Castleton is mourning the loss of an iconic member of its family with the passing of Leonard Johnson on Sunday, April 20. Until recently, Johnson made his home at the family homestead in Rutland where he was born on April 9, 1922.
Known to the College as "Mr. Castleton," Johnson graduated from Castleton (then the Castleton Normal School) in 1945 and spent his entire adult life dedicated to education, including 35 years as a professor in the education department at Castleton before retiring in 1988. Upon retirement he was appointed Special Assistant to then President Lyle Gray, and was also named Professor Emeritus. During the 1992 commencement exercises Johnson was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, earning the first honorary degree in Castleton's history.
Johnson was an incredible benefactor to the college throughout his life. One of his most notable contributions to the college came in the form of the Woodruff carillons which were restored in October 2012 and chime daily. While he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and redecorating; the three great loves of Johnson's life were his faith, his family, and Castleton University.
Castleton President Dave Wolk said he has known and admired Johnson for 40 years. "I was blessed to seek his counsel and to marvel at his huge heart. Leonard Johnson epitomized the best of our alumni and the best of our educators. Leonard carried on conversations with me about his beloved alma mater right up until the end, and he was very sharp and compassionate in articulating his unconditional love for the college and our students. We will really miss him, but we will not forget him."
Friend and colleague, Ron Savage, captured all that Johnson meant to Castleton in this article published in the Fall 1992 edition of the Castleton Alumni Review.