John A. Love

John Arthur Love was an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.

Early life and education

Love was born on a farm near Gibson City, Illinois, on November 29, 1916. At age five, he moved with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1938 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Denver School of Law in 1941.
He served as a U.S. Navy pilot in World War II for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, Love started a law practice in Colorado Springs.

Political career

In 1962, Love defeated incumbent Colorado Governor Stephen McNichols, a Democrat. Love was re-elected governor in 1966 and 1970. Regarded as a moderate, Love signed a bill legalizing abortion in 1967.
In 1973, Love resigned the governorship to become the nation's first Director of the Office of Energy Policy in the administration of U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. Lieutenant Governor John D. Vanderhoof assumed the office of governor upon Love's resignation. After only five months as Energy Czar, Love resigned due to the political turmoil in the final days of the Nixon Administration. Historian Daniel Yergin asserts Love was forced to resign by Nixon in favor of William E. Simon due to the energy crisis created in October 1973 by the Arab oil embargo.

Personal life

Love married Ann Daniels in 1942. They had three children: Dan, Andrew and Rebecca.
Love died of pulmonary failure on January 21, 2002, at the age of 85 in Aurora.