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Ludwell Johnson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ludwell Johnson
Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.
Paula Heslin-Nelson
June 26, 2017
Dear Pam - I remember well when you and Luddy met and how impressed we all were with his intellectual, challenging and exciting classes. I was living in the Alpha Chi house with fellow history majors Melissa, Muffie and Gretchen and he created quite a stir. He certainly fulfilled that early promise. It has been many years but my memory of you both is very clear. My heartfelt condolences go out to you. Paula Heslin. Class of 1958.
June 24, 2017
When I tell stories of my time at William and Mary in the early 70s, they always include my time with Dr. Ludwell H. Johnson III. His lectures on Civil War history and his thoughts on the impact of that time are with me to this day. I received a B in his class. I never worked harder for a grade and I was never more proud of what I got. An inspired speaker who could put you in the middle of history. A tough professor who expected more from his students. An mentor for generations of historians. A great man and a huge loss for the College and those of us who were fortunate enough to experience history through his perspective. To paraphrase him from his final lecture in my favorite class ever, as Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomatox, may he rest in peace with a well done from thousands of his devoted followers.
Bruce Falk Class of 1975
June 24, 2017
a writer stradordinario! Grazie.
Stephen Siciliano
June 23, 2017
My condolences to Dr. Johnson's family. Dr. Johnson was a wonderful teacher and adviser. As one of his doctoral students in the early 1980's, I always found him to be supportive and helpful in my pursuit of learning and in writing about the American Civil War. I respected his honest assessments of my work and enjoyed his dry wit about the war and its legacy.
Stephen Siciliano, W&M Ph.D. 1984
J. Charles Riecks
June 21, 2017
Dr. Johnson was my teacher and mentor 1963-5. I found his approach to history to be rigorous and demanding. And over these long years, the approach that he instilled in me greatly enhanced my life.
J. Charles Riecks, Class of '65.
Theodore DeLaney
June 21, 2017
As a graduate student in the late 1980s, I took a readings course with Professor Johnson who was always the gentleman and scholar. Once or twice, he treated me to sherry in his office at Phi Beta Kappa Hall. I always found him delightful. The last time I talked with him, about 10 years ago, he said, "You know I haven't felt well since Appomattox." His humor was always amusing.
Thomas Corbin
June 21, 2017
Dr. Johnson was a revered professor in the 1960's when I was in his two semester course. His lecture on the religious sects in nineteenth century America drew a big crowd - history majors and non-history majors alike! His sense of humor, his dedication, and his knowledge of history endeared him to his students. It was an honor to have studied under him. Dr. Johnson, Dr. Fowler, and Thad Tate were the big three in the history department back in the day. My condolences to Dr. Johnson's family.
Todd Pfannestiel
June 21, 2017
As a graduate student at W&M, I had the privilege of taking Professor Johnson's course on the "Civil War" the last time he taught it prior to retirement. I can still remember being required to draw hour-by-hour troop movement maps of the various battlefields from memory. Professor, scholar, and mentor - that is how I will remember "the Colonel." As a college history professor myself, I hope to even come close to his exemplary model.
Susan Bruton Cole
June 21, 2017
I had the immense pleasure of being in Dr. Johnson's Civil War classes at William & Mary (class of 1961) a very long time ago when he and I were still young. I'm nearly certain he joined the faculty my Junior year -- the same year that I enrolled in his class. He had no "reputation" so I walked into his classroom not knowing I was entering into one of the most memorable and rewarding intellectual periods of my life. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to study under this amazing historian, scholar, and profoundly nice man. My oldest daughter is also a graduate of W&M (1985) and she and I were talking about him just this morning, She has kept all her text books and all of her notes from the classes she took with Dr, Johnson. He was the best and the brightest. My sincerest condolences to his family,
Patrick Burke
June 21, 2017
I took Prof. Johnson's 2 semester Civil War classes in '87-'88. He enthralled the us every class with his knowledge and stories about the war. His class was essentially the Ken Burns' Civil War documentary years before it came out, he was that good. Was he a hard grader? Yup, I received 2 C's, the only C's I received throughout my History major.
Cathy Hitchcock
June 21, 2017
My sincere condolences to his family and friends. It was a privilege to study under him at William and Mary. He was an extraordinary, and revered, teacher and scholar. - Cathy Hitchcock
Jeffery R. Patton, W&M '79
June 21, 2017
Professor Johnson engendered many of my most fondly remembered college experiences, including private talks, fine lectures and vociferous battle re-enactments with Professor Sherman. He was a fine man and an exemplary educator. I offer my most sincere condolences to his family.
dave johnson
June 21, 2017
I had the distinct honor to have studied under Prof. Johnson 1970-1971 as an undergraduate history student and took his comprehensive Civil War full year class/guidance--at the time I had some mild interest in the War but after his class there was no turning back --it has been one of my passions ever since. He made a deep impression on me and was certainly one of my two or 3 favorite and strong teachers while at WandM. Aside from the subject, there was some solid quality about him that pulled me right in. I remember how as an aside how critical he was of the current War at that time, if anyone would suspect he loved war. I am grateful to have known this most fine teacher and friend. Sincerely, Dave Johnson, class of 1972
Martha Jenkins
June 21, 2017
To the family of Professor Johnson: I had Professor Johnson for two semesters at William and Mary, my junior year, I believe, for Civil War and Reconstruction. He was absolutely, without out qualification, the hardest professor I had the whole time I was a William and Mary-and no classes were easy! His exams were absolutely the most difficult of any I ever took. But I learned more from him than any other professor I had, even though I only got a C. His lecture about John Brown will always be a highlight of my college career. I have not seen Professor Johnson since I graduated in 1978. But I will always remember him and how he imbued in me the love of richness of history. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Mark Kehoe
June 21, 2017
To the Johnson family: I am a history major from the W&M class of 1982. Professor Johnson was one of my favorite professors during my time at the college. His civil war course was been the best class I ever took. And by far, the greatest academic day during my 4 years at school, was the bus trip that we took to tour the civil war battlefields around Richmond. I remember that like it was yesterday. My sympathies are extended on the passing of a wonderful man. Mark Kehoe, Woolwich Township, New Jersey.
Kathy Healy Fitzsimmons W&M '87
June 19, 2017
Condolences to Prof Johnson's family on the loss of a great teacher and man.
Although I never enrolled in a class of his, I had heard many speak of him and his enthusiasm for the Civil War and military history. Earlier this evening, I was discussing with my high school age daughter about Prof Johnson. She wanted to know if he were still alive. I looked him up on the internet only to learn the sad news about his passing. I am sure that he is enjoying meeting all of the people whom he inspired so many others to learn about.
May he rest in peace. He has inspired me to start reading some books on the Civil War and I never even had the pleasure of taking his classes.
June 17, 2017
Back in the day Ludwell and I had much interaction. I always looked forward to our conversations. He led an exemplary life and will be missed. Stephen D. Harris-Williamsburg
Kay Wahrsager
June 14, 2017
Professor Johnson once told me that if he had ever caused one student to see the light then he was proud of his work. In a distinguished career I know he helped many though few more than me. He inspired my love of all things Virginian and an abiding love of battlefields and sherry.?
Kevin O'Keefe
June 13, 2017
Professor Johnson was tough on all of us Army ROTC Cadets in his Military History classes (required for our course of study), but his courses were absolutely worth it and opened many eyes. He definitely made an impression upon us who were preparing as military leaders. Rest in Peace. - Kevin O'Keefe Class of '85
June 13, 2017
I only learned of Ludwell's passing today the 13th. The lingering illness he had to endure over the last two decades meant he got out less, and I have long been sorry not to be able to chat with him in the PBK rooms as formerly. Indeed, meeting with him every few weeks was one of the more pleasurable activities of my middle period here. He was one of my three best friends at the College, and he did things to help me from time to time. We saw eye to eye on many matters, and Ludwell was a fine amateur chess player with extensive knowledge of the game's history. I enjoyed answering his occasional questions on games he played with his computer (at that time such were much less strong than now). His mind was one of the fastest and most acute I have known. The catalog of his activities at the College, in the official remembrance, must be one of the most impressive in its history. I am grateful for the chance to have known him. and my deepest sympathy goes to Pam and his other family members. Gary C. DeFotis
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
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