John Eric Havelock

Jul 30, 1932 -

Aug 31, 2021

John Eric Havelock passed at home in peace and comfort, surrounded by his family, on Aug. 31, 2021. A devoted Alaska scholar, statesman and activist since 1959, John was instrumental in shaping and influencing Alaska policy, legislation, legal education and political discourse throughout his wide-ranging legal career. His weekly Anchorage newspaper column ran over 20 years and revealed the depth of his convictions and his love for Alaska and all Alaskans, provoking meaningful debate through the last of his years.

Born on July 30, 1932, in Toronto, Canada, where he spent his early years, John's schooling came from Phillips Academy at Andover and Harvard University as well as a tour serving as a MP in the U.S. Army. Graduating with the Harvard Law class of 1959, he came to Alaska and was responsible for staffing the newly created department of law, hiring young, bright attorneys to help craft the newly formed state. John then served as a White House Fellow, special assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., under the Johnson Administration, specializing in international affairs promoting an urban-rural balance toward development. Returning to Alaska in 1970, he was appointed Attorney General under Governor Bill Egan, where he represented the state in the negotiations and political compromise that became the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act advocating against a reservation system instead creating corporations that continue to be an important part of Alaska today. He was involved with developing and implementing Alaska's first tax structure for oil companies developing Prudhoe Bay, and represented the state's interests leading to the passage of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act.

Havelock was implemental in developing Alaska's limited entry system protecting local fish stocks from overharvest by creating a model that is now used worldwide. He authored the privacy clause in the state constitution providing a unique and inviolable right to privacy for all Alaskans. John then taught at the University of Alaska, where he founded the Criminal Justice Center at UAA and developed UAA's legal studies program. Returning to private practice, he continued to be an advocate for Alaskans serving on the Exxon Valdez Oil spill commission authoring the Alaska Oil Spill Commission Response Report.

A tireless advocate for the betterment of society, he also did volunteer work with Alaska Youth Advocates, STAR, Alaska World Affairs Council and many other nonprofits in Alaska. He continued his efforts to inform the public on ways to make Alaska a better place for Alaskans. His last public performance can be seen at akcommonground.org.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eric Havelock and Ellen Parkinson; and son, Brian. He is survived by his loving wife, Mona; sister, Joan (Joanna Sutcliffe, Emily Monson); brother, Ronald (Alice Fackre, Laura Campbell); his children from previous marriages, Eric (Kathy), Scott (Rayna), Bruce (Kiki) and Jennifer (Jim Bachmeier); as well as grandchildren, Ben, Heather, Ellis, Nicholas (Chase), Dean, Henry and Kaia; and stepchildren, Kate (Annette) and Matt (Gretchen, Ian, Heidi) McKee and Nathan Johnson. He will be remembered fondly by many more who were impacted by his kindness and enjoyed his fatherly like benevolence.

His memorial celebration will be scheduled and announced in the coming months as weather conditions permit.