Kenneth David Johnson

Kenneth David Johnson, professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Georgia, died Wednesday, October 15, 2014. He was 74.
Ken was born on August 19, 1940, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He attended Catholic schools there and went on to the University of Massachusetts to receive a degree in mathematics. He continued his education at the University of California at Berkeley, where he completed a doctorate in mathematics.
Ken taught at the University of Georgia for 29 years and retired in 2006. He was an analyst and worked in representation theory of Lie groups. His research was supported by the National Science Foundation. He was awarded the Creative
Research Medal. As a visiting professor he lived in various states and countries including France, China, and India.
He is survived by his wife Teddy, his daughter Caroline Kamminga (Kristin) of Jacksonville, Florida, and his son Douglas Johnson of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by his brothers James Johnson (Beverly) and Ward Johnson (Jit) and his sister Rosemary Schnopp (Pete).
Ken was a lifelong runner. He participated for 20 years in the Stanford University research program into aging and running. In retirement Ken was able to return to another passion - chess. He played regularly with individuals and his chess group. Cooking became another interest as did gardening. Reading, especially Russian history, occupied many leisure hours. Ken and Teddy were avid opera fans. They traveled widely here and abroad to attend performances. For 20 seasons they enjoyed the productions of the Georgia Shakespeare Festival at Oglethorpe University and also those of the Southeastern Savoyards' Gilbert & Sullivan light operas.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 22, from 2-4pm at the Day Chapel at the State Botanical Garden.