Chester Johnson, who founded the Gustavus Geology Department in 1940, died December 8 at age 96. He retired from teaching in 1978, but continued working for the college until 2001. Here is a brief excerpt from a letter written by Joe Carlson, also Prof. Emeritus in Geology:
“…Chet was my biggest hero. He was perhaps the smartest, wisest and funniest guy I have known. He was my geology teacher (and I found myself better prepared for grad school than students from larger more prestigious places), my mentor when I joined him as a struggling naive beginning instructor, and a lifelong inspiration. Within that seemingly “sour” look you found a gracious, generous and supportive soul with a captivating self deprecating sense of humor.”
A memorial service will be held at 10a.m. Saturday, December 19, at Trinity Lutheran in St. Peter. Here is a link to the obituary posted on the College website:
http://news.blog.gustavus.edu/2009/12/10/obituary-chester-o-johnson-95-emeritus-professor-of-geology/