Milton Zaagman (March 28, 1926 – February 3, 2012) was a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

member of the

Michigan Senate The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. Along with the Michigan House of Representatives, it composes the state legislature, which has powers, roles and duties defined by Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, ado ...

from 1963 through 1974 who was its majority leader in his final year.

Early life

A native of Grand Rapids, Zaagman attended

Calvin College Calvin University, formerly Calvin College, is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed (Calvinist) ...

and earned a degree in

mortuary science Mortuary science is the study of deceased bodies through mortuary work. The term is most often applied to a college curriculum in the United States that prepares a student for a career as a mortician or funeral director. Many also study embalmin ...

from

Wayne State University Wayne State University (WSU) is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan. It is Michigan's third-largest university. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 350 programs to nearly 25,000 ...

. He served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. After the war, he married Martha Haverkamp and served three terms on the Kent County board of supervisors. Zaagman was also a director of the Kent County Library.

Senate career

After two unsuccessful campaigns for the state House, Zaagman won election to the Senate in 1962 and served four terms. During his tenure, the Legislature endeavored to implement the state's new constitution. Zaagman was elected president ''pro tempore'' in 1971, and majority leader in 1974. He was defeated for re-election in 1974 by John Otterbacher. That year, Zaagman had also run unsuccessfully to fill the vacancy in Congress caused by

Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. ( ; born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913December 26, 2006) was an American politician who served as the 38th president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He was the only president never to have been elected ...

's elevation to the vice presidency.

Later life

When Zaagman left the Senate, he pursued a career in lobbying. Zaagman died on February 3, 2012, aged 85.The Grand Rapids Press
Milton Zaagman Obituary
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaagman, Milton Republican Party Michigan state senators 1926 births 2012 deaths United States Navy personnel of World War II 20th-century American politicians Politicians from Grand Rapids, Michigan Calvin University alumni Wayne State University alumni