Richard Coriell Johnson

Brunswick - Richard Coriell Johnson, 95, of Wyck Lane died Friday, October 14, 2016, at his residence after a brief illness.

Born in Plainfield, NJ, he was the son of the late Herbert Gardiner Johnson and Clara Adeline Greene Johnson. He was predeceased by his first wife, Irma A. Belden Johnson, his second wife, Mary Buckingham Johnson, and by his dear friend and companion, Diana Pasho. He earned a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1943 and a Masters in Science and Business Administration in 1967. After an intensive review, Richard took and passed the examinations to become a Licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, on September 30, 1958. This became a substantial asset in his career.

After college, he worked in Tennessee at Wolf Creek Ordinance Plant for 1 1/2 years until he was drafted. While waiting to report for induction, he worked briefly at the Watervliet Arsenal as a "Rigger's Helper". The Army assigned him to Basic Training in the Infantry, and subsequently to the Army Corp of Engineers "Special Engineering Detachment" in Santa Fe, New Mexico (actually Los Alamos, NM) in the Manhattan Project; manufacturing parts of the "Fat Man" atomic bomb. After his discharge, he went to work for Merck and Company in Rahway, NJ and helped in the development of artificial cortisone in the early 1950's. Returning to the Troy area, he worked for B.T. Babbitt, Inc. in South Albany until 1963, when he took employment with the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene until 1976 when the Department split, and he continued with the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities until his retirement in 1989 as Assistant Director of Engineering.

He was a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers,  Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, Life Member of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni, New York State Professional Engineer, National Rifle Association, NY State Rifle & Pistol Association, American Single Shot Rifle Association, Forbes Rifle & Pistol Club, Watervliet Fish & Game Protective Association, Brunswick Sportsman's Club, Dunham's Bay Fish & Game Club, Troy Pistol League, International Benchrest Shooters, National Bench Rest Shooters Association and International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association.  He was also a member of the Germania Hall Association, The Nature Conservancy, the American Legion, Post 1881, Consumers Union, Silver Bay Association, Adirondack Mountain Club, Brunswick Community Library, Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, New York State Conservation Council and Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance.    

His immediate family survivors include his daughter, Joanne (William) Skerritt, a sister, Barbara Elliott Johnson (Len) Duncan, stepchildren, Douglas VanWie, Susan Kastan, and David (Cheryl) VanWie, a grandchild, Kory (Michelle) Weaver, and great grandchildren, Justin and Kylie Weaver.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc.  276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Sunday, October 23, 2016 from 4-7 PM. 

Funeral service will be held Monday, at 11 AM at the funeral home with Rev. Robert Peters officiating.

Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery Troy.

Richard’s greatest desire was to live and die in his own home. That wish became a reality due to the loving care provided by dear friends and relatives Douglas VanWie, Erica Navojosky, Marie Otwori, and Toni Connors. Without them we could not have fulfilled his final wish. Many thanks to Hospice of Rensselaer County for their support and encouragement as well. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Richard Coriell Johnson to The Community Hospice (Gift Processing Center) 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208 or to Planned Parenthood.  

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