Gerald Samuel Johnston

Gerald Samuel Johnston, M.D., Ph.D., Ret. Colonel US Army, of Bethesda, Maryland died on April 5, 2025 at the age of 94. Born August 1930 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania he was a 1947 graduate of Ferndale High School, a 1952 Bachelor of Science graduate and a 1956 School of Medicine graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. In June of 1956 he married the former Dorothy Jones of Pittsburgh and began his internship as a lieutenant at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. From 1961-1962, while stationed in Seoul, Korea, he served as Chief of Medicine and Commanding Officer at the 43rd Surgical Hospital. After returning from Korea, he entered the relatively new field of Nuclear Medicine. He was Chief of Nuclear Medicine from 1963-1969 where he treated President Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur at Walter Reed Hospital. In 1965 he traveled to South Africa to study heat stroke in the diamond mine workers and in 1967 he returned to participate in kidney preservation research through transplant. In 1969 he received the Legion of Merit Award for “exceptionally meritorious service as Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department.” He was considered an expert in his field, both national and internationally, aware of current trends in the rapidly multiplying uses of radioactive isotopes in human medicine. He traveled the world giving talks om his profession, authoring two books and contributing to over 250 articles. In 1970 he entered the Public Health Service at NIH in Bethesda, MD. Serving as Chief of Nuclear Medicine from 1971-1982. In 1982 he retired from service and went on to become Professor of Medicine, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland until 1993. He then became Chairman, Department of Nuclear Medicine, at Washington Hospital Center from 1993-1999. In 1999 he became Founder, Nuclear Medicine Service, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania. Honors include Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine; Diplomate American Board of Nuclear Medicine; listed in Leaders in American Science; member American Association of University Professors; Society of Nuclear Medicine; American Medical Association; President of the American College of Nuclear Medicine 2002-2003. Dr. Johnston is preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years Dorothy, his daughter Amy Tapparo (Dave), parents Fleurence and Lorna Johnston, and his sisters Anita Anderson and Shirley Johnston. Dr. Johnston is survived by his children Joy Biciocchi (Paul), Jill Verna (Mark), Jana Moritzkat (Mike), Gerald Johnston, Jr. (Jane), Douglas Johnston (Kim), 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He leaves behind two sisters; Kathy Boyd of Yuma, AZ and Linda Johnston of Las Vegas, NV. In his retirement years he enjoyed spending time with his family in Bethesda, the Eastern Shore, and Bethany Beach. DE. Throughout his life he returned home to Johnstown to attend his beloved Ferndale and University of Pitt reunions. Dr. Johnston will be buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.