John Butrovich

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John Butrovich Jr. (March 22, 1910 – June 3, 1997) was an American businessman and politician from Alaska. A Republican, he played a key role in Alaska’s move toward statehood and served in both the Alaska Territorial Senate and the Alaska State Senate.

Early life and work
Butrovich was born in a mining camp near Fairbanks, Alaska, to a Croatian American family. He finished Fairbanks High School in 1929, attended Washington State University, and later worked in the insurance business in Fairbanks. He married Grace Meggitt in 1936, and they had one daughter.

Political career
From 1944 to 1958, Butrovich served in the Alaska Territorial Senate as a Republican. He was the speaker of the delegation that urged President Eisenhower to sign the Alaska Statehood Act, which helped Alaska become a state in 1959. In 1958, he ran for Governor of Alaska as the Republican nominee but was defeated by Bill Egan (about 60% to 40%).

He then served in the Alaska State Senate from 1963 to 1979. In 1980, he was named Alaskan of the Year and received an honorary degree from the University of Alaska. The Butrovich Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which runs the statewide administration, is named in his honor.

Death and legacy
Butrovich died in Fairbanks after a long illness at the age of 87. He is remembered for his contributions to Alaska’s statehood and its government.