Selmar Johansen, 102

Selmar Johansen, former Hampton resident, passed away peacefully December 29, 2021 at his home in Roseville, CA. He was one month shy of his 103rd birthday. He was an active and involved man until the last few days of his life.

Selmar was born in Hamilton Township, Hampton, IA on February 1, 1919.  He worked on the family farm and attended Hampton schools where he met basketball player Sarah “Louva” Jackson.  They were married November 19, 1938 for 56 years until Louva’s death April 5, 1995.

He had a full life.  From creamery worker to USAAF flight instructor during World War II for the Army Air Corps.  From Hampton Bulldog track and football to Newton Ford Dealership owner, Sears merchant, New York Life agent and owner of Johansen Heating & Plumbing (Hampton Heating).  Selmar was a real estate broker in both California and Iowa.  He was a farmer and while doing so created two patents for the farrowing crate by age 30.  Selmar served on the board of directors of Krause Gentle Oil and often doubled as corporate pilot.  He was an avid golfer, snow skier, bocce player, water skier, ballroom dancer and roller coaster enthusiast.  However, his greatest passion was aviation.

Selmar began flying as a teenager as a barnstormer near Hampton.  After enlisting with the Army Air Corps, he went on to fly for American Airlines as captain for several years.  He later was involved in aircraft sales in California getting the name “Mr. Beechcraft.”  He was a sales manager for Cessna and eventually becoming vice president of sales for Rockwell International.  During his tenure there he became then Governor Ronald Reagan’s private pilot.  This relationship was solidified when Selmar brought Hampton Chronicle newspapers for him to read in the plane.  President Reagan told Selmar of his appreciation for those papers because Reagan began his career as a radio announcer in Iowa and was familiar with Hampton.  Selmar had many celebrity clients during his aviation career.  Upon his death, Selmar had in excess of 40,000 flight hours recorded in his flight log book.

Selmar is survived by three daughters.  Judy (Jim) Hackbarth of Roseville, CA, Donna (Dayle) Murray of Woodland, CA, and Sara Johansen of Hayward, CA, four grandchildren, Susan (Steve) Pibal of Lincoln, CA, Mike (Sandra) Hackbarth of Lincoln, CA, Dustin (Connie) Murray of Roseville, CA, Sarah Allison Mayo of Sparks, NV, great grandchildren Teagan and David Hackbarth, and Charlotte, Dane and Ellie Murray, and step great-grandchildren Aspen and Lindsey Pibal.  Selmar was 102 years apart in age with great grandchild Ellie and 100 years apart in age with great grandchild Dane.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 27 at Counsell Woodley Funeral Home, 306 Central Avenue East in Hampton with burial following.