Roy Linton Johnson Jr.

Roy Linton Johnson, Jr. PhD

Roy Linton Johnson Jr., 94, of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025. Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Roy Linton Johnson and Esther Rude Johnson, he grew up in Elmwood, Wisconsin, graduating as valedictorian. He earned a BS, MS, and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

On November 26, 1952, Roy married Helen Ostrander, the love of his life, in Madison, Wisconsin. Together, they shared 73 wonderful years.

Commissioned through ROTC, Roy served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and continued in the Army Reserve, retiring as captain in 1964. After early engineering positions with HNTB in Kansas City and firms in Madison, he joined the University of New Mexico faculty in 1966, rising to full professor and retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1996. He cherished teaching, advised Chi Epsilon, served as Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, and was a longtime Faculty Senate member. He also consulted at Sandia National Laboratories.

Roy and Helen traveled extensively on five continents, later self-publishing three volumes of their adventures with his photographs and her journals. Passionate about Norwegian family genealogy, Roy researched and documented extensive family histories. Roy enjoyed wood carving, rock polishing, jewelry-making, and competing in Senior Olympics, winning two New Mexico discus titles and competing at the Nationals.

A member of St. John's United Methodist Church, he sang bass in the Chancel Choir and Joy Singers.

Roy is survived by his wife Helen; daughters Linnea Sands (James) and Amy Acoya (Garrett); and grandsons Matthew and Luke Sands, and twins Christian and Herschel Acoya, all of Albuquerque.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 10:00 am.