Geomechanics Research Group Memorial-Dr. Jih-Hao Hung

Dr. Arvid M. Johnson Dr. Arvid M. Johnson


Arvid M. Johnson, Age 79 passed away Friday, May 11, 2018 in Indianapolis IN.	Born August 12,1938, in Stevenson, Washington, to Alfred M. and Ethel M. Johnson, Arvid was a 1956 graduate of Wy’East High School in Odell, Oregon. He married his high school sweetheart Deanna Dunn on August 30, 1958. She survives. Arvid received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Oregon and then went on to Penn State University to get his Ph.D. After his schooling, Arvid and Deanna moved to Palo Alto, California, where Arvid was a professor of Geology at Stanford University.
While in California, they added four children to their family. In 1978, Arvid and his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was professor at the University of Cincinnati. After 10 years in Cincinnati, he moved to West Lafayette, Indiana, where he had a short stint as head of his department and tenure as professor at Purdue University until his retirement in 2006. Arvid’s career was highlighted by his influential textbook, Physical Processes in Geology, which established a new field and trained at least two generations of students. When he wasn’t busy attending his grandchildren’s many sporting or school events, which he loved doing, Arvid enjoyed gardening and spending time at their log cabin in Shipshewana, IN. He also had a passion for his Swedish heritage. Arvid is survived by his wife of 59 years, Deanna, daughter Jenna (Jeff) Wendlandt (Fort Wayne, IN), son Nils (Marleen) Johnson (Cincinnati, OH), son Kaj (Cyndi) Johnson (Bloomington, IN), and daughter Karla (Anthony) DeNicola (Indianapolis, IN). He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Michael, Kelsey and Alyssa Wendlandt, Kiersten, Alexander and Natasha Johnson, Aidan, Rebecca, and Leah Johnson, and Nathan, Carson, and Linnea DeNicola, two brothers, Richard (late Shirley) and Ansel (Susan) Johnson, and a sister Karin (Gary) Paulsen and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Walter and Karl. His kindness, generosity and physical presence will be deeply missed but forever remembered. A celebration of his life will be held on June 23 at 1:00 at Blue Ash Presbyterian Church, 4309 Cooper Rd Blue Ash, Ohio 45242. Preferred donation to: Arvid M. Johnson Scholarship Fund at Purdue University, ℅ Jimmy Parker 150 N. University St., West Lafayette, IN, 47907.