6 In memoriam: Stanley L. Johnson, 1920-2011 meritus Professor of English Stanley L. Johnson died in Portland July 27, 2011 after a long illness. Stanley was born in Garland, Utah Oct. 6, 1920, the first of seven children of Elwood L. and Ida Hansen Johnson. Four sisters and a brother survive him. A memorial service attended by local friends and colleagues was held in Portland at his residence, Calaroga Terrace, on July 29. A funeral service was held in Brigham City, Utah on Aug. 1. Stanley attended Weber State College (1938-1940) and the University of Utah Stan Johnson in 1970 (1940-1942), earning a BA degree in English. After being drafted into the army in 1942, he served in the South Pacific and Japan before demobilization in December 1945. He pursued graduate studies in English at the University of Southern California from 1946 until 1950 and then came to Vanport Extension Center as an instructor in English. While teaching in Oregon he finished requirements for a PhD degree, which was awarded in 1955. As a gifted classroom teacher, Stan attracted large numbers of students to his literature and composition courses at Vanport and later at Portland State when it moved to its Park Blocks location. He had begun reading mystery and detective stories in elementary school, and this interest persisted into his professorial career as a specialist in 20th century literature. For a decade he taught a highly popular course on detective fiction with special emphasis on Sherlock Holmes. Professor Johnson also offered very popular literature courses dealing with drama, and in 1958 he and two colleagues edited a textbook, The Dramatic Experience (Prentice-Hall, 1958), which preceded their textbook publication The Play and the Reader (Prentice-Hall, 1967). In the 1950s the Division of Continuing Education engaged his services to offer 20th century literature courses in Astoria and The Dalles. While in high school, Stan wrote a weekly contribution, “Columneandering,” for the local newspaper, The Garland Times, and continued to do so for approximately 20 years. Perhaps that experience sparked his interest in presenting ideas to a popular audience. Over the years, he followed a deep-seated interest in musical performance and served on the boards of directors for the Portland Opera Guild and the Musical Theatre Company. He attended most of the local performance arts productions. Stanley was an active RAPS member and was involved as well as with the Senior Studies Institute (SSI), an organization sponsored by Portland Community College to present educational and public interest programs for retirees and senior citizens. He was a longtime active member of the Thomas Wolfe and Sherlock Holmes Societies. For his service to these and other groups, in 2001 RAPS accorded him a community service recognition award. Professor Stanley Johnson contributed significantly to this institution’s mission to meet the public education needs of the Portland metropolitan community. His popularity as a speaker prompted frequent requests to present lectures to cultural and service organizations. His service to the university community contributed significantly to our academic mission. Those of us who knew and interacted with him will miss his presence at lectures and performances. Donations in his memory may be made to the University of Utah. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History Rudi Nussbaum . . . continued from page 5 The University owes a debt of gratitude to Professor Nussbaum for his intellectual achievements and contributions to its academic mission. Our organization extends its heartfelt sympathies to Laureen as well as to their sons Ralph (Carol) and Fred (Nan) and grandchildren Robin, Alix, Devin, Kalen, and greatgranddaughter, Rhylin. The Nussbaums’ daughter Elka preceded Rudi in death. The family suggests that gifts in Rudi’s honor be made to any of these organizations: Mercy Corps International, www.mercycorps.org Physicians for Social Responsibility-Oregon, www.psr.org/chapters/oregon Right Livelihood Award Foundation, www.rightlivelihood.org --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History, with assistance from Emeritus Professor of Physics, Arnold D. Pickar E
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