Geneseo: At age 60, David passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Geneseo on Friday, October 1, 2021. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota to Wallace and Arlene Johnson where he graduated from Biwabik High School. David received his B.S. in Chemistry from Hamline University and then obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Montana State University. He spent 30 years teaching and mentoring hundreds of students as an organic chemistry professor at SUNY~Geneseo. He loved developing long-lasting relationships with many of his students over the years.
David enjoyed many things in life. He grew up in Northern Minnesota where he spent most of his time outdoors. This continued into early adulthood in Montana where he developed interests in hiking, skiing, and cycling. As an adult, he continued to value spending time in nature, especially in Stonybrook and Letchworth State Parks. He also enjoyed his tennis club in Geneseo, spending many hours on the courts each week. His greatest passion, however, was his family. He was actively involved in his childrens’ lives; nothing brought more joy to David than their successes and accomplishments.
Survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Andrea Johnson, his children – Samuel and Lydia Johnson, his parents – Wallace and Arlene Johnson, his sister – Judith Stecker, his nieces and nephews – Jenny Cross, Jeremy Stecker, Tanya Rabideaux, Lindsay Northcutt, his mother and father-in-law – Marvin and Glenda Northcutt, along with his brother and sister-in-law – Marv and Jen Northcutt. He was predeceased by his brother, Doug Johnson.
Friends and family are invited to call from 4-5:30PM on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 21 Big Tree Street in Livonia, NY, where David’s memorial service will take place immediately following calling hours at 5:30PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either: Doctors without Borders, 40 Rector St., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10006 or to: Geneseo Groveland Food Pantry, 31 Center St, Geneseo, NY 14454. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.
Best colleague I ever had. And I mean it. David helped me and my teaching so much. I continue to take those lessons with me today.
Wally/Arlene and extended family,We were saddened to hear of David’s passing. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you in the coming days, months and years.
Sincerely,Sheila and Dan
Sorry for the loss of David. I know his family will miss him greatly.
So very sorry for your lose, thinking of you all!!
When my friends and I look back on our time at Geneseo we have such great memories of the time we spent with Dave. He was more than a professor to us, he was part of our group–joining us for softball/football/golf/department parties or just hanging out in Greene. I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do summer research with him in 1994. He was a great teacher–so knowledgeable and with a great sense of humor–I am forever be grateful for the mentorship he provided me. In the years since graduation, Dave was our connection to Geneseo Chemistry–I am so glad to have had the opportunity to come back and reconnect with him over the years. My heartfelt sympathy for your loss–Dave will be greatly missed.
Andrea, I’m so sad to hear of David’s passing. I always enjoyed running into him on campus and loved his understated Minnesotan approach to life. I have so many fond memories of the days when we were all living at Valley View.
Andrea, and family: We are sorry for the loss of your husband and father. David seems highly thought of by his friends and the community, May you find peace and comfort.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of David’s passing. I know he is seated at God’s side and we’ll all see him again someday. My condolences are go out to all of you: Wally and Arlene, Judy, Andrea, Sam and Lydia.
David was a big part of my life growing up, and that continued through college and beyond. May God bless him. I am so fortunate to have spent a day in the boat fishing with him and Doc a couple of years ago on Vermilion. I thought we’d get to do it again, but God had other plans. The world lost a good man.
I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss and a huge loss to the SUNY Geneseo chemistry department. Dr Johnson was so kind to the students and had a wonderful smile. He was extremely patient with us. Your family is in my thoughts!
He was taken away from us way to young.Sara
Class of 2003
Andrea, I am so very sorry to learn about the loss of your husband. Although I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting him, it’s obvious that he was a wonderful, dedicated and caring man.May God hold you and your family in the palm of His hand and help your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
David meant many things to many different people . To our family …. he was first …Andrea’s husband supporting her and loving her meals! Sam and Lydia’s Dad…. always on the sidelines of their games cheering and.at the many school events supporting them always. David soon became our good friend . A fun guy to hang with… dine with and share beverages with….. to share many events , laughs and memories through the year with . David was a person we feel honored to have known , a genuine person who displayed resilience , integrity and strength …. while still being humble . Simply a good man who made life better . You will be missed David , by the Geneseo community and so many of us that you inspired . Thank you for your friendship. May comfort and peace go beyond understanding for you Andrea , Sam and Lydia
Andrea, I am so sorry for your loss of your husband. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and love to you.
I am so sorry for your loss. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family
So very sorry for the loss of David. He was a great classmate and friend.
So very sorry for the loss of David. So many memories I have from growing up next door. RIP David!
This saddled me lots of memories with David such a wonderful person he was always happy could always make me laugh even if I was down he will be missed my thoughts and prayers are with the family hugs to all so very sorry classmate 1980 Tammie Riendeau
We are so sorry for your loss. David was always such a kind person. We are holding you close in thought and prayer. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sending love from Minnesota to Andrea, Sam and Lydia.
Lorrie Scott Faith Mitch and Lauren Bradt
Dave and I became good friends playing (mostly) doubles tennis over the years on the Geneseo college courts. We especially enjoyed playing together on the same side, sometimes mildly teasing each other. We also had collegial conversations about life in general–our teaching and students, family, profession, aging, etc. I was deeply impressed by his teaching of Organic Chemistry, a subject or course that in my undergrad days my pre-med college friends dreaded. His passing at 60 is so unfair! Especially when I know he was looking forward to his retirement years. Dave was a wonderful–and wonderfully kind and thoughtful–person, and I will miss him dearly–as will all the tennis players on the Geneseo college courts. RIP, David.
I will genuinely miss David’s kind heart, subtle and elegant humor and infectious smile. I fondly remember many wonderful dinner parties with Dave and Andrea at the Geiger’s. I am very sad to hear of his passing.
Our thoughts are with you Andrea.Susan and Stephen
God needed one more shining star to light the evening sky. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Wonderful memories growing up together in Biwabik. What a loss of a wonderful guy! So sorry!
Andrea,
So sorry to hear your husband David passed.It seems that he was a very kind and good person.
Hope you’re kids are doing ok.
So sorry to hear about David. I went to school with him from 1st grade through 8th grade before I moved away. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorry to hear of David’s passing.
Very few people have the sincere characteristics of a gentleman as David did. Our families enjoyed so many wonderful times. Those memories are cherished. Thoughts and prayers to his strong family, Andrea, Sam and Lyd.
We are so sorry Andrea. David was an excellent person. Love and peace from the Robertson’s.