Lowell Swenson, decorated WW II aviator, snowmobile entrepreneur, and airline founder died on Thursday, October 16 in Bemidji, Minnesota, at the age of 86. He is best known in this industry for helping found a major regional airline – Mesaba Airlines – when he helped sons Rob and Phil buy Mesaba Airlines in 1978, and turned the small Grand Rapids, Minn., business into a growing regional airline.
A decorated B-24 bomber pilot in World War II, Swenson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor. Shortly after enrolling at the University of North Dakota, Swenson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. As squadron leader, he was credited with fifty B24 bomber missions in the European Theater. He received numerous other medals.
Upon returning from the war, Lowell finished college at the University of Minnesota where he graduated with an accounting degree in 1947. That same year, he married Marjorie Evelyn Hulme. He began his professional career as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Anderson, and in 1959, Lowell moved his family to Thief River Falls to become the general manager of an electrical manufacturing business.
In 1965, Lowell put everything he owned on the line and bought the fledgling snowmobile company Arctic Enterprises. Under his leadership as chair, president, and CEO, Arctic Cat became a publicly-held, worldwide leader in the growing snowmobile industry. He sold his controlling interest in the original company in 1978 and later came back as an investor and served as chairman for several years of the present day Arctic Cat.
Lowell is survived by four sons: David Swenson of Bemidji, MN; Alan Swenson of Cody, WY; Robert Swenson of Anchorage, AK; Philip Swenson of Grand Rapids, MN; and nine grandchildren. Memorial funds will be given to the Lowell & Marge Swenson Scholarship Fund at the Thief River Falls Education Foundation. Memorial cards may be mailed to the Swenson Family, 8017 Crowne Hills Ct. NE, Bemidji, MN, 56601