Ralph Johnston

Ralph Walker Johnston (age 90) passed away comfortably at his home in Mt. Airy, Maryland on November 11, 2016 surrounded by loved ones.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta D. Johnston and son Mark L. Johnston. He is survived by sons David Michael and wife Lynn, Gerald Schuyler and wife Divina, and daughter Elisabeth J. Swenson as well as grandchildren Alexander Walker Swenson, Michael Walker Johnston, Liam Paul Swenson and Anna Elisabeth Swenson. Ralph is also survived by his loving caregiver and unofficial grandchild, Corey Totten.

Ralph, known to friends and family as “The Boss”, was born August 7, 1926 in Norton, Ohio. He was a Signal Man Second Class in the United States Navy during World War II where he received the Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon and Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. After the war, he graduated from the University of Akron with a B.S. degree in biology and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Microbiology from Ohio State. Ralph was a researcher for the Food and Drug Administration and went on to become Director of Microbiology, Food Safety & Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

Ralph’s research and work led to many important discoveries and improvements in science related to food safety.  He was awarded the Arthur J. Flemming award (1964) honoring outstanding young men in federal government and the FDA Award of Merit for extraordinary public service in the Food and Drug Administration (1964). Other awards include Federal Employee of the Year (1965) Award of Merit, and USDA Award for Distinguished Service (1991), as well as the USDA Award for Superior Service (1979) and (1993).

He excelled not only in his profession, but also as a parent, grandfather and friend. Ralph’s giving nature, humility, integrity, bravery, perseverance and willingness to forgive were reasons he was adored by his family and friends. He suffered with a very rare neurological disease for the past 30 years, but he did so with grace and without complaints, taking on the challenge and continuing to be the best he could be, despite the card he was dealt. Even in death, he continued his giving nature, serving as a brain donor for dystonia research. He will be greatly missed by many.