Nordic
Countries about politics, parlia-
ment and Nordic matters, from
1965 and editor of the Icelandic
chapter of the Yearbook
Þjóðsaga from 1966. He was
the news correspondent for the
news agency Associated Press
from 1964 to 1982 and he was
News Correspondent for the
daily newspaper Politiken in
Copenhagen from 1966 to
1975. Björn was also a News
Correspondent for the daily
newspaper Helsingin Sanomat
in Finland and Dimmalætting in
the Faroe Islands for a while.
He wrote articles for papers
and periodicals in many coun-
tries, for instance Nordisk
Tilskrift and lately he wrote for
the periodical of the Nordic
Association in Finland. Then he
was one of the supervisors for
the radio program Efst á baugi
(In the Forefront) for the
Icelandic National Radio
Station from 1961 to 1970.
Björn married Valgerður
Ákadóttir in 1962 and they had
two children, Jóhann Áki and
Kristrún Helga. Björn and
Valgerður divorced.
In 1973 he married his sur-
viving wife, Guðrún Egilson, a
teacher and an author. They had
two children, Snædís Huld and
Þorsteinn Brynjar.
Björn Jóhannsson was one
of the leaders of the editorial
staff of Morgunblaðið and had
many responsibilities at the
paper which he performed with
care and vigilance.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MORGUNBLAÐIÐ
Björn Jóhannsson
Morgunblaðið thanks Bjöm
for a long and successful collab-
oration and friendship and send
his wife, children and loved
ones their deepest sympathy at
the time of his passing.
Infonnation from Morgunblaðið, Á. H.
Continued from Page I
A Big Thank You
During the two days of pro-
gramming, Connie Clark, with
her technical expertise, and Jeff
Kristjanson as chair of the ses-
sions, kept things running
smoothly despite some of those
inevitable computer glitches
and timing problems.
PHOTO BY ROBERT ÁSGEIRSSON
Páll Pétursson
Perhaps the best part of all
was the chance to renew old
acquaintances and to meet new
ones, including many from the
U.S.A. This convention set a
new record for attendance,
which was a credit to the organ-
izing committee’s work. Those
involved included Jerry
Kristjanson, Del Sveinson, Bob
SEEKINC
ENTHUSIASTIC
VIKIN6S!!!
Ifyou are 16 or older and are looking for
an opportunity to learn about lcelandic
Language and Culture this would be the
job foryou!!!
Vte are currently looking for Camp
Counselors, Instructors, Cooks and a
Lifeguard.
We are a/so looking for Volunteers.
For more information about the camp visit
our website www.icelandiccamp.com
or contact the Camp Director
at (204) 452-9769
Please e-mail resume to Camp Director at
icelandic_camp@hotmail.com or mail to:
lcelandic Language and Cultural Camp
c/o Jodi Burgess, 135 Tufnell Drive
Winnipeg, MB R2N 1J7 CANADA
SCHOLARSHIPS
JON SlGURDSSON CHAPTER IODE
The following Scholarships are offered for Manitoba students:
(1) Johanna Gudrun Skaptason Memorial Scholarship... $500.
For a student who has successfully completed Grade XII and who is
registered in a first year programme at a Manitoba University.
(2) Members Memorial Scholarship...............................$500.
For a student beyond 1st year and registered in a Degree programme
or enrolled in Post-Graduate work.
(3) Hildur Guttormson Memorial Scholarship.....................$500.
For a female adult, resuming studies, with the objective of obtaining
post secondary certification or a degree.
(4) IODE Music Memorial Scholarship............................$300.
For a student who has obtained a high standing, vocal or instrumental,
(Grade VIII or above) in Canada Conservatory or Royal Conservatory
of Toronto examinations.
(5) Snjolaug Gillis Memorial Scholarship................... .$300.
For a student registered in a Nursing program.
(6) Gyda Naylor Memorial Scholarship..........................$300.
For a student who has successfully completed at least one year in
the Faculty of Human Ecology, preferably in Family Studies.
(7) The E. I. Benjaminson Memorial Scholarship..............$300.
For a worthy Medical student, preferably specializing in Geriatrics.
(8) Kristin Stephensen Music Scholarship.................... $300.
For a student studying music, vocal or instrumental, (with Grade VIII
or higher standing) Royal Conservatory of Toronto or School of Music,
University of Manitoba.
(9) Eugene Clyde Memorial Scholarship.......................$300.
For a student who is enrolled in a University course of study leading
to a Bachelor of Education.
Candidates will be selected on the basis of academic excellence,
good citizenship and leadership potential
(Mention Icelandic ancestry, if any).
For further information and application forms,
please write, phone or e-mail:
MRS. SHIRLEY MCCREEDY
31 CARNARVAN ROAD
WINNIPEG, MB R3J OX4
TEL: (204) 832-3091 E-MAIL: mccreedy@mts.net
Applications must be received by October 5, 2003
Argyle Transfer Ltd.
4
Specializing in livestock
transportation
Wally & Linda Finnbogason
Stonewall, MB
Tgr
Wally 467-8822 Mobile 981-1666
Daryl 322-5743 Mobile 981-5460
On a personal level, I was
very pleased with the acknowl-
edgment, both public and pri-
vate, of my contribution since
1997, as Director of
International Visits ... and
happy to hand on the leadership
to the very capable Joan
Ey olfson-Cadham.
Here’s to next year at Hecla!
Höldum áfram!

Gordon Reykdal, INL
Convention Director Laura
Sigmundson and a long, long
list of other organizers and out-
standing volunteers.
We said “thank you” to out-
going president Sigrid Johnson
for her outstanding three years
as president, and welcomed
new president Paul Westdal,
who worked with Ray Johnson
to put together the proposal for
Future Directions. Everyone
also acknowledged the dedicat-
ed work of Helga Malis, INL
Executive Secretary.
There were many sponsors
and we were all grateful for
their part in making this event
possible.
PHOTO BY ROBERT ÁSGEIRSSON
Harley Jónasson
Rennie, Connie Clark, Walter
Sopher, Jeff Kristjanson,
Shirley and Solli Sigurdson,
Honorary Consul-General
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