Susan Nancy Anderson (1937-2018) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the eldest of three daughters of Alden Clifton Anderson and Thelma Iola Stein Anderson. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957. During graduate school in chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, she met and married Ronald Carl Johnson in 1960. After Susan and Ron completed their Ph.D. studies, they moved to Atlanta. In 1961, Susan became the first woman to teach freshman chemistry at Georgia Tech. Susan then embraced motherhood as a proud parent to daughters Erica and Laura.

Susan pursued a passionate interest in figure skating from age 12. After skating as a child, she was appointed as a figure skating judge in 1955. During a judging career approaching 60 years, she rose through the ranks until she became an International Skating Union (ISU) Championship (world) Judge in 1993. Susan judged figure skating at fourteen U.S. Championships, three World Championships, and the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. Susan co-chaired the first U.S. Figure Skating Championships ever held in Atlanta, in 1980; and also participated in organizing that event's second visit to Atlanta in 2004.

Susan worked part-time in Emory University's Chemistry Department for many years. She was a long-time member of Decatur Presbyterian Church. Susan's other interests included reading, sewing, foreign languages, tennis, duplicate bridge (achieving life-master status), and pet-parenthood to miniature poodle Fitzgerald. Susan died on January 17, 2018 after a long battle with lung disease. She is survived by husband Ron; daughters Erica and Laura; and sisters Judy Hadler and Nancy Tykwinski.

In lieu of flowers Susan requested that any memorials in her honor be made to the U.S. Figure Skating Association, the Atlanta Figure Skating Club or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 on Saturday, February 10 at the Decatur Presbyterian Church. A more detailed obituary is available online at asturner.com.

Johnson, Susan

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Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Susan Johnson

Sponsored by A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.

6 Entries

Rosamund Braunrot

February 6, 2022

Now that I have experienced the anniversary of my father's death, I think I understand how grief seems to ebb, but comes back in waves. I am glad I still have such powerful grief because last year someone sent me something and part of it read, "grief is proof that your love was real," and that has comforted me so much. I hope it comforts you, whenever you feel a wave of loss and emptiness. Love, Rosamund

March 12, 2018

Hello Johnson family,
I have very fond memories of growing up as a playmate of Erica and Laura. I am very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She always made me feel welcomed and was the first person to take me ice skating. One of my most fond memories was when we went skating with Amy Carter. Thank you for all you did.
In my thoughts and prayers,
Susan Burns Kozgus

Rosamund Braunrot

February 5, 2018

What an interesting life, I didn't know Mrs. Johnson was the fist woman to teach Chemistry at Tech. I didn't know, but I am not that surprised because the entire family was always obviously exceptional. I am so sorry for all the people that will miss her. I hope that her daughter, Laura gets some comfort from knowing what a wonderful daughter she always was.

February 5, 2018

So sorry for the death of Susan. May the God of mercy give you the strength, hope, and comfort to sustain you during this time. Hebrew 4:16
Martha
GA

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February 1, 2018

Our condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. Isa 61:1

Trudy Brown

January 28, 2018

II have just heard of Susan's passing.
I wish to extend my condolences to Ron and her daughters.
Memory nourishes the heart, and grief abates .

Trudy Brown

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