HR0594LRB102 21995 LAW 31123 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Richard
4M. "Dick" Johnson, Ph.D., of Chicago, who passed away on
5January 7, 2020; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on
7October 31, 1934; he received his bachelor's degree from Miami
8University of Ohio; he served as a commissioned officer in the
9U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1961; he earned his master's degree from
10American University and his doctoral degree from the
11University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was professor emeritus of Political
13Science, and his research interests included American politics
14and government, urban politics, and political behavior; he
15served in a variety of academic and administrative leadership
16positions over three decades at the University of Illinois at
17Chicago before retiring in August 2000; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson began his career in academia as an
19assistant and associate professor of Political Science at the
20State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) before
21coming to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he was
22hired as professor and head of Political Science in 1969; he

 

 

HR0594- 2 -LRB102 21995 LAW 31123 r

1was associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2from 1972 to 1974 and acting dean from 1973 to 1974; he served
3as associate vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1976 to
41977, acting vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1977 to
51978, and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1978 to
61986; he was chair of Political Science from 1987 to 1991; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson worked on civic education and
8programs focused on democracy and economic and social
9development in countries around the world through Heartland
10International, a nonprofit organization established by his
11wife, Karen Egerer; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson and his wife established the
13Professor Richard M. Johnson and Karen A. Egerer LAS Study
14Abroad Scholarship at the University of Illinois at Chicago in
15support of students majoring in the College of Liberal Arts
16and Sciences and hoping to participate in study abroad
17programs; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was a warm and kind man who was
19willing to share his knowledge and perspective with those
20willing to listen and learn from him; he had a wry sense of
21humor, often coupled with a trademark twinkle in his eye; he
22was passionate about his academic life and the University of
23Illinois at Chicago; he loved sailing and traveling, and he

 

 

HR0594- 3 -LRB102 21995 LAW 31123 r

1and his wife enjoyed many adventures together; he was a
2devoted husband to Karen, and they cultivated a wide circle of
3friends who loved him dearly; and
 
4    WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Dr. Johnson was
5survived by his wife, Karen A. Egerer; his daughters, Kathleen
6Johnson (Jim Koopman) and Deborah Johnson Bousquet (Gilles
7Bousquet); his stepson, Paul Minnice; his grandchildren,
8Michael (Danielle Grotjahn), Natalie, Daniel, and Zachary; and
9his brother, Robert (Betsy Johnson); therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12we mourn the passing of Richard M. "Dick" Johnson, Ph.D., and
13extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
14who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Dr. Johnson as an expression of our
17deepest sympathy.