Ralph M Johnson

Ralph M Johnson, 87 passed away at his home Sunday,
February 25,2006.
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 bachelors degree in chemistry at Utah
State University in 1940, and earned masters and
doctors 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
1941-1946. 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, in the Logan Temple on August
8,1940. They had 3 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 Latterday 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 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 December 11, 1993
he married Gwendolyn Wilson Batey in the Logan 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
spend 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 4,2006 in the North Logan 2nd Ward chapel
located at 1105 E. 2100 N. Family and friends may call
on Friday evening at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E.
Center St. from 6-8p.m., and at the church on Saturday
morning from 10:30 - 11 :30 prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
Condolences may be extended to the family by going to
www.allenmortuaries.net