Michael L. Johnson

Michael L. Johnson, 64, of Menlo Park, California, passed away on September 22, 2023.

Mike was born to Lester and Rose Johnson in Rockford, Illinois on May 30, 1959. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1977, received his B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1981, and his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1989. He was married to Kimberly Spengel on June 22, 1985.

Mike began his career at Beatrice Foods and quickly rose in rank in his career at FMC, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Dade Behring; ultimately to the executive suite at Fenwal, Cord Blood Registry, Candela, and MeriCal.

In the early 90s, Mike lived and worked in Fontainebleau, France, which allowed his family to travel extensively in Europe before settling in Bartlett, Illinois. Mike and Kim moved to Menlo Park, California in 2013. He loved their proximity to the wine regions of Northern California. Kim and he took numerous trips to Napa and Sonoma wineries-which he thoroughly documented in an Excel spreadsheet.

Mike enjoyed traveling and hiking through many of the country's National Parks. In 2016, he drove the entirety of Route 66 with Kim in the passenger seat. Mike was an avid reader and student of history throughout his life. He loved his collection of 1960s and 70s music on vinyl.

Mike is dearly loved and will be missed by his wife Kim; his children, Andrew (Emily) Johnson of Danville, California, Nicholas Johnson of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and Emilie Johnson (Mitchell Lochen) of Chicago, Illinois; his sisters, Janis, Kathleen, and Jill Johnson; his brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Ted and Virginia Spengel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mike's name to the National Park Foundation or your local library.