19 Apr 1918 – 25 Feb 2006
Husband of Genevieve Porter
Ralph M Johnson, 87, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2006, at his home. He was born April 19,1918, in Ririe, Idaho, the son of Ralph Melvin Johnson and Millie Gertrude Marler. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in Rigby, Idaho.
He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Utah State University in 1940, and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin in 1947 and 1948, respectively. He was a fellow of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and a fellow of the university.
He served on active duty with the U.S. Army Intelligence Department as a major, in administration and artillery including time spent as an intelligence officer in the Pentagon, from 1941 to 1946. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi and Gamma Eigma Delta honor societies, American Society of Biological Chemists and American Institute of Nutrition.
He had published at least 70 papers in biochemical and nutrition journals. As a student at Utah State University, he was awarded the Johannsen and Class of 1937 Scholarships. He was a member of Blue Key and cadet colonel of the ROTC detachment in 1939 -40.
While at USU he met and married Genevieve Porter, of Logan, on Aug. 8,1940, in the Logan LDS Temple. They had three children. He has had a career as an administrator and researcher for the National Institutes of Health, University of Wisconsin, Detroit Institute of Cancer Research and Wayne State University.
In 1959, he joined the faculty of Ohio State University. His positions included research professor and director, research laboratories of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology; professor of physiological chemistry and pharmacology; professor of biochemistry, and director of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology; and later, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, which had some 16,000 students enrolled. In 1968, he became dean of the College of Science at USU until his retirement in 1994. He was instrumental in the group that brought the initial space program to USU.
His life was filled with many honors and achievements. His Eagle Scout award, given to him by his grandfather was one of his most prized achievements.
Ralph was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many leadership positions. While in Detroit he served in the branch presidency with George Romney, followed by an appointment as bishop of the Pontiac Ward for nine years. His service in Columbus, Ohio included four years in the district and stake presidency and five years as stake president.
While dean at USU he served on the Cache Stake High Council and for eight years was executive secretary in the North Logan Stake. Later he was Sunday school president and teacher in the high priests in the North Logan 2nd Ward.
Upon his retirement he and his wife, Genevieve, were called as president and matron of the Logan LDS Temple. They served for three years. After that they served a mission in Switzerland. Upon returning to Logan he served as a temple sealer for an additional seven years. During this time Genevieve passed away. On Dec. 11, 1993, he married Gwendolyn Wilson Batey in the Logan LDS Temple.
One of the hobbies that gave him both challenge and satisfaction was growing Japanese Bonsai. The patience and skills he learned in training these small trees was reflected in the way he taught those around him.
Ralph loved fly fishing and found great pleasure in spending an afternoon chasing trout on the Onieda narrows with his son. He was an avid photographer, having taken and developed thousands of black and white pictures. Shared interest in photography led to his and Gwen’s courtship. Gwen’s eye for color photography complimented Ralph’s black and white skills.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Gwen; daughter, Karen (Warren) Babcock; Robert Christian; Wilford Preece (Karlette), and David (Annette) Batey; 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, March 4, in the North Logan 2nd Ward chapel, 1105 E. 2100 North. Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center, and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah
