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SALT LAKE CITY — Long-serving former state senator Karl G. Swan died on Friday, days before what would have been his 91st birthday, family members said.
Swan served in the Legislature for 20 years, representing residents in Tooele, Salt Lake, Utah and Juab counties. He served in the Senate between 1974 and 1978, a time when his family notes members of the Democratic Party controlled the Senate. During that time, he led the Higher Education Subcommittee.
Swan also served as Senate minority whip between 1980 and 1984, according to his family.
"A vocal advocate for public and higher education, he also wielded influence in areas as diverse as parks and recreation and revenue and taxation. During the flood years of the early 1980s, he led the fight to breach the Southern Pacific Causeway across the Great Salt Lake in order to relieve pressure on the south end of the lake," family members said in a statement, a goal that was ultimately reached.
Swan retired from the Utah Legislature in 1990.
His funeral will be held on Friday.
