Richard D. Johnson

Richard D. Johnson died on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Kingsway Nursing Home in Schenectady, NY.

He was born June 10 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio the son of Robert and Emma (Lindhorst) Johnson. He was predeceased by his wife Harriett in 2020. He attended public school in Cleveland where he met his bride to be and lifelong companion Harriett.

Richard served briefly in the Navy before going to Yale where he majored in American Studies. He received his Master’s degree at the University of Chicago and then was drafted into the army and served with the Third infantry division in Korea. After discharge in 1954, he earned his master’s degree as a librarian.

He married Harriett in 1956 and lived in Chicago while he finished his degree. From 1957 -1973 they lived in California where he worked for Stanford University and the Claremont colleges. They had a daughter Ruth who was born in 1963 and a son, Royce born in 1964. In 1973 they moved to Oneonta where Richard was a director of the library at SUNY Oneonta until he retired in 1994.  Richard served his community and his church volunteering in many ways including Oneonta Historical society and Glimmerglass Festival. During his life he enjoyed learning and helping others to publish books and journal articles and was an avid reader and writer. The couple moved to the Heritage at the Plains in July 2019 and met many friends who gathered faithfully each day at three o clock to walk around the complex.

Richard is survived by his daughter Ruth Borra, his son, Royce E Johnson and his grandsons Michael Borra, Matthew Johnson, Stephen Johnson and Eric Johnson.

A service in his memory at First Presbyterian Church will be scheduled at a future date. Gifts in his memory may be made to the Glimmerglass Opera and First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.