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In Memory

Howard Johnson (Science Teacher)

Howard Johnson (Science Teacher)

Howard A. Johnson, 84, retired chemistry and physics teacher for West High School and North High School, died Thursday. (Wichita Eagle, June 17, 1984)

Johnson Plans Retirement (West Word, February 25, 1966)

“I think they’ve been real swell,” Mr. Howard Johnson chemistry teacher commented when asked about the students he’d taught in the past.  He is retiring this year, having been at West since the school opened. 

He has taught in Wichita schools since the fall of 1929. Other schools at which he has taught are Horace Mann Junior High and North High.  Mr. Johnson has taught several subjects: basic science, chemistry, physics, biology, and even a little math.  Father of Karen Parker, ‘67, was a student of Mr. Johnson during the earlier part of the teacher’s career. Mr. Parker stated, “I remember that Mr. Johnson never gave homework over vacations. Everyone who was taught by him learned a great deal about science.” Mr. Johnson has enjoyed teaching chemistry the most. Presently he has five classes a day of this subject. “I drifted into it,” was the comment Mr. Johnson made when asked why he chose the teaching profession. Other jobs he held before becoming a teacher were selling life insurance and bonds, doing mechanical work, carrying mail, and working for an express company.

After retirement, the chemistry teacher plans to enjoy golfing. He also likes to “play around on math.” Florida is one of the places in his plans for travel. Mr. Johnson will miss the student body more than anything else. “That’s the big drawing card - the kids. You spend long hours for them; that’s what you live for.”

Memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=76058415