David Lee Johnson M.D.

1945 - 2022

David Lee Johnson, MD
October 12, 2022
Bellingham, Washington - Notice Text:
On October 12th, 2022, Dave died peacefully following a massive bleed in his brain.
He was born in Portland, Oregon on May 21st, 1945, to Roger and Grace Johnson. He graduated from Chelan High School and Pacific Lutheran University. He graduated from the University of Washington Medical School in 1972 followed by a two-year residency at Pittsburgh Children's hospital and one at Seattle Children's Hospital. He joined Northwest Pediatrics in 1975 (later becoming PeaceHealth).
Dave loved being a pediatrician and practiced for 36 years. He was a kind, compassionate, skilled, non-judgmental practitioner. Dave was well known for the winks he gave after a snarky or humorous statement. Dave cherished his office staff and colleagues.
In 1978 Dave married JoAnn Richmond. Their family life with daughters Megan and Annalisa revolved around camping, hiking, backpacking, gardening, sports, and music. Dave loved being home and building trails on his "little slice of heaven." On walks with family and friends, Dave would often talk about the forest and the circle of life in nature. Mountains and rivers fed his spirit.
Fishing and conservation were Dave's great passions. All who knew Dave, knew his penchant for angling, whether it was salmon, trout, or bonefish. His journeys took him from remote coastal mountain streams to desert river canyons. From the rainforest watershed on the Olympic peninsula to the Bight around Crooked Island in the Bahamas.
He fished and explored numerous rivers in the Pacific Northwest with long-time friends. Dave was an active member of North Sound Trout Unlimited and deeply concerned about the future of cold-water fisheries.
Anyone who is interested, may write a memory of Dave, donate, or both at: http://www.northsoundtu.org/blog/in-memory-of-dr-dave-johnson.
Dave was a fighter. After each medical setback he quietly, and without fanfare, worked hard to get back on his trails and return to fishing and the natural world he loved.
Our family is so grateful for decades of skilled help and kindness from his team at the Washington Center for Bleeding Disorders. They pulled him through many tough bleeds. Please consider donating to this amazing organization.
Dave is survived by his wife JoAnn, his daughter Megan and daughter-in-law, Emily, his daughter Annalisa and son-in-law Ryan, his children of the heart Ken and Lessli Putney, and his dear grandchildren Chloe and Tully. And Geordie, his cat, whom he adored. His surviving siblings are Keith Johnson, Luanna Olney, and Chris Johnson.
There will be a celebration of his life at Dave and JoAnn's home on March 18th, 2023, from 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Dave was a good man and we will hold him in our hearts always.