Rest in peace: Bryan Johnston

Kari Chisholm FacebookTwitterWebsite

Bryanjohnston_2Oregonians are mourning the death of Bryan Johnston - a state legislator, mediator, agency director, law professor, academic leader. He passed away in his sleep on Friday night. The cause of death is unknown, but believed to be heart-related.

As Willamette's president Lee Pelton wrote in a statement to the university community:

Bryan approached his life and work with passion and vigor, humor and warmth. His enormous generosity of spirit, his razor-sharp wit and his infinite capacity to lead and inspire others were the hallmark of all he undertook as husband and father, college professor, Atkinson Dean, interim Willamette president, mediator, legislator, and the top administrator of some of the largest and most complex agencies in state government.

Bryan's passing comes as he was about to start his "dream job" as president of St. Martin's College outside Tacoma. In many ways, he was Oregon's go-to guy -- serving as an interim president of Willamette University, interim director of the state's Dept. of Human Services, and many other interim assignments.

As the Statesman-Journal editorialized this morning:

Bryan Johnston was Salem’s Mr. Fix-it.

Need someone to fill in as Willamette University president? Call on Bryan. Need someone to give a commencement address? Call on Bryan. Need someone to run a state agency? Call on Bryan. Need someone to lead a school bond-measure campaign? Call on Bryan. And much, much more.

His death this weekend comes as a profound shock to those who knew him, including the hundreds – possibly thousands – of people who’d worked with him on community projects over the years.

On a personal note: Bryan was a friend and a colleague. He was a mentor to many, many Oregon politicos, activists, and others. He was always thinking about new ways to serve Oregon. And he will be deeply missed.

(Memorial arrangements haven't been announced yet, but I will keep you posted.)

  • Jefferson Smith (unverified)
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    This really sucks.

    Bryan was a true First Citizen.

    Talked to him this week.

    Crap.

    Wordless.

  • Christy (unverified)
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    I send my condolences to his family, of course, and those he mentored. I know that I have many sad, stunned friends today and I will have them in my thoughts. Especially one.

  • LT (unverified)
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    This was a shock--family friend and our former state rep.

  • mamabigdog (unverified)
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    I had the pleasure of hearing Bryan speak several times, and he was simply brilliant. He had a way of getting his message across in such a witty, wise and clear way, he was remarkable. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to engage with him the few times I did... it was evident how special this man was to his close friends and family.

    It is a great loss for us all.

  • Matt (unverified)
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    Oregon has lost one of its finest citizens and I have lost one of my friends way too early.

    My thoughts and prayers goto to his family.

    Bryan will be missed not just because he truly was Oregon's "Go-To-Guy," or because of his sharp wit that would make you laugh for a minute and think for ten, no his legacy will be the way he made everyone try to live up to the example he set. He had a way of making people do great things.

    Good bye friend.

  • Laila (unverified)
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    At Willamette, we had a program called "the Last Lecture Series" we asked leaders of the state, city and University to address this topic: if this is the last lecture you ever gave, what would you say? In 1998 we were expecting Bryan to speak about the state of politics, but he did not. He gave a moving and wonderful lecture about appreciating the arts. "When you watch a movie, it is the music that moves you to an emotion." I remember that line verbatim. He encouraged us to develop a deep love of art and music in addition to whatever we studied believing that it was a muscle that needed training and would get stronger with practice. He was an eloquent speaker and wonderful man who gave me a deeper appreciation of politics, and arts. Not a combination many can achieve. Oregon has lost someone wonderful.

  • Randy Leonard (unverified)
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    Thank you, Kari, for posting this.

    I served with Bryan in the Oregon Legislature. He was, as the comments so far make clear, a true gentleman. He was respected highly by both democrats and republicans alike for not only his balance, but his always thoughtful demeanor.

    Oregon will forever be a better place because of Bryan.

  • Tina Alexander (unverified)
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    Bryan Johnston was the ultimate professional. He was an excellent teacher and kind friend. Bryan advised me when I stepped into the role of Director of the MBA for Professionals program at Willamette University. He was generous with his time and his guidance. I will miss his wit. My prayers to his family. - Tina

  • Rep. Chip Shields (unverified)
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    Bryan was truly a class act and a tremendous public servant. We were working on increasing funding for what's called Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (e.g. - residential services for kids at Morrison Center ). This is a great loss for our great state. My heart goes out to his family.

  • Ken Ray (unverified)
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    I first met Bryan the night he was elected to the Oregon House in 1994 and was blessed to work in the Legislature during both of the terms in which he served. He was bright, talented, always encouraging, and always working hard in tackling tough policy issues. I consider him a great mentor and friend.

    As a Willamette alumnus, I am tremendously grateful for his service to the university, especially as interim president. Though it was a temporary assignment, he was no seat-warmer. As with his service in state government, he put forth his total commitment to build on and improve university programs. He left a tremendous mark on Willamette, just as he did on the state and on all of us who were fortunate to know him personally.

    This is a tough loss to accept. I will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with Anne and the family.

  • lyn Horine Burgess (unverified)
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    Bryan's wisdom and counsel were invaluable to the Salem community as they established Neighbor to Neighbor, the city's conflict resolution entity. As a result, he leaves a wonderful legacy of skilled and dedicated volunteers here to continue his peaceful pursuits. My late husband, David, worked with that effort and also on his campaigns. My family and I are richer for that and we send our love and sympathies to Anne and his children as he shared his with us when we lost David.

  • Joass Lyatuu (unverified)
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    I was shocked by the news of the death of Brian. My condolences to his family. Brian was an amazing friend and briliant professor and a true leader. I enjoyed his negotiation class during my MBA studies at Atkinson. I learned so much from him, and his teaching has always been a treasure to my life

    I pray for his soul, and may Alimight God rest his soul in peace, Amen

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    I did not know Brian. But from the people giving their condolences, I know Oregon lost one of its best.

    Lupita and I wish all the best to his family.

  • Ross Day (unverified)
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    Thanks for posting this.

    Just to demonstrate what a fantastic person Bryan was, I considered him a very good friend, he was always there for me and always willing to take my call. And I am a conservative Republican.

    I was in law school when Rep. Johnston was the interim president of Willamette. As the readers at BlueOregon can probably imagine, being a loud-mouthed conservative in a law school can make law school especially difficult. Bryan was always there for me, and always made himself available for me to vent when I needed to.

    He was at the Atkinson School when I was in my third year at Willamette, and he helped me through one of the toughest times in my life as a parent, and he gave me great advice that helped me get through the bar exam.

    Words cannot express the admiration I have for Bryan Johnston. I do know this, it is absolutely wrong to call Bryan Johnston a politician, he was a statesman in every sense of the word. And a role model for young politicos, progressive and conservative alike.

    This conservative will deeply miss Representative Johnston.

  • Erik & Molly Gellatly (unverified)
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    We were so shocked and sad to learn of Bryan's passing today. We first met him during his first term in the Oregon Legislature when we were both starting our professional careers after our undergraduate studies. Right away we were struck by his genuine concern for people. We could always approach him for advice or with a question.

    Bryan was the kind of leader and teacher who brought out the best in the people around him. We are really going to miss Bryan and hope his family and our community knows how blessed we all are to have had him with us.

  • Rose Wilde (unverified)
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    Most recently Bryan was leading up the division of DHS where I work (Children Adults and Families). That's Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency -- i.e. "welfare". He came in right in the middle of the CW case with the Mexican relatives asking for custody of a Mexican-American kid in foster care... all kinds of mess, and yet he quickly acted to help bring the matter to a sensible resolution, got us out of the newspaper (whew!) and continued assisting with several other projects. He wrote several agency wide Friday emails, showing off his dry wit for a little relief to us weary bureaucrats.

    I can't imagine how difficult that job is for anyone, even a professional like Bryan. What a loss!

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    Received this today:

    Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Passing of Bryan Johnston

    Salem – “The State of Oregon lost a trusted friend and leader yesterday with the sudden and tragic passing of former State Representative Bryan Johnston.

    “Bryan’s public service spans the course of more than three decades. In academia, in the legislative branch, and in the executive branch Bryan touched the lives of many.

    “Never shy to a challenge, Bryan always served when called, and did so with great honor and distinction. His commitment to youth and families in particular is unmatched.

    “We should look to Bryan as an example of selfless service and follow his lead in believing in the good in all people and helping others less fortunate than ourselves.

    “A father, a husband, a teacher, a friend and a champion for Oregon’s children and families – Bryan will be missed by many and forgotten by none.”

  • Sen. Suzanne Bonamici (unverified)
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    The passing of Bryan Johnston is a tremendous loss to our state and to the region. His dedication to public service is truly admirable and I know he will be missed by many.

    My sincere condolences to the family.

  • Sharon Miller Perez (unverified)
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    Family and Friends of Bryan, I share my long-distance condolences with all of you. Thanks to my dear friends in Portland who called to tell me this very sad news. Bryan was first my professor, then my president and then my friend. He had such a role in making Oregon the state that Anthony and I miss so much now that we live in Ohio. Our love to Anne and the children.

  • Quinn (unverified)
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    Bryan - Thanks for all the work you did for Oregon and all the mentorship you provided for Oregon Dems. You'll be dearly missed.

  • Christine Throneburg (unverified)
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    My uncle - Bryan Johnston was my Mom's brother and we are truly shocked and hurting to have lost such an incredible man. He was loved, respected and admired by his family and it is so wonderful to know that he meant as much to all of you! He always made me want to be a better person and thanks to him I will never stop trying to make a difference!

  • Debbie Kronick (unverified)
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    This is such a huge loss for DHS Child Welfare. He took over a position that was difficult and complex - and he excelled. We will miss his leadership - he was inspiring, dedicated and genuine.

    My family's heart goes out to the Johnston's family. We hope you will accept our condolences and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    dk

  • Richard Buck (unverified)
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    I knew Bryan when he was interim Willamette president. He was a wonderful, fun, smart and dedicated friend and leader. I am very sorry to hear his life ended so prematurely. Many, many people are the beneficiaries of Bryan's life.

  • Brian Hess (unverified)
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    I was devastated to learn of Bryan's death. I, along with so many others, had a deep respect for him - both as a public servant and in his prior roles as interim president of Willamette and as Dean of the Atkinson School. Bryan was an amazing administrator, a kind and gentle soul, someone who not only knew your name, but knew your story. I am so sad to learn of his passing. I send my condolences to Anne and the family. A very sad day indeed.

  • Christine (Samuel) Boress (unverified)
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    Please accept our family's deepest sympathy on the Johnston Family's recent loss of Bryan.

    I remember Bryan well from when he coached our color guard at St. Augustine High School while I was there from 1964-1968. He was an enthusiastic, hard worker back then, too. It doesn't surprise me that he accomplished so much in his lifetime. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched.

    God bless Bryan and all his loved ones.

    With heartfelt sympathy, Christine (Samuel), Allan, and Family

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