{"id":82555,"date":"2019-01-25T22:28:37","date_gmt":"2019-01-26T04:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=82555"},"modified":"2019-01-26T16:22:55","modified_gmt":"2019-01-26T22:22:55","slug":"hundreds-pay-tribute-to-the-late-adam-johanson-assistant-professor-of-physics-and-director-of-the-wiley-planetarium-and-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2019\/01\/hundreds-pay-tribute-to-the-late-adam-johanson-assistant-professor-of-physics-and-director-of-the-wiley-planetarium-and-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds Pay Tribute to the Late Adam Johanson, Assistant Professor of Physics and Director of the Wiley Planetarium, and Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 200 Delta State University students, faculty, staff, and administrators joined community members on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, to remember the kindness, generosity, compassion, faith, and dedication of Dr. Adam Johanson, 35, assistant professor of physics and director of the Wiley Planetarium, who died in a car crash on Jan. 3 with his wife and high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Marshall Johanson, 35, and their 8-year-old daughter, Jane.<\/p>\n

Sniffles and chuckles came in equal measure from the Delta State family and the West Coast-based Johanson and Marshall families at the 90-minute tribute, which took place in Caylor Hall on the Delta State campus. Representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to whom the Johansons and Marshalls belong, also participated in the remembrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir lives inspire us to be better and follow in their example of loving each other and caring for those we come in contact with,\u201d said Matthew Johanson, a sibling of Adam, articulating a touchstone that many speakers referenced.<\/p>\n

Older sister Carrie Butikofer told anecdotes that symbolized the couple\u2019s sensibilities. Adam ran in place as a toddler before moving forward, taking time to consider options and prepare for the task ahead\u2014an approach continued into adulthood. Elizabeth, a devoted mother, not only liked to read, decorate cakes, and practice interior design but also loved rainbows because of what they represented: something beautiful after something stormy. Their complementary outlooks helped the couple persevere after tragedies and health issues with their children, family members recounted.<\/p>\n

Morgan Dean, Jane\u2019s teacher at Parks Elementary School, described the girl as \u201cclockwork,\u201d someone on whom he could depend. He cited \u201ccaring and intelligent eyes behind her glasses\u201d that watched with gentle warmth \u201clike a grandmother.\u201d<\/p>\n

No wonder more than 1,200 people have contributed to a GoFundMe\u00a0campaign<\/a>, explained Joe Bentley, a chemistry professor, set up by the Marshall and Johanson families to pay for memorial and funeral expenses and for support services for the surviving Johanson children, who also were in the fatal wreck: Megan, 12; Alec, 5; and Charlotte, 3. \u201cTo move this many people to help is a mark of a life well-lived,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Speakers praised Adam\u2019s joy for teaching and commitment to kinship. He \u201calways looked for a way to get involved,\u201d said Robert Kagumba, assistant professor of biology, \u201cand for a way to involve family.\u201d Delta State student Brittany Adams appreciated how when she battled a lack of self-confidence, her professor said that when he thinks of her, \u201cI think of an intelligent person that doubts herself too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Shelley Collins, professor of music, and her son, Eddie Mitchell, sign the guestbook prior to the memorial service.<\/p><\/div>\n

The couple were \u201cso willing to give whatever they had,\u201d whether big or small, said Leslie Green-Pimentel, an associate professor in social science. She worshipped with the Johansons and recounted instances of how they reflexively lent a helping hand.<\/p>\n

Assistant Professor of Physics James Gerald, who gave his spare bedroom to Adam during his first semester at Delta State in summer 2016, turned to Mary Oliver\u2019s poem, \u201cHeavy,\u201d to express his grief. Gerald also created a photo\/video memory to the deceased with assistance from their families; it played to begin the remembrance and returned at the conclusion.<\/p>\n

Janice Johanson, Adam\u2019s mother, admitted to bragging for years about the type of accomplishments mentioned by the speakers. \u201cI thought maybe I was exaggerating,\u201d she said with a rueful smile. \u201cI\u2019m thinking now maybe not so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

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About the true love between Adam and Elizabeth, she recollected how Elizabeth said that his affection for her was so deep it was as if the sun and moon revolved around her. \u201cWhen you\u2019re an astronomer, that\u2019s pretty big,\u201d said the proud parent.<\/p>\n

She continued, \u201cHe trusted. He tried.\u201d And he believed\u2014in his work, in his family, and in his religion.<\/p>\n

\u201cFamilies are forever,\u201d echoed Bishop Greg Morrill.<\/p>\n

The Johansons “will not be forgotten,\u201d stated Delta State President William N. LaForge. \u201cLet us proceed solemnly with them in our minds and hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Song filled the emotional event. Bret Pimentel, associate professor of music, played a woodwind prelude. The Johanson family sang \u201cNearer, My God, to Thee.\u201d And the closing song was \u201cGod Be with You Till We Meet Again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Douglas Johanson, Adam\u2019s father, led the final prayer.<\/p>\n

Go here to read obituaries of the deceased provided by the Johanson and Marshall families:
\nhttps:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/sh\/rnp6vdalfu90vaj\/AACB6U1F96O1InayY87PVZ46a?dl=0<\/p>\n

Go here to watch a video tribute of the deceased created by Joshua Johanson, brother of Adam:<\/p>\n

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