Ralph C. Johnston

Ralph Cameron Johnston, of North Andover, Mass., died Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at the age of 93. He was born in New Kensington, the son of Ethel Cook and Col. Ralph C. Johnston. A 1946 graduate of New Kensington High School, he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ralph spent most of his professional life as a civilian program manager at the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He was awarded the Air Force Exceptional Service medal several times and, in 1986, the presidential rank of Distinguished Executive for his pioneering work in missile capability development. He retired from the Senior Executive Service in 1987 and finished his career as a consultant to the aerospace industry. In 1956, Ralph married Kathleen Barr. Kit died of an unexpected illness in 1991 and, in 1996, Ralph married Margaret Karns. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, daughter, Katherine Notley (Patrick), of Riverside, R.I., son, Douglas (Nina), of Boston, Mass., and Kennebunkport, Maine, grandson, Cameron (Maria), of Boston, granddaughter, Celia, of Boston, cousin, Elaine (Cook) Moore, of Westborough, Mass., and Jo-Anna (Fletcher) Freiman, of Mogadore, Ohio.