Dr. John William Johnson

Dr. John William Johnson died on Friday, January 2, 2026 from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia at the full age of 79, in Waterloo, IA. In the days before his passing, John was surrounded by family and friends who loved him, and the music of Bruce Springsteen. For the past several months, he was in the capable care of the people at Nation Cottage with the Western Home. During this time the family was able to visit and spend time with him—and his wife, Becky, and oldest son, Matthew, in particular were with him on a daily basis. In his final days, following injuries and worsening health, the caregivers at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo ensured that John was comfortable at the end and passed in his sleep. The outpouring of sympathy, condolences, and cherished memories from loved ones near and far in these final days have been the testament to a long and full life. John loved nothing more than the esteem of those he valued, and it is without hesitation that we assert he valued you highly if you are reading this. The richness of his time on earth is alive in the many special people that this message will reach and the interesting places it will find you. Despite the wide net cast by John’s life, it is worth remarking how much his community in Cedar Falls and at the University of Northern Iowa meant to him. While he grew up in Minnesota and his career as a professor took him to various places like New York, South Carolina, and even Alaska—making dear friends and carrying forward meaningful work in each of these communities—it was in Cedar Falls, IA that John truly and ultimately made his home. He found such satisfaction in the work and collegiality of the History Department and the greater UNI community, he bled purple and gold for all panther sports (particularly volleyball and basketball) through the good times and the trying times, and he found purpose after retiring in good works like the Reading Buddies program with Cedar Falls Community Schools and as a member of the Arcturus club. In his free time, he would usually be found on the golf course, cross-country skiing, reading his e-reader, or in the company of friends and colleagues. John is survived by his wife, Becky Hasenclever; his sons, Matthew and Noah Johnson; his daughters-in-law, Darcy Fair Johnson and Jessica Fiedler Johnson; his grandchildren Lucas, Stella, Liam, and Evie Johnson; his brothers, James and Joel Johnson; and his former wives, Charlotte Mull and Maureen Murphy. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Arthur Johnson and Jean Olstad Johnson; and his first wife, Deborah Garland Johnson. John William Johnson was a scholar, a facilitator, a teacher, an earnest music-lover, a golfing enthusiast, a Panther fan, a mentor, a colleague, a father, a husband, a brother, a son, a grandfather, and a dear friend to many. We are so appreciative of the time that we had to know him and only regret that it could not have been longer. We will cherish his memory and carry forward the lessons that we learned from him to the end of our days. A visitation will be held at the Richardson Funeral Service at 615 Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls on 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to these worthy charities that John supported: Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Cedar Bend Humane Society, or the Cedar Falls Historical Society.

Dr. John William Johnson

April 9, 1946 - January 2, 2026