Neal Frederick Johnson

1934-2018

Neal Johnson died peacefully on Dec. 4, 2018 at Friendship Village, Dublin, OH. He was born May 1, 1934 in Willmar, Minnesota to the late Malcolm & Helen Johnson. Neal was a resident of Forest Park West for 50 years. He was the best father, first and foremost, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He never worked a day in his life because his work was his hobby and his hobby was his work; he imparted this to his children. He was proud to be a Professor of Psychology, educator, researcher, and avid Buckeyes fan at The Ohio State University for 47 years. He was the first of 3 generations (so far) of Eagle Scouts. Contrary to his frugal nature, he would help anyone and contributed to countless local and national charities and, when he didn’t know any better, several grifters. Neal was a member of New Hope Church in Powell, OH. His avocations included woodworking, fencing, waterskiing, downhill skiing, eating ice cream, and camping (he didn’t like to pay for hotels). Professional life: BA & PhD 1961 from Univ. of Minnesota; Professor Emeritus OSU (1961 – present); visiting prof. Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley (’65, ’74, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’83). Consulting and Associate Editor of, and contributor to, numerous Experimental Psychology Journals related to memory, learning, verbal learning, and cognition throughout his career. Research Scholar Tozar Foundation ’59; grantee – US Office of Education, Natl. Institute of Health, Natl. Science Foundation. He was a well-known and universally respected experimental psychologist who served in many leadership roles including President of the Midwestern Psych association (1987), the Psychonomics Society (1999) and for the General Psychology (1995) and Experimental Psychology Divisions (1996) of the American Psychological Association, Council of Scientific Society Presidents (’96-’00), American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science (Chair. Psych. Div. ’02-‘05). He was a mentor to several generations of cognitive psychologists and his research in the areas of memory and language had significant impact on the field. Committee member Boy Scouts of America troop 312 (’74—’81). Family: In addition to his parents, Neal was preceded in death by his sisters Marilyn Grayless (Springfield, MO) and Kathy Johnson (Willmar, MN); his wife Kathleen Johnson (d.2000), and his daughter Margaret (Penny Johnson) Taylor (d.1999). He is survived and deeply loved by his children Neal (Ric) and his wife Lynne Johnson (Dublin, OH), Libby Pace (Los Angeles, CA), Michael Johnson (Las Vegas, NV) and son-in-law Michael (w. Carmen) Taylor (San Diego, CA); and his beloved grandchildren Neal Johnson III, Grace Johnson, Christopher Taylor, Alexander Taylor, and Adrianna Long. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy and Girl Scouts of America, American Indian College Fund, or Alzheimer’s Foundation. A Celebration of Life will be announced and held at The Ohio State Univ. Faculty Club for Neal in early 2019.