John Arthur Love (November 29, 1916 – January 21, 2002) was an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.
John Love
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|---|---|
 | |
| Director of the Energy Policy Office | |
| In office July 16, 1973 – December 4, 1973 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Charles DiBona (National Energy Office) |
| Succeeded by | William Simon (Federal Energy Office) |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office August 31, 1969 – August 9, 1970 | |
| Preceded by | Buford Ellington |
| Succeeded by | Warren Hearnes |
| 36th Governor of Colorado | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – July 16, 1973 | |
| Lieutenant | Robert Knous Mark Hogan John Vanderhoof |
| Preceded by | Stephen McNichols |
| Succeeded by | John Vanderhoof |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Arthur Love (1916-11-29)November 29, 1916 near Gibson City, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 2002(2002-01-21) (aged 85) Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ann Daniels |
| Children | 2 (including Rebecca) |
| Education | University of Denver (BA, LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
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John Arthur Love was born on a farm near Gibson City, Illinois, on November 29, 1916.[1] At age five, John Love moved with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Love received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1938 and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Denver School of Law in 1941.
Love served as a U.S. Navy pilot in World War II for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Love started a law practice in Colorado Springs after the war.
John Love married Ann Daniels in 1942 and the couple had three children, Dan, Andrew and Rebecca. Rebecca grew up to serve as a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court from 1995 to 2006. Andrew Love served 37 years in the US Air Force and retired in 2004 as a Major General.
In 1962, Love defeated incumbent Colorado Governor Stephen McNichols.
In 1967, Love signed the first liberalized abortion bill in the United States into law.[2]
In 1973, John Love resigned the governorship to become the nation's first Director of the Office of Energy Policy (nicknamed the "Energy Czar") in the administration of U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. Lieutenant Governor John D. Vanderhoof assumed the office of Governor upon Governor Love's resignation. Love resigned as Director after five months due to the political turmoil in the final days of the Nixon Administration. Historian Daniel Yergin asserts Love was fired by Richard Nixon in favor of William Simon due to the energy crisis created in October 1973 by the Arab oil embargo.[3]
Love died in Colorado on January 21, 2002, at the age of 85.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee for Governor of Colorado 1962, 1966, 1970 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Republican Governors Association 1966–1967 |
Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Colorado 1963–1973 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the National Governors Association 1969–1970 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Charles DiBona as Director of the National Energy Office |
Director of the Energy Policy Office 1973 |
Succeeded by as Director of the Federal Energy Office |