Frederick Thrane Johnson died April 9, 2011 in Houston, TX. He was 86. His wife of 61 years, Pearl Lillian Johnson, preceded him in death on Dec. 7, 2008. She was 84.
Both Chicago natives, Pearl was born Dec. 15, 1923, the daughter of Fred and Pearl Brenk. Fred was born May 20, the son of Alfred Charles and Louise Thrane Johnson. Although they both graduated from the Carl Schurz High School, they first met on a blind date during their junior year at Northwestern University. Pearl graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing, and Fred finished his degree in Chemical Engineering after service in the South Pacific in World War II. As a second lieutenant in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Fred was commissioned to command LST 675 that participated in the invasion of Okinawa, served on the USS Achilles and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Letters kept their romance alive during the war, and they married in Chicago on Flag Day, June 14, 1947.
Fred began his career with the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE, where the couple eventually settled after working for duPont in Philadelphia PA and Houston, TX. During his 36 years with duPont, Fred specialized in colors, paints and dyes in the Fabrics and Finishes Division. He testified before Congress regarding hazardous materials and product labeling legislation and received the Industry Achievement Award for distinguished service in Occupational Health and Product Safety from the National Paint and Coatings Association. Even after retirement he was often called as an expert witness in his field for legislative and legal proceedings. Pearl worked as the Membership Coordinator and published periodic newsletters for the DuPont Country Club. She worked with the Delaware Association for the Blind transcribing books and manuscripts into brail and was an active Cub Scout leader. They retired in 1985.
Having lived in Wilmington, DE for more than 50 years, Fred and Pearl left behind many dear friends when they returned to Texas in 2008. They are survived by Fred's sister Margaret Curtis of Rolling Meadows, IL, and Pearl's sister Eleanor 'Sandy' Francis of Downers Grove. IL. Other survivors include three sons and their families: Fritz Johnson, Cynthia Fyfe and granddaughter Katie Moore of Dillingham, Alaska; Curtis Johnson, Donna Kolar, and grandchildren Matthew Bachop, Alex Johnson and Rachel Johnson of Richmond, Texas; and Robert and Lilly Johnson and grandchildren Evan and Erica Johnson of Covina, California.
Family and friends will gather for memorial services near Navy Pier in Chicago May 14. In the days before he passed away, Fred spoke of having an important appointment to keep with Pearl. We take comfort in knowing that they have now reenacted the iconic embrace of a sailor and a nurse depicted in Life Magazine's 1945 cover photo taken on V-J Day in Times Square, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Fred and Pearl's names go to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Published in Chicago Tribune from April 18, 2011.
Both Chicago natives, Pearl was born Dec. 15, 1923, the daughter of Fred and Pearl Brenk. Fred was born May 20, the son of Alfred Charles and Louise Thrane Johnson. Although they both graduated from the Carl Schurz High School, they first met on a blind date during their junior year at Northwestern University. Pearl graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing, and Fred finished his degree in Chemical Engineering after service in the South Pacific in World War II. As a second lieutenant in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Fred was commissioned to command LST 675 that participated in the invasion of Okinawa, served on the USS Achilles and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Letters kept their romance alive during the war, and they married in Chicago on Flag Day, June 14, 1947.
Fred began his career with the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE, where the couple eventually settled after working for duPont in Philadelphia PA and Houston, TX. During his 36 years with duPont, Fred specialized in colors, paints and dyes in the Fabrics and Finishes Division. He testified before Congress regarding hazardous materials and product labeling legislation and received the Industry Achievement Award for distinguished service in Occupational Health and Product Safety from the National Paint and Coatings Association. Even after retirement he was often called as an expert witness in his field for legislative and legal proceedings. Pearl worked as the Membership Coordinator and published periodic newsletters for the DuPont Country Club. She worked with the Delaware Association for the Blind transcribing books and manuscripts into brail and was an active Cub Scout leader. They retired in 1985.
Having lived in Wilmington, DE for more than 50 years, Fred and Pearl left behind many dear friends when they returned to Texas in 2008. They are survived by Fred's sister Margaret Curtis of Rolling Meadows, IL, and Pearl's sister Eleanor 'Sandy' Francis of Downers Grove. IL. Other survivors include three sons and their families: Fritz Johnson, Cynthia Fyfe and granddaughter Katie Moore of Dillingham, Alaska; Curtis Johnson, Donna Kolar, and grandchildren Matthew Bachop, Alex Johnson and Rachel Johnson of Richmond, Texas; and Robert and Lilly Johnson and grandchildren Evan and Erica Johnson of Covina, California.
Family and friends will gather for memorial services near Navy Pier in Chicago May 14. In the days before he passed away, Fred spoke of having an important appointment to keep with Pearl. We take comfort in knowing that they have now reenacted the iconic embrace of a sailor and a nurse depicted in Life Magazine's 1945 cover photo taken on V-J Day in Times Square, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Fred and Pearl's names go to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Published in Chicago Tribune from April 18, 2011.
Frederick Thrane Johnson died April 9, 2011 in Houston, TX. He was 86. His wife of 61 years, Pearl Lillian Johnson, preceded him in death on Dec. 7, 2008. She was 84.
Both Chicago natives, Pearl was born Dec. 15, 1923, the daughter of Fred and Pearl Brenk. Fred was born May 20, the son of Alfred Charles and Louise Thrane Johnson. Although they both graduated from the Carl Schurz High School, they first met on a blind date during their junior year at Northwestern University. Pearl graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing, and Fred finished his degree in Chemical Engineering after service in the South Pacific in World War II. As a second lieutenant in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Fred was commissioned to command LST 675 that participated in the invasion of Okinawa, served on the USS Achilles and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Letters kept their romance alive during the war, and they married in Chicago on Flag Day, June 14, 1947.
Fred began his career with the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE, where the couple eventually settled after working for duPont in Philadelphia PA and Houston, TX. During his 36 years with duPont, Fred specialized in colors, paints and dyes in the Fabrics and Finishes Division. He testified before Congress regarding hazardous materials and product labeling legislation and received the Industry Achievement Award for distinguished service in Occupational Health and Product Safety from the National Paint and Coatings Association. Even after retirement he was often called as an expert witness in his field for legislative and legal proceedings. Pearl worked as the Membership Coordinator and published periodic newsletters for the DuPont Country Club. She worked with the Delaware Association for the Blind transcribing books and manuscripts into brail and was an active Cub Scout leader. They retired in 1985.
Having lived in Wilmington, DE for more than 50 years, Fred and Pearl left behind many dear friends when they returned to Texas in 2008. They are survived by Fred's sister Margaret Curtis of Rolling Meadows, IL, and Pearl's sister Eleanor 'Sandy' Francis of Downers Grove. IL. Other survivors include three sons and their families: Fritz Johnson, Cynthia Fyfe and granddaughter Katie Moore of Dillingham, Alaska; Curtis Johnson, Donna Kolar, and grandchildren Matthew Bachop, Alex Johnson and Rachel Johnson of Richmond, Texas; and Robert and Lilly Johnson and grandchildren Evan and Erica Johnson of Covina, California.
Family and friends will gather for memorial services near Navy Pier in Chicago May 14. In the days before he passed away, Fred spoke of having an important appointment to keep with Pearl. We take comfort in knowing that they have now reenacted the iconic embrace of a sailor and a nurse depicted in Life Magazine's 1945 cover photo taken on V-J Day in Times Square, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Fred and Pearl's names go to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Published in Chicago Tribune from April 18, 2011.
Both Chicago natives, Pearl was born Dec. 15, 1923, the daughter of Fred and Pearl Brenk. Fred was born May 20, the son of Alfred Charles and Louise Thrane Johnson. Although they both graduated from the Carl Schurz High School, they first met on a blind date during their junior year at Northwestern University. Pearl graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing, and Fred finished his degree in Chemical Engineering after service in the South Pacific in World War II. As a second lieutenant in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Fred was commissioned to command LST 675 that participated in the invasion of Okinawa, served on the USS Achilles and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Letters kept their romance alive during the war, and they married in Chicago on Flag Day, June 14, 1947.
Fred began his career with the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE, where the couple eventually settled after working for duPont in Philadelphia PA and Houston, TX. During his 36 years with duPont, Fred specialized in colors, paints and dyes in the Fabrics and Finishes Division. He testified before Congress regarding hazardous materials and product labeling legislation and received the Industry Achievement Award for distinguished service in Occupational Health and Product Safety from the National Paint and Coatings Association. Even after retirement he was often called as an expert witness in his field for legislative and legal proceedings. Pearl worked as the Membership Coordinator and published periodic newsletters for the DuPont Country Club. She worked with the Delaware Association for the Blind transcribing books and manuscripts into brail and was an active Cub Scout leader. They retired in 1985.
Having lived in Wilmington, DE for more than 50 years, Fred and Pearl left behind many dear friends when they returned to Texas in 2008. They are survived by Fred's sister Margaret Curtis of Rolling Meadows, IL, and Pearl's sister Eleanor 'Sandy' Francis of Downers Grove. IL. Other survivors include three sons and their families: Fritz Johnson, Cynthia Fyfe and granddaughter Katie Moore of Dillingham, Alaska; Curtis Johnson, Donna Kolar, and grandchildren Matthew Bachop, Alex Johnson and Rachel Johnson of Richmond, Texas; and Robert and Lilly Johnson and grandchildren Evan and Erica Johnson of Covina, California.
Family and friends will gather for memorial services near Navy Pier in Chicago May 14. In the days before he passed away, Fred spoke of having an important appointment to keep with Pearl. We take comfort in knowing that they have now reenacted the iconic embrace of a sailor and a nurse depicted in Life Magazine's 1945 cover photo taken on V-J Day in Times Square, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Fred and Pearl's names go to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Published in Chicago Tribune from April 18, 2011.
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