Richard Johnson

Dr. Richard Anders Johnson of Ann Arbor passed away on June 28, 2020 at age 78. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI on August 31, 1941, the son of Burt and Lorraine (Terrell) Johnson. He graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School in 1959, earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Michigan in 1967 and a Masters degree in Orthodontics in 1973. He served in the US Army dental corps for 3 years, and upon returning to Ann Arbor began a career of private practice and teaching at the University. During his over 30 years in dental education, he served in several roles, including director of the graduate orthodontic clinic, director of the program for pediatric dental residents, coordinator of the orthodontic curriculum for dental students and the instructional faculty teaching program. He was honored to be appointed to numerous UM Dental School and University committees and is a past president of the Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honorary society. He was awarded Emeritus status by the UM Regents in May 2005. Rich is survived by his wife of his 52 years, Susan (Steger) Johnson of Ann Arbor, daughters Dr. Kristin E. Johnson (Kelly) of Ann Arbor and Britt A. Johnson of Chicago, IL, and by a brother Dr. Dale E. (Alice) Johnson of Port Sheldon, MI and Oakland, CA, two nephews Robert and Michael Steger, a niece Marcy (Giovanni) Martinez, and two grand nieces. Rich was a kind soul with a loving heart and had a curious mind that led to a life full of learning, fun and adventure. Books and research were a big part of his life, and he was always happy to be on a beach swimming, playing golf and teasing little fish with handmade lures. He enjoyed being a teacher, mentor and friend to his students and many maintained contact with him over the years. He said teaching always kept him young - he had to be on his toes, but it was the relationships with students and the learning he instilled that made him such an influential educator. His greatest passion was his family, and he spent countless hours enjoying being together, watching, learning, exploring and encouraging his daughters to be Wolverine fans. He taught his daughters "The Victors" and "Go Blue" practically before they walked. Rich enjoyed listening to his favorite music, singing along and dancing with anyone willing to join him. He was a travel enthusiast, with many family trips to Hawaii, Europe, Northern Michigan and beyond and usually left something behind so he could return. Since retirement, he especially loved traveling with Susan to Northern California, cruising the southern seas, and making trips to Sweden for the cousins reunions that were a highlight of his later years. A memorial will be held later this summer or early fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Richard A. Johnson Endowed Graduate Orthodontic Residents Scholarship Fund at the UM School of Dentistry, or to the Michael J. Fox institute for Parkinson's disease research.