HR0594 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0594 LRB102 21995 LAW 31123 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Richard M. "Dick" Johnson, Ph.D., of Chicago, who passed away on January 7, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 31, 1934; he received his bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio; he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1961; he earned his master's degree from American University and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was professor emeritus of Political Science, and his research interests included American politics and government, urban politics, and political behavior; he served in a variety of academic and administrative leadership positions over three decades at the University of Illinois at Chicago before retiring in August 2000; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson began his career in academia as an assistant and associate professor of Political Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) before coming to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he was hired as professor and head of Political Science in 1969; he was associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 1972 to 1974 and acting dean from 1973 to 1974; he served as associate vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1976 to 1977, acting vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1977 to 1978, and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1978 to 1986; he was chair of Political Science from 1987 to 1991; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson worked on civic education and programs focused on democracy and economic and social development in countries around the world through Heartland International, a nonprofit organization established by his wife, Karen Egerer; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson and his wife established the Professor Richard M. Johnson and Karen A. Egerer LAS Study Abroad Scholarship at the University of Illinois at Chicago in support of students majoring in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and hoping to participate in study abroad programs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was a warm and kind man who was willing to share his knowledge and perspective with those willing to listen and learn from him; he had a wry sense of humor, often coupled with a trademark twinkle in his eye; he was passionate about his academic life and the University of Illinois at Chicago; he loved sailing and traveling, and he and his wife enjoyed many adventures together; he was a devoted husband to Karen, and they cultivated a wide circle of friends who loved him dearly; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Dr. Johnson was survived by his wife, Karen A. Egerer; his daughters, Kathleen Johnson (Jim Koopman) and Deborah Johnson Bousquet (Gilles Bousquet); his stepson, Paul Minnice; his grandchildren, Michael (Danielle Grotjahn), Natalie, Daniel, and Zachary; and his brother, Robert (Betsy Johnson); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard M. "Dick" Johnson, Ph.D., and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Johnson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.