Allen H. Johnson M.D.

Allen H. Johnson, M.D. Dr. Allen Johnson, longtime San Jose resident and community leader, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2008 at O'Conner Hospital. He is survived by his loving wife Darlyn; and a wonderful blended family which includes his children: Katie Williams (Dick), Martha Gillespie (Jerry), Beth Riley (Mark), Ken Johnson (Nina); Darlyn's children: Liz Del Plato (Will), Kathy Mazzoni (Michael) and Craig Richardson (Kelli); 16 grandchildren and eight great-grand-children. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Mary, in July 1983. Dr. Johnson was born in Atascadero, CA, January 23, 1922, to Halbert and Julia Johnson. Growing up in Paso Robles, his parents instilled in him a love for the outdoors and music. He graduated from UC Berkeley and remained a loyal Bears fan all his life. He earned his MD from UCSF in 1946. During a rotating internship at University of California, San Francisco General Hospital, under the guidance of Dr. Leon Goldman, he elected to pursue a career in surgery. After one year Allen went into the army for two years and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. In 1952 Allen contracted polio. After a protracted recovery, He returned to surgery, becoming chief resident in 1954. In 1955 Dr. Johnson began private practice in San Jose. He was active in surgical teaching and served as a clinical professor of surgery at Stanford University, a surgical educator in the family practice residency program at San Jose Hospital and a lecturer in the school of nursing at both San Jose Hospital and O'Connor Hospital. He practiced in San Jose for more than 35 years. He served as chief of staff of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and San Jose Hospital. His leadership in his professional and community life is evident by the number of positions he held and honors he received. He was honored as UC San Francisco Alumnus of the Year in 1995; served as governor of the American College of Surgeons; president of the Pacific Coast Surgical Society; president of the Nafziger Society and the California Academy of Medicine. He also participated in a Harvard-sponsored People-to-People surgeon exchange program with China. He was awarded the Legacy Medal from the City of San Jose in 1981; the Community Service Award of the Santa Clara County Medical Association; and the Man and Boy Award of the Boy's Club of Santa Clara County. He also served on the boards of directors for the San Jose Metropolitan YMCA; the central chapter of United Way; the American Red Cross; the Visiting Nurse Association; the Church of the Valley; the San Jose Country Club; the Beethoven Society; and the Institute for Medical Research. He also belonged to Spyglass Hill Golf Club. Allen Johnson was a man of integrity who lived his life with kindness and compassion. He touched the lives of all those who had the privilege to know him with his love of humanity and his devotion to his family. He will be greatly missed. Go Bears! Services will be held Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m., at Church of the Valley, 400 Winchester Rd., Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of San Jose and the YMCA.