Steve LH Tsonoma Johnson, 74, of Helena, died peacefully by the Little Blackfoot River on August 13, 2012, after a ten year battle with brain cancer. His beloved wife of fifty-one years, his three children and loyal dog were at his side.
Steve was born November 23, 1937 in Long Beach, California, the son of Wallace John Stockman Johnson and Marion Vidoroni Johnson. A young adventurer, he dreamed of life as a cowboy. At 14 he traveled in a railroad boxcar from his home in Berkeley to Colorado Springs with a Hereford bull as his sole companion. After marrying Mary Irish in 1960 and receiving his degree in veterinary medicine from UC Davis in 1961, he established a large animal practice and managed the family ranch in Sonoma County. When a back injury ended his veterinary career he focused on growing premium wine grapes. In 1974 he received his Masters in Education from Stanford University and pursued his calling as a teacher.
After two years at the Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, Steve moved the family to The Mountain School in Vermont, where he taught high school science and managed the school farm. He finished his teaching career at the Kent Denver School in Colorado in 1990. He was known as an imaginative and unconventional teacher who challenged his students to think outside the textbook. An animated performer, many students remember Dr. Johnson for his lectures on entropy while walking on lab tables dressed as Einstein.
In 1996 Steve moved 50 head of the family’s remaining cattle stock to a small ranch in Elbert County, Colorado. After brain surgery weakened his body in 2002, Steve sold the last of his beloved Herefords. He and Mary moved to Helena at the end of 2003 to be near their daughter and her family.
His passion for ranching and teaching extended to a life long commitment to caring for and preserving natural places. He co-founded the Alexander Valley Association in California and served on the Open Lands Advisory Committee in Elbert County, Colorado.
Steve was a perfectionist. He could see the lean in a fencepost where no one else could. Animals were cared for with rare respect. Before opening presents Christmas morning, livestock were fed and stalls meticulously cleaned. He could famously discuss the second law of thermodynamics as easily as proper hand position on a horse’s reins. His love of his family is evident in the resulting values shared by his children and grandchildren.
Steve is survived by his wife, Mary Irish Johnson; his children Kris Johnson of Mill Valley, CA, Will (Lakshmi) Johnson of La Canada, CA, and Amy (Tom) Kruse of Helena; his grandchildren Audrey and Kyle Johnson; Brij, Avani and Kiana Johnson; and Logan and Bowen Kruse; his sisters Trina (John) Staten of Orinda and Linda Johnson of Berkeley.
An informal celebration of Steve’s life will be held at 3386 Little Blackfoot River Road, Friday, August 17, at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow. (Please call Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home for directions.) The family wishes to thank their friends for their love and support over the past ten years. To our angel neighbors, Rick and Jane Hays and Dr. Vince and Lotte Pons, we owe special gratitude. If you would like to honor Steve’s memory, donations can be made to the Prickly Pear Land Trust, PO Box 892, Helena, MT, 59624 or the Hospice of St. Peter’s, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or simply spend some time in nature with your dog at your side.
Patricia Tucker says
I met Steve a few years ago and was immediately impressed by his kindness, and his rational approach to life without losing sight of its wonder. I will not forget him and the contributions he made.
Kathleen & Richard Ellis says
So glad we have had the pleasure of being your neighbors and friends. I’ll always remember that day one year ago when we first moved back and Cheyenne was acting like she might have had some colic. How kind of Steve to come up and listen to her gut and reassure us that she was OK..
Tammy Harbour says
Hello, I was surprised to hear of Steve’s death and am so sorry. Now he is in Heaven with Chey and Jesus. Yea for them : )He will be greatly missed by me. Love you all, Tammy Harbour
John Ducker says
Mr. Johnson was an inspired and inspiring teacher. He believed in the connections kids were able to make, an enabled them with humor and intelligence. I still have all 3 of my 10th grade biology projects, 1) a chain of pages showing entropy and it’s effects, 2) my report on the great horned owl, 3) a glass holiday ornament we each made and were asked to protect. The ornament was supposed to show that even as irresponsible 15 year olds, we could learn to take care of the earth. Mine (and my responsibility as a care keeper of the Earth) remains. He told us of believing in the importance of the Lorax (Seuss). Safe passage, Mr. Johnson, and my thoughts to his family, especially Amy and Tom from KDCD.