Dr. David S. Johnsen

Johnsen, Dr. David S., Fort Lauderdale, Oct. 22 - Dr. David Strand Johnsen, a prominent plastic surgeon and former nationally ranked tennis player died here Oct. 19 after a short illness. He was 81. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dr. Johnsen was brought to the United States by his parents when he was eighteen months old. Dr. Johnsen grew up in Washington, D.C. where his father taught him to play tennis. He was the junior District Champion and won the National Junior Indoor Doubles Championship in 1939. Dr. Johnsen was Captain and number one player for the George Washington University tennis team. He was three times winner of the Middle Atlantic Championship and competed at the US Open Championship, then held at Forest Hills. Dr. Johnsen was ranked in the top 25 on the grass court circuit and competed against all the leading players of the era including world champions Jack Kramer and Frank Parker. According to those who played against him, Johnsen was one of the "old time" sportsmen, generous in victory or defeat, with a good sense of humor and an innate sense of decorum. Dr. Johnsen was graduated from George Washington University and George Washington Medical School in Washington, D.C. Although he wanted to serve in combat during World War II, the Army sent him to the Armed Forces Reconstruction Unit at Valley Forge, PA where he attained the rank of Captain, and for three years operated on returning wounded and disfigured soldiers. At Valley Forge, according to Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon Dr. Vernon Turner, Dr. Johnsen worked with "pioneering giants" in the relatively new field of plastic surgery. Dr. Johnson would often reflect that some of the best years of his career were spent at Valley Forge using his skills to help these young men. Dr. Johnsen returned from the army and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He then returned to Washington where he opened his office. During the next 14 years Dr. Johnsen maintained a successful practice and contributed his time and skills to operate on those who did not have the means to pay for the necessary plastic surgery. Chief among the recipients of his charitable work was the Children's Hospital. Dr. Johnsen moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1963. His associates included Doctors William Hogan, Charles Banura, Vernon Turner, and Richard Ott. He retired in 1990. Dr. Johnsen was a long-standing member of the Edgemoor Tennis Club in Washington, the University Club of Washington, and was one of the first members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. While in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Johnsen was a member of the Lauderdale Yacht Club and the Fort Lauderdale Surgical Society. For his charitable work, he received the J. Lester Holt, Fraternal Order of Police Humanitarian Service Award in 1967. In 1978 he was inducted into the Washington Tennis Hall of Fame. He and his wife of thirty five years, Joanne, were major supporters of many Fort Lauderdale cultural and civic organizations. Dr. Johnsen is the son of R. Strand Johnsen and Selga Christensen Johnsen. He is survived by his wife Joanne Shupert Johnsen; sister Ruth Stockland; two children, David Gregory Johnsen and Paulette J'Sen; three stepchildren, David Quinby, Kipp Davies, Richard Quinby; and four grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Thursday, October 25, at 2 pm at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home, 718 South Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Humane Society. of Broward County, 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, 33312.